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Predicting river water quality in rural area using a watershed scale model

Keywords

Denitrification, geographic information system (GIS), nitrogen loading, simulation model

Project

Monitoring and management of agricultural water quality for green food production

Type

WS - Workshop

Year

2008

Region

Asia (East and Pacific)

ABSTRACT

River water is a major source of agricultural water uses, but the quality of it is not always suitable for the agricultural purpose. Among others, agriculture is considered as a major contributor of nitrogen (N) pollution of river water and is expected to control N emission. However, the mechanism of water pollution by the agriculture is not sufficiently understood. In order to understand the mechanism of controlling N levels in river water, N loadings on watersheds were estimated using the modified pollutant loading unit method and municipal based statistical data by using a geographic information system (GIS). In the case of a less agricultural watershed, the estimated total N loading well reflected the water quality of the river and proved itself as a useful indicator for predicting water quality. However, the estimation was not enough to predict water quality in a more agricultural watershed. Then a simulation model was developed by incorporating both effects of denitrification in the rice paddy and the storage of N in the surface soil in order to explain the apparent loss of N loaded on the watershed. The present model sufficiently explained the river water quality, although uncertainties and possible modification were also discussed.

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