Factors affecting dissolved phosphorus and nitrate concentrations in ground and surface water for a valley dairy farm in the northeastern United States

Water Environ Res. 2011 Feb;83(2):116-27. doi: 10.2175/106143010x12681059116770.

Abstract

Agriculture often is considered to be a contributor of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and nitrate-N (NO3- -N) to surface waters. This research analyzed SRP and NO3- -N concentrations in groundwater and in a creek fed by groundwater on a valley dairy farm in the Cannonsville basin of the New York City (NYC) watershed. A total of 37 groundwater piezometers were installed to depths of 0.3 to 1.5 m. Water-table depth and concentrations of SRP, NO3- -N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and dissolved oxygen were measured at regular intervals over a three-year period. A multivariate mixed model analysis of variance indicated that the SRP and NO3- -N concentrations were controlled primarily by three classes of variables: environmental variables, including precipitation and water table depth; source variables, including manure applied and crop type; and chemical variables, including DOC and dissolved oxygen concentrations in groundwater. The highest groundwater concentrations of N03- -N and SRP were found at the shallowest water-table depths, which has implications for agricultural nutrient management in areas with shallow groundwater.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Dairying
  • Medicago sativa
  • New York
  • Nitrates / chemistry*
  • Phosphorus / chemistry*
  • Rain
  • Seasons
  • Time Factors
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Supply
  • Zea mays

Substances

  • Nitrates
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Phosphorus