Steffanie Schirren
Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture
Bundesallee 65
38116 Braunschweig
Phone: +49 531 596 2602
Fax: +49 531 596 2699
ak@thuenen.de
Validation of modeled nitrate reduction by the direct measurement of denitrification in groundwater in Northwest German river basins
Denitrification is of great importance for reducing agricultural nitrogen in aquatic systems. For the first time, we apply direct quantification of denitrification in groundwater to validate regional denitrification models.
In Europe, about 20 million tons of nitrogen (N) were applied as mineral and organic fertilizers to agricultural soils. A substantial part of the N input is discharged into surface and ground water providing a significant hazard for water resources.
This nitrogen load can be reduced by denitrification in soils and groundwater. Denitrification is therefore of central importance for the protection of groundwater and of surface waters. Similarly, denitrification is important for the control of emissions of the greenhouse gas N2O from aquatic systems ("indirect N2O emissions").
The aim of the project is to validate existing models for denitrification in soils and groundwater (DENUZ and WEKU, respectively (Kunkel Wendland 1997 and 2006)) by measuring dissolved N2 from denitrification in groundwater (N2/Ar-method). Moreover, the potential lowering of indirect N2O emissions by denitrification in groundwater will be derived from the determined removal of N loads.
Science, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, professionals in the field of water supply, agriculture and environmental protection.
During the project 612 groundwater monitoring wells distributed all over Lower-Saxony, Germany were sampled. Major groundwater parameters are analyzed and quantified. Denitrification elapsed during groundwater residence time is quantified using the N2 / Ar method, which is based on the measurement of gaseous reaction products of denitrification in groundwater samples. At selected groundwater monitoring wells, groundwater age is determined (Helium-Tritium method). From these data, denitrification rates in groundwater as well as nitrate input are derived.
The collected data will be processed in a database and loaded into ArcGIS. The modeled nitrate leaching (DENUZ) and the modeled nitrate reduction on the groundwater flow path (WEKU) are then compared with the project data. Based on this, model adjustments are finally performed.
Concerning the comparison of the N2 / Ar-method with DENUZ:
Concerning the comparison between the N2/Ar-method and WEKU:
11.2011 - 9.2014
Projekt type:
Project status:
finished
hits: 2