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Research article2008Peer reviewedOpen access

Changes in nutrient leaching and groundwater quality during long-term studies of an arable field on the Swedish south-west coast

Ulen, Barbro; Johansson, Goran; Simonsson, Magnus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term (1977-2004) effects of new agricultural practices and reduced acid rain on drainwater and groundwater chemistry for an intensely cultivated arable field with sandy soil in south-west Sweden. Trends in chemical composition of the drainwater were compared with those of atmospheric deposition and groundwater. A modified crop rotation including catch crops significantly decreased the average concentration of nitrate nitrogen (NO(3)-N) in drainwater from 13.0 to 7.2 mg L(-1). This rotation was also found to be a very effective measure against high NO(3)-N concentrations in shallow groundwater (1.7 m below the soil surface). The degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS) in the subsoil, calculated to be 10% and 9% by two different laboratory methods, corresponded to an average and constant concentration of dissolved reactive phosphate (DRP) in drainwater of 0.006 mg l(-1). Generally lower inputs of acid deposition to the soil were confirmed by a decreasing SO(4)-S trend (by 3% over 24 years) in drainwater. Changes in cropping had reduced the acid load to the soil, while drainwater alkalinity showed a slow but significant positive trend amounting to 0.4% over 24 years.

Keywords

drainwater; groundwater; ionic balance; nutrients; trends; water chemistry

Published in

Hydrology research
2008, Volume: 39, number: 1, pages: 63-77

      SLU Authors

    • Ulen, Barbro

      • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      • Johansson, Göran

        • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        • Simonsson, Magnus

          • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        Sustainable Development Goals

        SDG6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

        UKÄ Subject classification

        Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
        Agricultural Science

        Publication identifier

        DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2008.030

        Permanent link to this page (URI)

        https://res.slu.se/id/publ/17469