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Title: |
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Spatial Distribution of Nitrogen on Grazed Karst Landscapes |
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Authors: |
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Boyer, Douglas G.; Alloush, Ghiath A. |
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Journal: |
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TheScientificWorldJOURNAL |
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Year: |
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2001 |
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Volume: |
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1 |
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Supplement no.: |
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s2 |
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Page Range: |
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809-813 |
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Article Type: |
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Research Article |
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Handling Editor: |
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Joe Wisniewski |
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Domains: |
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Environmental Management & Policy
,
Soil Systems
,
Water Science & Technology
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DOI: |
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10.1100/tsw.2001.374 |
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 ?
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agricultural activity -
agricultural market -
agriculture land -
appalachian region -
best management practices -
contaminants -
drains -
fecal matter -
karst areas -
leaching -
linear relationship -
management strategies -
nh4 -
nitrate concentrations -
no3 -
outflow -
sinkhole -
sinkholes -
soil depths -
southeastern west virginia
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Synopsis: |
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The impact on water quality by agricultural activity in karst terrain is an important consideration for resource management within the Appalachian region. Karst areas comprise about 18% of the region's land area. An estimated one-third of the region's farms, cattle, and agricultural market value are located on karst terrain. Mean nitrate concentrations in several karst springs in southeastern West Virginia exhibit a strong linear relationship with the percentage of agriculture land cover land cover. Development of best management practices for efficient nitrogen (N) use and reduction of outflow of N to water from karst areas requires knowledge about N dynamics on those landscapes. We studied the terrestrial distribution of N on a grazed karst sinkhole landscape and the associated export of N in internal drainage water. Accumulation of mineralized N and carbon in the surface soil layer near sinkhole drains may be a result of transport of animal manures by hydrologic processes and by the animals themselves. Best management practices that control delivery of those byproducts to sinkhole drain areas may be the most effective strategy for protecting groundwater quality in karst areas. |
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Keywords: |
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nitrate, ammonium, karst, sinkhole, grazing, manure |
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Abstract |
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The impact on water quality by agricultural activity in karst terrain is an important consideration for resource management within the Appalachian region. Karst areas comprise about 18% of the region’s land area. An estimated one-third of the region’s farms, cattle, and agricultural market value are located on karst terrain. Mean nitrate concentrations in several karst springs in southeastern West Virginia exhibit a strong linear relationship with the percentage of agriculture land cover. Development of best management practices for efficient nitrogen (N) use and reduction of outflow of N to water from karst areas requires knowledge about N dynamics on those landscapes. Water extractable NO3-N and NH4-N were measured along transects at four soil depths in two grazed sinkholes and one wooded sinkhole. Distribution of soil NO3-N and NH4-N were related to frequency of animal presence and to topographic and hydrologic redistribution of soil and fecal matter in the grazed sinkholes. Karst pastures are characterized by under drainage and funneling of water and contaminants to the shallow aquifer. Control of NO3-N leaching from karst pasture may depend on management strategies that change livestock grazing behavior in sinkholes and reduce the opportunity for water and contaminants to quickly reach sinkhole drains. |
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