Author
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Appelboom, Timothy |
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Fouss, James |
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Submitted to: American Institute of Hydrology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/16/2006 Publication Date: 5/22/2006 Citation: Appelboom, T.W., Fouss, J.L. 2006. Reduction of Riverine Nitrate Loads Through Field Targeting of Best Management Practices, Placement of Wetlands, and In-Stream Denitrification: A Modeling/Simulation Project. American Institute of Hydrology 25th Anniversary Meeting and International Conference on "Challenges in Coastal Hydrology and Water Quality". ISBN-13:978-1-887201-47-6, 534pp. Book Title: Coastal Environmental and Water Quality, Editors, Y. Jun Xu and Vijay P. Singh. Interpretive Summary: Increased agricultural production has lead to a reduction in water quality. In the case of the Mississippi River Basin increased nutrient loads linked to agricultural production has contributed to the hypoxic (low oxygen) zone along the Louisiana Gulf coast. The objectives of this study are to: 1) gain a better understanding of nitrate nitrogen removal within the streams sediment and wetlands ability to remove nitrate nitrogen derived from agricultural activity in northeastern Louisiana surface waters, 2) incorporate that information into the Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollutant Loading Model (AnnAGNPS) to simulate different placements of best management practices (BMPs) and wetlands within a watershed to both maximize nitrate load reductions at the outlet while minimizing costs. These objectives will be accomplished using the computer simulation model AnnAGNPS along with economic evaluations of each land use scenario applied to the Cabin-Teele sub-watershed in northeastern Louisiana. During each simulation, Best Management Practices and wetland diversions (diversion of stream water into a wetland for nutrient and sediment removal before being diverted back into the main flow channel) will be placed at selected locations within the sub-watershed to determine how their location effects total nitrate load at the outlet. The expected results of this study are to: 1) demonstrate that in-stream denitrification and wetland diversions can reduce agricultural nitrogen loads within the farms drainage network; and 2) demonstrate that modeling is an important tool for prioritizing fields and wetland placements within a watershed to maximize the reduction of agricultural drainage water nitrates while minimizing costs. Technical Abstract: Increased agricultural production has led to a reduction in water quality. In the case of the Mississippi River Basin increased nutrient loads linked to agricultural production has contributed to the hypoxic zone along the Louisiana Gulf coast. The objectives of this study are to: 1) gain a better understanding of in-stream denitrification and wetland functions on reducing agriculture derived nitrate in northeastern Louisiana surface waters, 2) incorporate that information into the Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollutant Loading Model (AnnAGNPS) to simulate different placements of best management practices (BMPs) and wetlands within a watershed to both maximize nitrate load reductions at the outlet while minimizing costs. These objectives will be accomplished using the computer simulation model AnnAGNPS along with economic evaluations of each land use scenario applied to the Cabin-Teele sub-watershed in northeastern Louisiana. During each simulation, BMPs and wetland diversions will be placed at selected locations within the sub-watershed to determine how their location effects total nitrate load at the outlet. The expected results of this study are to: 1) demonstrate that in-stream denitrification and wetland diversions can reduce agricultural nitrogen loads within the farms drainage network; and 2) demonstrate that modeling is an important tool for prioritizing fields and wetland placements within a watershed to maximize the reduction of agricultural drainage water nitrates while minimizing costs. |
