Abstract
There is an ongoing debate as to whether nutrient contamination of groundwater under agricultural fields may cause nutrient-enrichment and subsequent eutrophication in discharge areas. Often, there is only circumstantial evidence to support this supposition (proximity of agricultural fields, direction of water flow, highly productive vegetation). Research on solute transport along a flow path is necessary to evaluate the risk for eutrophication. In this paper we present results of such a study. Two transects were established in a discharge meadow, a few meters downstream from fertilized cornfields. Highly productive vegetation in parts of the meadow suggested nutrient-enrichment caused by inflow of contaminated groundwater. This supposition was supported by an analysis of groundwater flow paths, residence times and chloride as tracer for pollution. However, the fate of nutrients along the flow path indicated otherwise. While we found high concentrations of DIN (dissolved inorganic nitrogen), P and K under the cornfields, DIN and P concentrations drop below detection limit when groundwater enters the meadow. Only K progressed into the meadow but did not enter the root zone. We conclude that (1) polluted groundwater from the cornfields did not cause the nutrient-enrichment, as indicated by the highly productive vegetation. Restoration projects in discharge areas should not focus upon measures in upstream areas if only circumstantial evidence is available. Solute transport should be considered as well. (2) Because K clearly showed to be the most mobile nutrient, its importance for nutrient-enrichment in discharge wetlands merits more attention in future research.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
S.J. Altman R.R. Parizek (1995) ArticleTitleDilution of nonpoint-source nitrate in groundwater J. Environ. Qual. 24 707–718
Anonymous 1992. Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and DevelopmentA/Conf.151/26. Vol. I–IV. United Nations, Rio de Janeiro.
C.A.J. Appelo D. Postma (1993) Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution A.A.Balkema Amsterdam 536
D.A.J. Barry D. Goorahoo M.J. Goss (1993) ArticleTitleEstimation of nitrate concentrations in groundwater using a whole farm nitrogen budget J. Environ. Qual. 22 767–775
L.L. Bijlmakers R.F.M. Buskens F.J. van Zadelhoff (1987) ArticleTitleThe Merkske Brook Valley: exploring landscape ecological relations via the groundwater Landschap 4 IssueID1 49–63
J.K. Böhlke J.M. Denver (1995) ArticleTitleCombined use of groundwater dating, chemical, and isotopic analyses to resolve the history and fate of nitrate contamination in two agricultural watersheds, Atlantic coastal plain, Maryland Water Resour. Res. 31 IssueID9 2319–2339 Occurrence Handle10.1029/95WR01584
D.F. Boutt D.W. Hyndman B.C. Pijanowski D.T. Long (2001) ArticleTitleIdentifying potential land use-derived solute sources to stream baseflow using ground water models and GIS Ground Water 39 IssueID1 24–34
F.S.I. Chapin P. Matson H.A. Mooney (2002) Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Functioning Springer-Verlag Heidelberg 436
Davis J.C. 1986. Statistics and data analysis in geology. John Wiley and Sons pp, 646 pp.
J. Dorge (1994) ArticleTitleModelling nitrogen transformations in freshwater wetlands. Estimating nitrogen retention and removal in natural wetlands in relation to their hydrology and nutrient loadings Ecol. Model. 75/76 409–420 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0304-3800(94)90036-1
A.C. Garritsen (1988) Stromingsstelsels en waterkwaliteit in de dommelbeemden, Consulentschap voor Natuur Milieu en Faunabeheer Tilburg
A.P. Grootjans P.C. Schipper H.J. van der Windt (1985) ArticleTitleInfluence of drainage on N-mineralisation and vegetation response in wet meadows I. Calthion palustris stands Acta Oecol. 6 IssueID20 403–417
A.P. Grootjans P.C. Schipper H.J. van der Windt (1986) ArticleTitleInfluence of drainage on N-mineralisation and vegetation response in wet meadows II. Cirsio-Molinietum stands Acta Oecol. 7 IssueID21 3–14
K.L. Gross K.S. Pregitzer A.J. Burton (1995) ArticleTitleSpatial variation in nitrogen availability in three successional plant communities J. Ecol. 83 357–367
D.O. Hessen A. Henriksen A.M. Smelhus (1997) ArticleTitleSeasonal fluctuations and diurnal oscillations in nitrate of a heathland brook Water Res. 31 IssueID7 1813–1817 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0043-1354(97)00010-9
A.R. Hill (1996) ArticleTitleNitrate removal in stream riparian zones J. Environ. Qual. 25 743–755
S.H. Hurlbert (1984) ArticleTitlePseudoreplication and the design of ecological field experiments Ecol. Monogr. 54 187–211
J.M.J. Jemison R.H. Fox (1994) ArticleTitleNitrate leaching from nitrogen-fertilized and manured corn measured with zero-tension Pan Lysimeters J.Environ. Qual. 23 337–343
B.R. Khakural P.C. Robert (1993) ArticleTitleSoil nitrate leaching potential indices: using a simulation model as a screening system J. Environ. Qual. 22 839–845
Koerselman W. and Verhoeven J.T.A. 1992. Nutrient dynamics in mires of various trophic status: nutrient inputs and outputs and the internal nutrient cycle. In: Verhoeven J.T.A. (ed.), Fens and Bogs in the Netherlands. Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 397–432.
B. Kronvang (1992) ArticleTitleThe export of particulate matterparticulate phosphorus and dissolved phosphorus from two agricultural river basins: implications on extimating non-point phosphorus load Water Res. 26 IssueID10 1347–1358 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0043-1354(92)90129-R
R. Lowrance L. Altier J.D. Newbold R.R. Schnabel P.M. Groffman J.M. Denver D.L. Corell J.W. Gilliam J.L. Robinson R.B. Brinsfield K.W. Staver W. Lucas A.H. Todd (1997) ArticleTitleWater quality functions of riparian forest buffers in Chesapeake Bay Watersheds Environ. Manage 21 IssueID5 687–712 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002679900060 Occurrence Handle9236284
R. Lowrance G. Vellidis R.K. Hubbard (1995) ArticleTitleDenitrification in a restored riparian forest wetland J. Environ. Qual. 24 808–815
E. Maltby D.V. Hogan C.P. Immirzi J.H. Tellam M.J. Peijl Particlevan der (1994) Building a New Approach to the Investigation and Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Functioning W.J. Mitsch (Eds) Global Wetlands, Old World and New Elsevier Columbus 637–658
J.F. Martin K.R. Reddy (1997) ArticleTitleInteraction and spatial distribution of wetland nitrogen processes Ecol. Model 105 IssueID1 1–21 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0304-3800(97)00122-1
D. McCollin L. Moore T. Sparks (2000) ArticleTitleThe flora of a cultural landscape: environmental determinants of change revealed using archival sources Biol. Conserv. 92 249–263 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0006-3207(99)00070-1
F. Meijboom M. Noordwijk (1991) Rhizon soil solution samplers as artificial roots L. Kutschera E. Hübl E. Lichtenegger H. Persson M. Sobotik (Eds) Root Ecology and its Practical Application: 3rd ISRR Symposium Verein für Wurzelforschung Wien 793795
J.L. Meyer G.E. Likens (1979) ArticleTitleTransport and transformation of phosphorus in a forest stream ecosystem Ecology 60 IssueID6 1255–1269
M.M. Norton T.R. Fisher (2000) ArticleTitleThe effects of forest on stream water quality in two coastal plain watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay Ecol. Eng. 14 337–362 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0925-8574(99)00060-9
O. Oenema T.A. Dijk ParticleVan (1995) Project Verliesnormen Deelrapport I: Fosfaatverliezen en fosfaatoverschotten in de Nederlandse landbouw LNV, VROM, V&W
H. Olde Venterink T.E. Davidsson K. Kiehl L. Leonardson (2002a) ArticleTitleImpact of drying and re-wetting on NP and K dynamics in a wetland soil Plant Soil 243 119–130 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1019993510737
H. Olde Venterink N.M. Pieterse J.D.M. Belgers M.J. Wassen P.C. Ruiter Particlede (2002b) ArticleTitleNP and K budgets along nutrient availability and productivity gradients in wetlands Ecol. Applicat. 12 IssueID4 1010–1026
H. Olff D.M. Pegtel (1994) ArticleTitleCharacterisation of the type and extent of nutrient limitation in grassland vegetation using a bioassay with intact sods Plant Soil 163 217–224 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00007971
M.J.M. Oomes H. Olff H.J. Altena (1996) ArticleTitleEffects of vegetation management and raising the water table on nutrient dynamics and vegetation change in a wet grassland J. Appl. Ecol. 33 576–588
G.B.M. Pedroli (1989) The Nature of Landscape University of Amsterdam Amsterdam
N.M. Pieterse H. Olde Venterink P.P. Schot A.W.M. Verkroost (1998a) Demonstration Project for the Development of Integrated Management Plans for Catchment Areas of Small Trans-Border Lowland Rivers: The River Dommel. 2 Streamflow, a GIS-based Environmental Assessment Tool for Lowland Rivers, Department of Environmental Science Utrecht University, Utrecht
N.M. Pieterse P.P. Schot A.W.M. Verkroost (1998b) Demonstration Project for the Development of Integrated Management Plans for Catchment Areas of Small Trans-Border Lowland Rivers: The River Dommel. 3 Simulation of the Regional Hydrology of the Dommel Catchment (in Dutch with English summary). Department of Environmental Science Utrecht University, Utrecht
K.A. Poiani B.L. Bedford M.D. Merrill (1996) ArticleTitleA GIS-based index for relating landscape characteristics to potential nitrogen leaching to wetlands Landscape Ecol. 11 IssueID4 237–255 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF02071814
J.C. Refsgaard M. Thorsen J.B. Jensen S. Kleeschulte S. Hansen (1999) ArticleTitlelarge scale modelling of groundwater contamination from nitrate leaching J. Hydrol. 221 117–140 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-1694(99)00081-5
T.C.G. Rich E.R. Woodruff (1996) ArticleTitleChanges in the vascular plant floras of england and scotland between 1930–1960 and 1987–1988: the BSBI monitoring scheme Biol. Conserv. 75 217–229 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0006-3207(95)00077-1
C.J. Richardson (1985) ArticleTitleMechanisms controlling phosphorus retention capacity in freshwater wetlands Science 228 1424–1427
J.H.J. Schaminée A.H.F. Stortelder E.J. Weeda (1996) De Vegetatie van Nederland. III Graslanden, Zomen, Droge Heiden Opulus Press Uppsala/Leiden 356
R.R. Schnabel L.F. Cornish W.L. Stout J.A. Shaffer (1996) ArticleTitleDenitrification in a grassed and a woodedvalley and ridgeriparian ecotone J. Environ. Qual. 25 1230–1235
P.P. Schot J. Van der Wal (1992) ArticleTitleHuman impact on regional groundwater composition through intervention in natural flow patterns and changes in land use J. Hydrol. 134 297–313 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0022-1694(92)90040-3
R.F. Spalding M.E. Exner (1993) ArticleTitleOccurence of nitrate in groundwater – a review J. Environ. Qual. 22 392–402
D. Stanners P. Bourdeau (1995) Europe’s EnvironmentThe Dobris Assessment European Environment Agency (EEA) Copenhagen
InstitutionalAuthorNameNetherlands Statistics (1998) Statline Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) Heerlen
P.J. Stuyfzand (1983) ArticleTitleBelangrijke foutenbronnen bij bemonstering van grondwater via pen en minifilters H2O 16 IssueID4 87–95
P.J.M. van der Aart R. Aerts R. Bobbink H.F.G. Dijk Particlevan W. Koerselman (1988) ArticleTitleEutrophication of terrestrial ecosystems (in Dutch) Landscap 5 IssueID4 253–267
I.C. van Duren D. Boeye A.P. Grootjans (1997) ArticleTitleNutrient limitations in an extant and drained poor fen: implications for restoration Plant Ecol. 133 91–100 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1009728007279
J.T.A. Verhoeven W. Koerselman B. Beltman (1988) The vegetation of fens in relation to their hydrology and nutrient dynamics: a case study J.J. Symoens (Eds) Vegetation of Inland Waters Kluwer Academic Publishers Dordrecht 249–282
J.T.A. Verhoeven W. Koerselman A.F.M. Meuleman (1996) ArticleTitleNitrogen- or phosphorus-limited growth in herbaceous, wet vegetation: relations with atmospheric inputs and management regimes Trends Ecol. Evol. 11 IssueID12 494–497 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0169-5347(96)10055-0
M. Vighi S. Soprani P. Puzzarini G. Menghi (1991) ArticleTitlePhosphorus loads from selected watersheds in the drainage area of the northern Adriatic sea J. Environ. Qual. 20 439–444
H.T.J. Weerts (1996) Complex Confining layers, Architecture and Hydraulic Properties of Holocene and Late-Weichselian Deposits in the Fluvial Rhine-Meuse DeltaThe Netherlands University of Utrecht Utrecht 189
H.P.L. Willems M.D. Rotelli D.F. Berry E.P. Smith R.B. Reneau S. Mostaghimi (1997) ArticleTitleNitrate removal in riparian wetland soils: effects of flow ratetemperaturenitrate concentration and soil depth Water Res. 31 IssueID4 841–849 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0043-1354(96)00315-6
J.H.M. Wösten G.J. Veerman J. Stolte (1994) Waterretentie- en doorlatendheidskarakteristieken van boven- en ondergronden in Nederland: de staringreeks 18 SC-DLO, Wageningen
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pieterse, N., Venterink, H., Schot, P. et al. Is Nutrient Contamination of Groundwater Causing Eutrophication of Groundwater-Fed Meadows?. Landscape Ecol 20, 743–753 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-005-1436-7
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-005-1436-7