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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #371408
Research Project: Improvement of Soil Management Practices and Manure Treatment/Handling Systems of the Southern Coastal Plain

Location: Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research

Title: Modelling instream wetlands impact on nitrogen abatement at the watershed scale using SWAT

Author
item Sohoulande, Clement
item Szogi, Ariel
item Stone, Kenneth

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/7/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The excess of nitrogen in stream networks is a major concern in the United States because it affects aquatic life and disturbs riverine ecosystems. However, a large portion of the nitrogen loadings often originates from non-point sources which are difficult to monitor at the watershed scale. Although constructed instream wetlands are known for their buffer roles, the potential impact of their watershed scale implementations is not sufficiently reported. In this study, a decade data collected from an experimental instream wetland are incorporated into the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model nitrogen concentration in a condition of a large-scale implementation of the instream wetlands technology. A case study of a highly agricultural watershed in North Carolina (41% croplands and high livestock density) is reported. Results portend a significant effect of instream wetlands on riverine water quality control. At the sub-watershed level, the biophysical activities taking place in the instream wetlands cause a significant abatement of the nitrogen concentration.