Estimation of nitrate load from septic systems to surface water bodies using an ArcGIS-based software

Nitrate, as a commonly identified groundwater and surface water pollutant, poses serious threats to human health and the environment. One important source of nitrate in the environment is due to wastewater treatment using Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) (a.k.a., septic systems). To facilitate water resources and environmental management, an ArcGIS-Based Nitrate Load Estimation Toolkit (ArcNLET) is developed to simulate nitrate transport and estimate nitrate load from septic systems and collocated fertilizer applications in groundwater to surface water bodies. It is a screening tool based on a simplified conceptual model of groundwater flow and nitrate transport. It is used in this study to estimate nitrate load from thousands of septic systems to surface water bodies in two neighborhoods located in Jacksonville, FL, USA, where nitrate due to septic systems is believed to be one of the reasons of nutrient enrichment and an isotope study indicates that denitrification is significant. A global sensitivity analysis is performed to identify critical parameters for model calibration, and the most critical parameter is the first-order decay coefficient used to simulate the denitrification process. Hydraulic conductivities at different soil zones have different levels of influence on simulated nitrate concentrations at different locations. By manually adjusting model parameters, simulated shapes of water table and nitrate concentration agree reasonably with average field observations, suggesting that ArcNLET is able to simulate spatial variability of field observations. Estimated nitrate loads exhibit spatial variability, which is useful to facilitate decisions on the conversion of OSTDS into sewers in certain areas for reducing nitrate load from septic systems to surface water bodies.     

Simulation of spatial and temporal trends in nitrate concentrations at the regional scale in the Upper Dyle basin,Belgium

Models are the only tools capable of predicting the evolution of groundwater systems at a regional scale, by taking into account a large amount of information. This study presents the association of a water balance model (WetSpass) with a groundwater flow and solute transport model (SUFT3D, saturated and unsaturated flow and transport in 3D) in order to simulate the present and future groundwater quality in terms of nitrate in the Upper Dyle basin (439 km²) Belgium. The HFEMC (hybrid finite element mixing cell) method implemented in the SUFT3D code is used to model groundwater flow and nitrate transport. Spatially distributed recharge, modelled with WetSpass, is considered for prescribing the recharge to the groundwater flow model. The feasibility of linking the WetSpass model with the finite-elements SUFT3D code is demonstrated. Time evolution and distribution of nitrate concentration are then simulated using the calibrated model. Nitrate inputs are spatially distributed according to land use. The spatial simulations and temporal trends are compared with previously published data on this aquifer and show good results.     

Modeling effects of nitrate from non-point sources on groundwater quality in an agricultural watershed in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Intensification of potato farming has contaminated groundwater with nitrate in many cases in Prince Edward Island, Canada, which raises concerns for drinking water quality and associated ecosystem protection. Numerical models were developed to simulate nitrate-N transport in groundwater and enhance understanding of the impacts of farming on water quality in the Wilmot River watershed. Nitrate is assumed non-reactive based on δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O in nitrate and geochemical information. The source functions were reconstructed from tile drain measurements, N budget and historical land-use information. The transport model was calibrated to long-term nitrate-N observations in the Wilmot River and verified against nitrate-N measurements in two rivers from watersheds with similar physical conditions. Simulations show groundwater flow is stratified and vertical flux decreases exponentially with depth. While it would take several years to reduce the nitrate-N in the shallow portion of the aquifer, it would take several decades or even longer to restore water quality in the deeper portions of the aquifer. Elevated nitrate-N concentrations in base flow are positively correlated with potato cropping intensity and significant reductions in nitrate-N loading are required if the nitrate level of surface water is to recover to the standard in the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines.     

Solute transport modelling for assessing the duration of river flow to improve the groundwater quality in an intensively irrigated deltaic region

Groundwater modelling is an important management tool to study the behaviour of aquifer system under various hydrological stresses. Present study was carried out in deltaic regions of the Cauvery river, with an objective of estimating the minimum river flow required to improve the groundwater quality by numerical modelling. Cauvery river delta is the most productive agricultural plains of south India, but the agricultural activities during the last few decades have decreased due to limited flow in the river and increasing concentration of solutes in groundwater in the eastern parts. In order to understand the causes for increasing concentration, a three-layered finite-difference flow model was formulated to simulate the groundwater head and solute transport. The model was used to simulate the groundwater flow and solute transport for 5 years from July 2007 to June 2012. There was a fairly good agreement between the computed and observed groundwater heads. The chloride and nitrate ions were considered for solute transport modelling. Observed and simulated temporal variation in chloride and nitrate concentrations were comparable. The simulated solute concentrations from July 2007 to June 2012 showed an accumulation of solutes in groundwater of coastal part of the study area. The model was used to find the flow to be maintained in the river and rainfall recharge required to flush the ions into the sea. This can be achieved by maintaining minimal flow in the river and through regulation of fertilizer use as well as by creating awareness of sustainable use of groundwater in this area.     

Nitrate vertical transport and simulation in soils of rocky desertification in Karst regions,Southwest China

The characteristics of nitrate vertical transport in soils collected from Libo and Puding in Guizhou Province were studied by simulating soil column in laboratory. The results were as follows: (1) Vertical transport velocity of nitrate decreased, and the breakthrough curves (BTCs) of nitrate were more dispersed, in each horizon from surface layer to bottom layer in every soil profile. As rocky desertification progressed, the BTCs experienced a gentle up and down trend, and tailing was more obvious. (2) An analytical solute transport model (CXTFIT 2.0) was used to estimate nitrate dispersion coefficient (D) and average pore water velocity (V) from the observed BTCs. The results showed that CXTFIT 2.0 model was suitable in fitting the nitrate transport in these soils. The dispersion coefficient was found to be a function of average pore water velocity. (3) The transport of nitrate was mainly affected by the soil structural coefficient. As soil structural coefficient decreased, nitrate outflow was retarded, and the peak concentration was reduced. Soil bulk density, organic matter, and clay also affected the vertical transport of nitrate. Low bulk density, clay content, and high organic matter content were each associated with faster nitrate transport.     

Modeling coupled unsaturated and saturated nitrate distribution of the aquifer Westliches Leibnitzer Feld, Austria

The aquifer Westliches Leibnitzer Feld, Austria, is a significant resource for regional and supraregional drinking water supply for more than 100,000 inhabitants, but the region also provides excellent agricultural conditions. This dual use implicates conflicts (e.g., non-point source groundwater pollution by nitrogen leaching), which have to be harmonized for a sustainable coexistence. At the aquifer scale, numerical models are state-of-the-art tools to simulate the behavior of groundwater quantity and quality and serve as decision support system for implementing groundwater protecting measures. While fully and iteratively coupled simulation models consider feedback between the saturated and unsaturated zone, sandy soil conditions and groundwater depths beneath the root zone allow the use of a unidirectional sequential coupling of the unsaturated water flow and nitrate transport model SIMWASER/STOTRASIM with FEFLOW for the investigation area. Considering separated inputs of water and nitrogen into groundwater out of surface water bodies, agricultural, residential and forested areas, first simulation results match observed groundwater tables, but underestimate nitrate concentrations in general. Thus, multiple scenarios assuming higher nitrogen inputs at the surface are simulated to converge with measured nitrate concentrations. Preliminary results indicate that N-input into the groundwater is strongly dominated by contributions of agricultural land.     

GMS模型的水文水质模拟应用研究

GMS模型是应用广泛的地下水水文模拟系统。以昆山市某古镇为研究区域,采用GMS模型对其水文水质进行模拟研究。通过用概化方法建立水文地质概念模型和数学模型,用反演迭代方法矫正模型的主要参数等过程,分别用MODFLOW和MT3DMS模块模拟和预测了研究区水文水质状况和污染物迁移趋势。数据对比结果显示,模拟值与检测值基本一致,表明校正后的GMS模型能较好再现地下水流系统特征,并能应用于流域污染物扩散过程的模拟和预测中,对地下水污染物的迁移趋势进行分析,以便及时采取有效措施控制污染源。     

Modeling anthropogenic boron in groundwater flow and discharge at Volusia Blue Spring (Florida,USA)

Volusia Blue Spring (VBS) is the largest spring along the St. Johns River in Florida (USA) and the spring pool is refuge for hundreds of manatees during winter months. However, the water quality of the spring flow has been degraded due to urbanization in the past few decades. A three-dimensional contaminant fate and transport model, utilizing MODFLOW-2000 and MT3DMS, was developed to simulate boron transport in the Upper Florida Aquifer, which sustains the VBS spring discharge. The VBS model relied on information and data related to natural water features, rainfall, land use, water use, treated wastewater discharge, septic tank effluent flows, and fertilizers as inputs to simulate boron transport. The model was calibrated against field-observed water levels, spring discharge, and analysis of boron in water samples. The calibrated VBS model yielded a root-mean-square-error value of 1.8 m for the head and 17.7 μg/L for boron concentrations within the springshed. Model results show that anthropogenic boron from surrounding urbanized areas contributes to the boron found at Volusia Blue Spring.     

Pollutant transport in a shallow unconfined aquifer in Perry,Ohio

The groundwater system in northern Perry Township in Lake County, Ohio, is a shallow, unconfined aquifer consisting of periglacial lake beach deposits and less permeable lacustrine plain deposits. Groundwater flow is generally toward Lake Erie from south to north and is controlled by the top of the Ashtabula Till, but strong, local variations are caused by northward flowing streams During the study period, water levels in most wells exhibited a seasonal fluctuation of less than 0 3 m from their mean values. The areal distributions of chloride and nitrate concentrations indicate that road salt runoff easily infiltrates the aquifer and that nitrate may be sourced from fertilizer application. Ground-water flow and solute transport models indicate that in excess of 27 years are required to obtain chemical steady-state under hydrologic steady-state conditions. The simulations also demonstrate that nitrate loading must occur in more than one cultivated field in order to obtain the observed wide-spread nitrate distribution.     

一维水质模型结合改进的输出系数法在流域非点源污染负荷估算中的应用

非点源污染是导致流域水体水质恶化的关键污染来源之一,为了估算流域非点源污染负荷,本文提出将一维水质模型应用于分离监测断面点源污染负荷和非点源污染负荷的方法,并结合了改进的输出系数法,以COD_Mn和NH₃-N为代表性指标,将该模型应用于潮河下游流域,并与传统的水文分割法结合改进的输出系数法估算非点源污染负荷的结果进行对比。结果表明,一维水质模型结合改进的输出系数法估算流域非点源COD_Mn和NH₃-N污染负荷模拟值的纳什系数均在0.800以上,具有良好的模拟精度,同时避免了水文分割法无法较好地模拟枯水期非点源污染负荷的弊端。该方法在运用SWAT（soil and water assessment tool）模型预测得到水文数据的情况下,能够预测流域非点源污染负荷,作为SWAT模型对COD模拟的补充。     

利用SWMM模型模拟岩溶峰丛洼地系统降雨径流过程——以桂林丫吉试验场为例

文章以桂林丫吉试验场为例,验证是否可以利用SWMM模型模拟以管道为主的岩溶峰丛洼地系统降雨径流过程。以洼地为单元,把研究区概化为由管道相连的6个次级汇水流域,选择Green-Amp入渗计算方法,同时考虑包气带裂隙水对管道的补给,运行SWMM模型计算出研究区管道总出口S31泉的流量曲线。结果显示：模拟流量变化过程与实测流量变化过程基本一致。说明该模型可以用来模拟岩溶峰丛洼地地区降雨径流过程。经验证,模拟时段内S31泉总量相对误差为19.1%。     

Changes in irrigation management and quantity and quality of drainage water in a traditional irrigated land

Irrigated agriculture allows for the increase of agrarian yields and stability in food supply and raw materials, being, at the same time, responsible for the reduction of water resources availability and for the pollution by salts and nitrate. This work aims to analyze the impact of changes in irrigation management (establishment of an on-demand flood irrigated system, assignment of irrigation allowances and water payment for surface and irrigation water consumption) in a traditional irrigated land on drainage flow, electrical conductivity and nitrate concentration in irrigation return flows between the year 2001 and the period 2005–2008. Changes in water management significantly modified quantity (lower drainage) and quality (electrical conductivity and nitrate) of irrigation return flows, keeping similar evolution paths during the year with water ameliorants in summer due to the use of good irrigation water quality. Salinity in irrigation return flows is not a current problem in the area as electrical conductivity values in water did not exceed the limit established for water used in irrigation or intended for human consumption. Despite the fact that changes in irrigation management and crop distribution have reduced nitrate concentrations in irrigation return flows by 43 %, the water still presents nitrate values exceeding the 50 mg NO₃ ^?/l. Thus, nitrate remains as the main agro-environmental problem in this irrigation area. However, the nitrate concentration trends detected in this work mark the possibility of reaching nitrate values below 50 mg NO₃ ^?/l in the case of maintenance of the conditions in this agricultural system.     

官厅水库水质模型研究

根据官厅水库狭长、水浅和水文、水力、水质迁移扩散等特点与河流相似的事实,采用一维St.Venant方程组模拟其水流状况;采用完全混合反应器概念模拟其水质变化,两者的藕合就构成了官厅水库的水质模型。该模型在模拟官厅水库NH₃-N浓度时空变化时,精度令人满意,并已用于官厅水库的水质预测和水质管理。     

Simulation of polychlorinated biphenyls transport in the vadose zone

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the main constituents of clophen (the liquid of the electric transformers and capacitors) and have been characterized as potential human carcinogens. PCBs can be a hazardous contaminant of soil and groundwater. We used the mathematical model variably saturated 2D flow and transport (VS2DT model) to simulate the transport of PCBs from the soil surface to groundwater for a time period of 30 years. We also used a mathematical model to simulate the colloid-facilitated PCB transport, under saturated flow conditions. The results showed that PCBs dissolved in water cannot be transported to large depths in unsaturated soils, because of their strong sorption onto soil and low solubility in water. For soils with very low or no organic matter content, PCB transport is much faster and the probability of groundwater contamination is much higher. PCBs can partition to colloids originating from dissolved organic matter in groundwater. Colloid-facilitated PCB transport is faster compared to PCB transport in aqueous solution with no colloids present.     

Simulation of nitrogen and phosphorus loads in the Dongjiang River basin in South China using SWAT

Population growth, urbanization, and intensified agriculture have resulted in mobilization of nitrogen and phosphorus, which is the main cause of river water quality deterioration. Environmental regulation has expedited the necessity for agricultural producers to design and implement more environmentally suitable practices. Therefore, there is a need to identify critical nutrients and their loss/transport potential. Watershed model can be used to better understand the relationship between land use activities/management and hydrologic processes/water quality changes that occur within a watershed. The objective of the study is to test the performance of the SWAT model and the feasibility of using this model as a simulator of water flow and nitrogen and phosphorus yields over the Dongjiang River basin in South China. Spatial data layers of land slope, soil type, and land use were combined with geographic information system (GIS) to aid in creating model inputs. The observed streamflow and sediment at Boluo station in the Dongjiang River basin were used to calibrate and validate the model. Time series plots and statistical measures were used to verify model predictions. Predicted values generally matched well with the observed values during calibration and validation (R ²≥0.6 and Nash-Suttcliffe Efficiency ≥0.5) except for underestimation of sediment peaks and overestimation of sediment valleys at Boluo. This study shows that SWAT is able to predict streamflow, sediment generation, and nutrients transport with satisfactory results.     

Numerical simulation of the influence of a Red River flood on circulation and contaminant dispersion in Lake Winnipeg

The Red River valley experienced one of the worst floods in 1997 because of above average snow accumulation, a blizzard during the snowmelt period and high soil moisture conditions. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling system is used to study the impact of the flood on the circulation and contaminant dispersion in Lake Winnipeg. To assess the model performance, we first simulate the circulation and temperature distribution of the lake in 2007 and compare the model results with the observations made in the lake during this period. The model showed considerable skill in reproducing the thermal structure, currents and water levels. The accuracy of these simulations suggests that the model is capable of describing flow and transport of material required for detailed water quality simulations during the flood. During the flood event, Red River plume movement is primarily controlled by the wind-driven currents. The winds from the north confined the plume to a small area near the river mouth.     

Numerical simulation of sea water intrusion near Beihai, China

 A leaky aquifer system occurs in the coastal plain near Beihai, China. Seawater intrusion into the confined aquifer took place along the northern coast. Chloride concentrations at some observation wells increased steadily from 1988 and were at their peak in 1993. A quasi-three-dimensional element model has been developed to simulate the spatial and temporal evolution of hydraulic heads and chloride concentrations of the groundwater near the northern coast. The simulation model was based on the transition zone approach, which requires simultaneous solution of the governing water flow and solute transport equations. An irregular grid of a quadrangle was used to discretize the flow domain. Various aquifer parameters were verified with the numerical model in order to obtain satisfactory matches between computed values and observed data from an investigation. Three pumpage schemes were designed to use the calibrated model for prediction of future changes in water levels and chloride concentrations in groundwater in the study area. Results show that seawater intrusion would worsen in the confined aquifer if the current rates of groundwater pumpage continue. The alternative, to eliminate pumpage in the intruded area and to moderate pumpage rates from water supply wells far from the seashore, may limit seawater intrusion significantly and is considered attractive in the area. Received: 27 September 1999 · Accepted: 27 December 1999     

城市地表灰尘径流冲刷过程模拟

为弥补当前描述城市地表灰尘径流冲刷过程的指数衰减模型偏于经验、物理力学机制认识不足的问题,考虑到地表灰尘的泥沙物质属性,基于泥沙科学、从泥沙运动力学角度研究地表灰尘的径流冲刷过程与模拟方法。通过比较发现,地表灰尘径流冲刷指数衰减模型与河道冲刷条件下输沙调整的滞后响应模型具有一定的相似性。基于上述比较结果,参考河道冲刷条件下输沙调整的滞后响应模型方程,针对地表径流汇流的延时效应及不平衡输沙特点,并考虑地表灰尘颗粒的非均匀性及分组冲刷过程,对地表灰尘径流冲刷指数衰减模型进行了改进,建立了地表灰尘的分组不平衡冲刷模型。结合广东东莞牛山工业园区地表灰尘径流冲刷过程的实测资料,对模型进行了应用比较。结果表明:相比指数衰减模型,分组不平衡冲刷模型模拟地表径流灰尘浓度值与实测值变化趋势更为符合,确定性系数与纳什效率系数由0.15与0.59升至0.73与0.70,模拟效果进一步提高。研究结果有助于促进地表灰尘径流冲刷过程模拟由经验分析向具有物理基础的模拟方法转变。