Abstract
Excess nitrate (NO3−) is a critical problem in agricultural land-use areas, causing eutrophication and hypoxia in surface waters. Diversion of agricultural runoff into saturated buffer zones reduces NO3− loading. This study seeks to understand nitrate concentration, [NO3−], and environmental factor variability in a saturated buffer zone (~0.007 km2) at a site in the USA on a diurnal scale within and among seasons. Between September 2016 and August 2017, groundwater samples were collected hourly for 24 h from an unconfined aquifer 1.5 m below the surface in the saturated buffer zone. Mean daily [NO3−-N] ranged from 2.18 mg/L in the fall to 4.63 mg/L in the summer and varied by a statistically significant difference from spring to fall and from summer to fall. Differences between 24-h maximum and minimum [NO3−-N] were statistically significant within spring, summer, fall, and winter. The occurrence of a sinusoidal [NO3−-N] trend where the timing of maximum and minimum [NO3−-N] coincide with photoperiod indicates that vegetation uptake is a controlling process. NO3− leaching, evapotranspiration, and nitrification were identified as processes controlling [NO3−-N] increases over the 24-h period. The magnitude of difference between daily maximum and minimum [NO3−-N] displayed no correlation with daily average air temperature, solar intensity, or mean daily water temperature. This study demonstrated that variation in [NO3−] exists on seasonal and diurnal time scales; the fluctuations are driven by multiple processes consistent over the 24-h period.
Résumé
L’excès de nitrate (NO3−) est un problème important dans les secteurs agricoles causant l’eutrophication et l’hypoxie des eaux de surface. La dérivation des flux agricoles vers les zones tampons saturées permet de réduire la charge de NO3−. Cette étude cherche à comprendre la variabilité des concentrations en nitrate, [NO3−], et des facteurs environnementaux dans une zone tampon saturée (~0.007 km2) des Etats-Unis d’Amérique à une échelle journalière et saisonnière. Entre septembre 2016 et août 2017, des échantillons d’eau souterraine ont été collectés toutes les 24 heures dans un aquifère libre à une profondeur de 1.5 m au sein d’une zone tampon saturée. La moyenne journalière de [NO3−-N] est comprise entre 2.18 mg/L en automne à 4.63 mg/L en été et varie de manière statistiquement significative entre le printemps et l’automne et entre l’été et l’automne. Les différences entre le maximum et le minimum journalier des concentrations [NO3−-N] est significative statistiquement au printemps, été, automne et hiver. L’occurrence d’une tendance sinusoïdale de [NO3−-N] lorsque le temps entre le maximum et le minimum de [NO3−-N] coïncide avec la photopériode indique que l’absorption par les plantes contrôle le processus. Le lessivage du NO3−, l’évapotranspiration, et la nitrification ont été identifiés comme les processus contrôlant l’augmentation du [NO3−-N] durant une période de 24 heures. L’amplitude de la différence entre les maximum et minimum journaliers de [NO3−-N] ne montre pas de corrélation avec les moyennes journalières de la température de l’air, de l’intensité solaire ou de la température moyenne journalière de l’eau. Cette étude démontre que les variations de [NO3−] existent à des échelles saisonnières et journalières; sur une période de 24 heures, ces fluctuations sont pilotées par de multiples processus.
Resumen
El exceso de nitrato (NO3−) es un problema crítico en las áreas de uso agrícola de la tierra, causando eutrofización e hipoxia en las aguas superficiales. El desvío de la escorrentía agrícola a la zona saturada reduce la carga de NO3−. Este estudio busca comprender la concentración de nitrato [NO3−], y la variabilidad del factor ambiental en una zona saturada (~0.007 km2) en un sitio en los EEUU en una escala diurna dentro y entre la estacional. Entre septiembre de 2016 y agosto de 2017, las muestras de agua subterránea de un acuífero no confinado se recolectaron cada hora durante 24 horas a 1.5 m debajo de la superficie en la zona saturada. La media diaria de [NO3−-N] varió desde 2.18 mg/L en el otoño a 4.63 mg/L en el verano y varió con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa de primavera a otoño y de verano a otoño. Las diferencias entre el máximo de 24 horas y el mínimo de [NO3−-N] fueron estadísticamente significativas en primavera, verano, otoño e invierno. La aparición de una tendencia sinusoidal de [NO3−-N] donde la sincronización del máximo y el mínimo de [NO3−-N] coinciden con el fotoperíodo indica que la captación desde la vegetación es un proceso de control. La lixiviación de NO3−, la evapotranspiración y la nitrificación se identificaron como procesos que controlan los aumentos de [NO3−-N] durante el período de 24 horas. La magnitud de la diferencia entre el máximo diario y el mínimo de [NO3−-N] no mostró correlación con la temperatura media diaria del aire, la intensidad solar o la temperatura media diaria del agua. Este estudio demostró que la variación en [NO3−] existe en escalas de tiempo diurnas y estacionales; las fluctuaciones son impulsadas por múltiples procesos consistentes durante el período de 24 horas.
摘要
在农业土地利用区,过量的硝酸盐(NO3−)是一个关键的问题,会引起地表水体富营养化和氧不足。农业径流转向饱和缓冲带可以降低(NO3−荷载。本研究寻求了解美国一个研究场地内各个季节昼夜尺度上饱和缓冲带内的硝酸盐含量、NO3−、以及环境因素的变化情况。2016年9月至2017年8月,在饱和缓冲带地表之下1.5米处非承压含水层连续24小时每小时收集一次地下水水样。平均日常的[NO3−-N]在秋季为2.18 mg/L,夏季为4.63 mg/L,春季到秋季以及夏季到秋季呈现的重要差异可导致其有所变化。24小时最大和最小[NO3−-N]之间的差异在春季、夏季、秋季和冬季非常大。最大和最小[NO3−-N]时间选择与光周期相符的地方的正弦曲线的[NO3−-N]趋势的出现表明,植被摄取是一个控制过程。NO3− 载荷、蒸发蒸腾以及硝化作用确定为控制[NO3−-N]24小时周期内增长的过程。每日的最大和最小[NO3−-N]之间的差别量级显示,与每日的平均气温、太阳强度、或者平均每日水温没有相互关系。本研究说明,在季节和昼夜尺度上存在着[NO3−]变化;波动受到24小时周期内始终如一的多重过程的控制。
Resumo
O excesso de nitrato (NO3−) é um problema crítico nas áreas de uso agrícola, causando eutrofização e redução de oxigênio nas águas superficiais. O desvio de escoamento superficial em áreas agrícolas para dentro de zonas tampões saturadas reduz a carga de NO3−. Este estudo procura entender a concentração de nitrato, [NO3−], e a variabilidade do fator ambiental em uma zona tampão saturada (~0.007 km2) em um local nos EUA em escala diurna dentro e entre estações do ano. Entre setembro de 2016 e agosto de 2017, amostras de águas subterrâneas foram coletadas a cada hora durante 24 horas a partir de um aquífero não confinado, 1.5 m abaixo da superfície, na zona tampão saturada. A média diária variou de 2.18 mg/L no outono até 4.63 mg/L no verão e variou por uma diferença estatisticamente significativa desde a primavera até o outono e desde o verão até o outono. Diferenças entre as máximas e mínimas [NO3−-N] em 24 horas foram estatisticamente significativas dentro da primavera, verão, outono e inverno. A ocorrência de uma tendência sinusoidal [NO3−-N] em que o tempo de máxima e de mínima [NO3−-N] coincide com o fotoperíodo indica que a absorção da vegetação é um processo controlador. A lixiviação de NO3−, a evapotranspiração e a nitrificação foram identificadas como processos controladores no aumento da [NO3−-N] durante um período de 24 horas. A magnitude da diferença entre a máxima e a mínima [NO3−-N] diária apresenta nenhuma correlação com a média diária da temperatura do ar, intensidade solar ou com a média diária da temperatura da água. Este estudo demonstrou que a variação na [NO3−] existe em escalas de tempo sazonal e diurna; as flutuações são conduzidas por múltiplos processos consistentes durante um período de 24 horas.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Dr. Moutaz Al-Dabbas, Dr. Mohanad Hamid Al-Jaberi and an anonymous reviewer for making constructive suggestions.
Funding
Support for this study was provided by the City of Bloomington (Illinois), the Illinois Water Resource Center (award 079901-16315), the Geological Society of America (Student Research Grant for Miller), and the Illinois Groundwater Association (Student Research Grant for Miller).
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Miller, J., Peterson, E.W. & Budikova, D. Diurnal and seasonal variation in nitrate-nitrogen concentrations of groundwater in a saturated buffer zone. Hydrogeol J 27, 1373–1387 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1907-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1907-y