Deterioration Of Surface Water Quality Research Articles

Feasibility of the Application of Integrated Stormwater Management for Land-Restricted Lakeside Villages: The Case Study of Portland, Ontario

Many semi-urbanized lakeside villages face the problem of surface water quality deterioration owing to uncontrolled discharge of stormwater or the interaction of onsite wastewater disposal systems with the surface water. Traditional stormwater best management practices (BMPs), such as large-scale detention ponds, may not be feasible solutions for these villages, due to their small size and limited resources. The potential of lot-level stormwater BMPs, as part of a drainage-basin-based stormwater management plan, is investigated for a typical lakeside village in Portland, Ontario. HEC-HMS is used to estimate the optimum baseline storage of stormwater for the existing drainage basin. The effectiveness of rear yard ponding is obtained by comparing the integrated onsite storage provided by all applicable lots in the village to the baseline storage required. The movement of phosphorus is monitored at a typical lot to investigate the potential of enhanced flushing of subsurface wastewater effluent by ponded stormwater. Results from this study indicate that lot-level BMPs on their own will not provide much reduction in runoff volumes; however, they may form part of a larger integrated management plan once other potential issues with their implementation (including the possible flushing of wastewater constituents into the groundwater) are also addressed. This study does provide some useful information for water managers, as they seek solutions to water servicing issues in these small settings.

A comparison of SWAT, HSPF and SHETRAN/GOPC for modelling phosphorus export from three catchments in Ireland

Recent extensive water quality surveys in Ireland revealed that diffuse phosphorus (P) pollution originating from agricultural land and transported by runoff and subsurface flows is the primary cause of the deterioration of surface water quality. P transport from land to water can be described by mathematical models that vary in modelling approach, complexity and scale (plot, field and catchment). Here, three mathematical models (soil water and analysis tools (SWAT), hydrological simulation program–FORTRAN (HSPF) and système hydrologique Européen TRANsport (SHETRAN)/grid oriented phosphorus component (GOPC)) of diffuse P pollution have been tested in three Irish catchments to explore their suitability in Irish conditions for future use in implementing the European Water Framework Directive. After calibrating the models, their daily flows and total phosphorus (TP) exports are compared and assessed. The HSPF model was the best at simulating the mean daily discharge while SWAT gave the best calibration results for daily TP loads. Annual TP exports for the three models and for two empirical models were compared with measured data. No single model is consistently better in estimating the annual TP export for all three catchments.

Phosphorus Leaching from Cow Manure Patches on Soil Columns

The loss of P in overland flow or leachate from manure patches can impair surface water quality. We studied leaching of P from 10-cm-high lysimeters filled with intact grassland soil or with acid-washed sand. A manure patch was created on two grassland and two sand-filled lysimeters, and an additional two grass lysimeters served as blanks. Lysimeters were leached in the laboratory during 234 d with a diluted salt solution, and column effluent was passed through a 0.45-microm filter, analyzed for pH, dissolved reactive P (DRP), and total dissolved P (TDP). At the end of the experiment lysimeter soil was sampled and analyzed for pH, available P, and oxalate-extractable P, Fe, and Al. The concentration of TDP in the effluent from the sand column increased to 25 mg L-1 during the first weeks and remained above 10 mg L-1 during the rest of the percolation. In effluent from grass + patch lysimeters TDP gradually increased to 4 mg L-1. Both in the manure and in the effluent of the sand lysimeter P was found mainly in the form of DRP, but in the effluent from the grass lysimeters was found mainly as dissolved unreactive P (DUP=TDP-DRP). Earthworm activity was responsible for decomposition of the manure patch on the grass lysimeters. Manure patches and their remains were found to be a long-term source of high concentrations of P in leachates. Spreading of patches after a grazing period could reduce their possible negative impacts on the environment.

Tall Fescue Fertilized with Alum-Treated and Untreated Broiler Litter: Runoff, Soil, and Plant Nutrient Content

ABSTRACT Land application of poultry litter as fertilizer may lead to impaired surface and ground water quality. An experiment was conducted at Crossville, AL to study the effects of alum [Al2(SO4)3 · 14H2O] treatment of broiler litter on the yield and nutrient uptake of tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) and the nutrient content of runoff water exited from treated plots. Alum was used at the rate of 0, 545 and 1090 kg per 1464 m2 (12 m × 122 m) of the poultry house. The low rate is the one recommended by Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama. Soil samples were collected from the research plots at the beginning of the experiment and at the end of each growing season from 0–7.5, 7.6–15, and 16–30 cm depth. Runoff samples were collected from each plot after each rainfall event that caused runoff. Alum treatments had no effect on tall fescue dry matter yield, and the herbage nutrient concentrations were within acceptable limits. We observed significant reductions in the runoff concentrations of NH4-N (28.6 mg L−1 for untreated litter vs. 15.0 mg L−1 for alum-treated litter), total P (11.5 mg L−1 vs. 5.1 mg L−1), soluble reactive P (10.4 mg L−1 vs. 4.7 mg L−1), and particulate P (1.9 mg L−1 vs. 0.8 mg L−1). This practice should receive serious consideration as a method of reducing the adverse environmental impact of broiler chicken production when the litter is applied to pasture land.

Nutrient, Sediment, and Bacterial Losses in Overland Flow from Pasture and Cropping Soils Following Cattle Dung Deposition

The loss of phosphorus (P), suspended sediment (SS), ammonia (NH4 +‐N), nitrate (NO3 −‐N), and Escherichia coli in overland flow (OF) from dairy cattle dung can impair surface water quality. However, the risk of P and N loss from grazed pastures varies with time. Current practice in southern New Zealand is to select a field, cultivate, sow in Brassica spp., and graze in winter to save remaining pasture from damage. This deposits dung when soil is wet and OF likely. Hence, we determined P, NH4 +‐N, NO3 −‐N, and E. coli loss from dung in OF via simulated rainfall from intact grazed pasture and cropland treatments of a soil. Analysis of OF, 0, 1, 4, 11, 24, and 43 days after dung deposition at the upslope end of soil boxes indicated that total P (TP), NH4 +‐N, and SS concentrations decreased sharply from day zero and leveled out after 11 days. More particulate P and SS were lost from the cultivated than pasture treatment, whereas the reverse occurred for dissolved organic P because of greater sorption of phytase active materials. Escherichia coli losses were high (1×105 100 mL−1) in both treatments throughout. Using the equations of fit in an example field site indicated that management of dung deposition could affect up to 25–33% of TP lost in OF.

Reservoirs' siltation measurments and sediment transport assessment in the Czech Republic, the Vrchlice catchment study

Sediment transport from agricultural land into rivers and reservoirs is a problem within the Czech Republic. This problem was highly accelerated almost 50 years ago during the communist period. At that time strong collectivization was undertaken leading to destruction of traditional landscape patterns, surface outflow, erosion processes intensification and surface water quality deterioration. Thirteen years after political changes erosion problems remain. At the Department of Irrigation, Drainage and Landscape Engineering at the CTU Prague there has been continuous research undertaken in the field of erosion and sediment transport assessment. There are several modelling tools available for this purpose. One of them—USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation) is commonly used in the Czech Republic for many years at a plot-scale but modern GIS (geographical information systems) tools in computer science allow using it at larger scales. Very important is the validation of this model for two-dimensional topography and GIS routines. Moreover USLE produces only local erosion amount values and has to be completed by another tool to get sediment amounts. For this purpose SDR (sediment delivery ratio) is usually used, applying a lumped approach—total erosion of every watershed is reduced by SDR and by pond’s trapping efficiency. Another available approach is using the Watem/SEDEM model that puts together RUSLE (Revised USLE) and a distributive approach to sediment transport modelling. This has already been used for estimating sediment amount in several catchments of the Czech Republic, but has to be validated as well. At the Dept. of Drainage, Irrigation and Landscape Engineering there are datasets of sediment amount from different reservoirs available and other reservoirs are to be measured soon. As the dataset of various watersheds is expanded, a methodology for sediment amount measurements is needed. The main objective of this paper is to propose a simple methodology to measure the sediment amount within reservoirs as well as to present a review of available methods. The application of the methodology at Vrchlice Catchments (97 km 2) case study is presented. Total sediment amounts between 125 000∼140 000 m 3 were measured in Vrchlice reservoir and values of 110 976 m 3 (using USLE), resp. 105833 m 3 (using Watem/SEDEM) were predicted by the erosion models. For catchments of this scale it is a sufficient validation.

Assessing the bioavailability of dissolved organic phosphorus in pasture and cultivated soils treated with different rates of nitrogen fertiliser

A proportion of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) in soil leachates is readily available for uptake by aquatic organisms and, therefore, can represent a hazard to surface water quality. A study was conducted to characterise DOP in water extracts and soil P fractions of lysimeter soils (pasture before and after, and cultivated soil after leaching to simulate a wet winter–autumn) from a field trial. Data on DOP in drainage waters from the field trial were also generated. In water extracts, used as a surrogate for soil solution and drainage water, 70–90% of the total dissolved P (TDP) concentration was made up of DOP, of which 40% was hydrolysable by phosphatase enzymes. Proportions of hydrolysable DOP to TDP in drainage waters of the field trial were less than in water extracts due to enhanced DRP loss via dung inputs, but still large at 35% of DOP. Analysis of lysimeter soils by sequential fractionation indicated that several organic P fractions changed with land use and due to leaching. Further investigation using NaOH–EDTA extracts and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated that the greatest changes were a decrease in the concentrations of orthophosphate diester P and an increase in orthophosphate monoester P. This was attributed to mineralization by cultivation and plant roots and also to the leaching of mobile diester P. This study suggests that in such soils with a dynamic soil organic P pool, the concentration of readily bioavailable P in soil solution and drainage waters and the potential to impair surface water quality cannot be determined from the DRP concentration alone.

Phosphorus in Fresh and Dry Dung of Grazing Dairy Cattle, Deer, and Sheep

Knowledge of phosphorus (P) fractions in dung of animals (dairy cattle, deer, sheep) grazing pasture is important for soil fertility and the potential for P transport in runoff and subsequent surface water quality deterioration. We used sequential fractionation and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine P forms in fresh and air-dried (to simulate field conditions during grazing) dung. Sheep dung was richest in P (8 g kg(-1)), and cattle dung poorest (5.5 g kg(-1)). Data for sequential fractionation indicated that most P was extractable by water (15-36%) and bicarbonate (36-45%) in fresh dung, and shifted toward recalcitrant, HCl (12-28%), and residual P forms (15-31%) with drying. Organic P concentration in dung was poor (maximum of 15% of total P), probably due to the poor concentration of phytate in pasture. The 31P NMR spectra of NaOH-EDTA extracts supported this by detecting a low concentration of monoesters (9-19% of total P in extracts), of which phytate is a major component. The 31P NMR data also showed that changes in organic P concentration with drying could be due to the degradation of diesters. Data indicate the decreasing bioavailability of dairy cattle, deer, and sheep dung with drying and the need to consider this effect with respect to P returns for soil fertility and the potential for runoff.

The effectiveness of coal fly-ash to decrease phosphorus loss from grassland soils

Phosphorus (P) loss from soils can impair surface water quality. A study was conducted to test the efficacy of fly-ash to decrease phosphorus loss in 11 grassland soils. A preliminary toxicity and leaching experiment indicated that heavy metal concentrations (As, Cd, Pb, Se) in leachate and pasture from a soil treated with ash up to 50 mg/kg were not different from the control (unamended soil). Heavy metal concentrations in the ash were generally below limits for maximum concentrations in soil. Following incubation of fly ash at a rate of 20 mg/kg for 3 months with 11 grassland soils packed into boxes, overland flow was generated by simulated rainfall on each boxed soil. Analysis of overland flow indicated that in 2 semi-arid soils, P loss decreased due to decreased particulate P (PP) loss and low organic C concentration (<20 g/kg) that facilitated soil dispersion and slaking and increased soil strength. However, in 4 other soils (including 3 volcanic-ash soils with organic C >70 g/kg), P loss increased due to increased soil pH from 6 to 7 where P is most soluble. In all soils, despite an increase in P in recalcitrant soil P fractions, increased soil pH stimulated soil C and P mineralisation (decreased organic C by, on average, 4.1 g/kg), decreased soil organic P, and increased inorganic P in labile fractions. It is concluded that the application of fly-ash from this source should not be used as an amendment to decrease P loss in pastures where soil pH is commonly <6.0, but could provide useful both as a supplement to lime and in mitigating P loss in cropping soils.

ENHANCING FECAL COLIFORM TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD MODELS THROUGH BACTERIAL SOURCE TRACKING1

ABSTRACT: Surface water impairment by fecal coliform bacteria is a water quality issue of national scope and importance. In Virginia, more than 400 stream and river segments are on the Commonwealth's 2002 303(d) list because of fecal coliform impairment. Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) will be developed for most of these listed streams and rivers. Information regarding the major fecal coliform sources that impair surface water quality would enhance the development of effective watershed models and improve TMDLs. Bacterial source tracking (BST) is a recently developed technology for identifying the sources of fecal coliform bacteria and it may be helpful in generating improved TMDLs. Bacterial source tracking was performed, watershed models were developed, and TMDLs were prepared for three streams (Accotink Creek, Christians Creek, and Blacks Run) on Virginia's 303(d) list of impaired waters. Quality assurance of the BST work suggests that these data adequately describe the bacteria sources that are impairing these streams. Initial comparison of simulated bacterial sources with the observed BST data indicated that the fecal coliform sources were represented inaccurately in the initial model simulation. Revised model simulations (based on BST data) appeared to provide a better representation of the sources of fecal coliform bacteria in these three streams. The coupled approach of incorporating BST data into the fecal coliform transport model appears to reduce model uncertainty and should result in an improved TMDL.

Alum Treatment of Poultry Litter

While the poultry industry is a major economic benefit to several areas in the USA, land application of poultry litter to recycle nutrients can lead to impaired surface and ground water quality. Amending poultry litter with alum [Al3(SO4)2 x 14H2O] has received considerable attention as a method of economically reducing ammonia volatilization in the poultry house and soluble phosphorus in runoff waters. The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of alum on broiler litter decomposition and N dynamics under laboratory conditions. Litter that had been amended with alum in the poultry house after each of the first four of five flock cycles (Experiment I) and litter that had been amended with alum after removal from a poultry house after the third flock cycle (Experiment II) were compared with unamended litter in separate studies. The litters in Experiment I were surface-applied to simulate application to grasslands, while the litters in Experiment II were incorporated to simulate application to conventionally tilled crops. The only statistically significant differences in decomposition due to alum occurred early in Experiment II and the differences were small. The only statistically significant differences in net N mineralization, soil inorganic N, and soil NH4+-N in either experiment was found in Experiment I after 70 d of incubation where soil inorganic N was significantly greater for the alum treatment. Thus, alum had little effect on decomposition or N dynamics. Results of many of the studies on litter not amended with alum should be applicable to litters amended with alum to reduce P availability.

Effects of acidic deposition on forest and aquatic ecosystems in New York State

Acidic deposition is comprised of sulfuric and nitric acids and ammonium derived from atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia, respectively. Acidic deposition has altered soil through depletion of labile pools of nutrient cations (i.e. calcium, magnesium), accumulation of sulfur and nitrogen, and the mobilization of elevated concentrations of inorganic monomeric aluminum to soil solutions in acid-sensitive areas. Acidic deposition leaches essential calcium from needles of red spruce, making this species more susceptible to freezing injury. Mortality among sugar maples appears to result from deficiencies of nutrient cations, coupled with other stresses such as insect defoliation or drought. Acidic deposition has impaired surface water quality in the Adirondack and Catskill regions of New York by lowering pH levels, decreasing acid-neutralizing capacity, and increasing aluminum concentrations. Acidification has reduced the diversity and abundance of aquatic species in lakes and streams. There are also linkages between acidic deposition and fish mercury contamination and eutrophication of estuaries.

Land use and stream nitrogen concentrations in agricultural watersheds along the central coast of California.

In coastal California nitrogen (N) in runoff from urban and agricultural land is suspected to impair surface water quality of creeks and rivers that discharge into the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. However, quantitative data on the impacts of land use activities on water quality are largely limited to unpublished reports and do not estimate N loading. We report on spatial and temporal patterns of N concentrations for several coastal creeks and rivers in central California. During the 2001 water year, we estimated that the Pajaro River at Chittenden exported 302.4 Mg of total N. Nitrate-N concentrations were typically <1 mg N l–1 in grazing lands, oak woodlands, and forests, but increased to a range of 1 to 20 mg N l–1 as surface waters passed through agricultural lands. Very high concentrations of nitrate (in excess of 80 mg N l–1) were found in selected agricultural ditches that received drainage from tiles (buried perforated pipes). Nitrate concentrations in these ditches remained high throughout the winter and spring, indicating nitrate was not being flushed out of the soil profile. We believe unused N fertilizer has accumulated in the shallow groundwater through many cropping cycles. Results are being used to organize landowners, resource managers, and growers to develop voluntary monitoring and water quality protection plans.

Water quality changes in a small plain agricultural catchment area

Anthropogenic activities in a catchment area influence in a most direct way the surface water quality. Detailed studies of the factors of all production processes in the catchment enable establishing the degree of their possible individual participation in the pollution of that region, which is the first step in finding out the way of its appropriate protection. Such a study we carried out on the example of the Krivaja catchment area (the river Krivaja and the reservoir Zobnatica), in the north of Yugoslavia during the 1980–1992 period. The analysis encompassed natural characteristics of the soil and production activities in the region, which is characterized by numerous point and nonpoint pollution sources. Surface water quality was assessed on the basis of their physical and chemical properties. Besides, inorganic forms of nutrients, first of all nitrogen, were also analyzed. The results indicate deterioration of surface water quality in the catchment during the investigated period. In view of the fact that the state of point pollution sources did not change during the investigation, it is quite clear that nonpoint pollution, having mainly the origin in agricultural production, were the main cause of deterioration of surface water quality.

Water quality changes in a small plain agricultural catchment area

Anthropogenic activities in a catchment area influence in a most direct way the surface water quality. Detailed studies of the factors of all production processes in the catchment enable establishing the degree of their possible individual participation in the pollution of that region, which is the first step in finding out the way of its appropriate protection. Such a study we carried out on the example of the Krivaja catchment area (the river Krivaja and the reservoir Zobnatica), in the north of Yugoslavia during the 1981–1992 period. The analysis encompassed natural characteristics of the soil and production activities in the region, which is characterized by numerous point and nonpoint pollution sources. Surface water quality was assessed on the basis of their physical and chemical properties. Besides, inorganic forms of nutrients, first of all nitrogen, were also analyzed. The results indicate deterioration of surface water quality in the catchment during the investigated period. In view of the fact that the state of point pollution sources did not change during the investigation, it is quite clear that nonpoint pollution, having mainly the origin in agricultural production, were the main cause of deterioration of surface water quality.

The impacts of agricultural chemicals on ground water quality

The accelerated use of agricultural chemicals over the past 20 to 30 years has profitably increased production but has also had an adverse impact on ground water quality in many of the major agricultural areas of the world. The pollution of ground water, related to nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides, from widespread, routine land application, as well as point sources has become a serious concern. Ground water contributions also impair surface water quality. Research, worldwide, has shown rates of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) increases in ground water typically between 0.1 to 1.9 mg/l per year for 10 to 20 years, concurrent with major increases in nitrogen fertilization. Many shallow ground water supplies now exceed the recommended NO3-N drinking water standards. While many sources contribute nitrogen into the environment, synthetic fertilizers have become the major component. There are clear economic incentives to improve management; harvested crops often account for less than 50% of the purchased fertilizer inputs. Pesticides are appearing in ground water with unanticipated frequency, typically in 0.1 to 10.0 μg/l concentrations. While these concentrations are well below acute toxic levels (for most pesticides), many are of concern for possible chronic effects. Such widespread pollution is of real concern because of the potential for long-term and widespread exposure to the public of toxic substances through drinking water. While there are many uncertainties, agriculture must move forward toward solutions through better management.