The influence of nitrate leaching through unsaturated soil on groundwater pollution in an agricultural area of the Basque country: a case study

The average nitrate concentration in the groundwater of the Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country) quaternary aquifer rose from 50 mg NO3−/l during 1986 to over 200 mg/l in 1995, which represents an increase of some 20 mg NO3−/l per year. From 1995 to 2002, the nitrate concentration of the groundwater slightly decreased. Nitrategroundwaterpollution during the period 1986–1993 was the result of the abusive use of fertilizers and of the modification in the recharge patterns of the aquifer from surface water sources. From 1993 onwards, apart from a possible rationalization in fertilizer use, the change in the origin of water for irrigation and wetland restoration (water is taken now from artificial pools outside the quaternary aquifer) must be explained in order to account for the observed decrease in nitrate concentration in the groundwater. The water of the aquifer and of the unsaturated zone were studied in two experimental plots (one of them cultivated and the other uncultivated) for 18 months (January 1993–June 1994), during the period of maximum contamination, to evaluate the effect of fertilizers on soil water and on the water in the saturated zone. The soil water was sampled using soil lysimeters at various depths. The volumetric water content of the soil was measured at the same depths using time domain reflectrometry (TDR) probes. Samples of groundwater were taken from a network of wells on the aquifer scale, two located close to the two experimental plots. The temporal evolution of nitrate concentrations in soil solutions depends on the addition of fertilizers and on soilnitrateleaching by rain. During episodes of intense rain (>50 mm in a day), the groundwater deposits are recharged with water coming from the leaching of interstitial soil solutions, causing an increase in the groundwaternitrate concentrations. The mass of nitrate leached from the cultivated zone is five times higher than that of the nitrate leached from the uncultivated zone (1147 kg NO3−/ha in the cultivated sector as against 211 kg NO3−/ha in the uncultivated sector), although part of the nitrate leached into the soil had been previously deposited by the rise of the water table. If we consider that the level of groundwater input is similar in both plots, we may conclude that 964 kg NO3−/ha circulated towards the groundwater in the cultivated zone during the period under study, representing 87% of the nitrate applied to the soil in the form of fertilizer during that period

Groundwater pollution in quaternary aquifer of Vitoria - Gasteiz (Basque Country, Spain)

As a result of diverse changes in land use and in water-resource management in the high basin of the Zadorra River (Basque Country), an important loss of water resources and an intense contamination by nitrogen compounds has taken place. The purpose of this paper is to detail the land transformations that have taken place on the aquifer since the 1950s: increase of drainage network, change from dry to irrigated farming, and diversion of rivers at the aquifer unit inlet. Furthermore, we analyze the impact of these transformations on the hydrodynamics and water quality of this aquifer system

Evaluation of the impact of various agricultural practices on nitrate leaching under the root zone of potato and sugar beet using the STICS soil–crop model

The quaternary aquifer of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country, Northern Spain) is characterised by a shallow water table mainly fed by drainage water, and thus constitutes a vulnerable zone in regards to nitrate pollution. Field studies were performed with a potato crop in 1993 and a sugar beet crop in 2002 to evaluate their impact on nitrate leaching. The overall predictive quality of the STICS soil–crop model was first evaluated using field data and then the model was used to analyze dynamically the impacts of different crop management practices on nitrate leaching. The model was evaluated (i) on soil nitrate concentrations at different depths and (ii) on crop yields. The simulated values proved to be in satisfactory agreement with measured values. Nitrate leaching was more pronounced with the potato crop thanwith the sugar beet experiment due to i) greater precipitation, ii) lower N uptake of the potato crop due to shallow root depth, and iii) a shorter period of growth. The potato experiment showed that excessive irrigation could significantly increase nitrate leaching by increasing both drainage and nitrate concentrations. The different levels of N-fertilization examined in the sugar beet study had no notable effects on nitrate leaching due to its high N uptake capacity. Complementary virtual experiments were carried out using the STICS model. Our study confirmed that in vulnerable zones agricultural practices must be adjusted, that is to say: 1) N-fertilizer should not be applied in autumn before winter crops; 2) crops with low N uptake capacity (e.g. potatoes) should be avoided or should be preceded and followed by nitrogen catch crops or cover crops; 3) the nitrate concentration of irrigation water should be taken into account in calculation of the N-fertilization rate, and 4) Nfertilization must be precisely adjusted in particular for potato crops

Eliminación de nitratos por desnitrificación en la zona no saturada del suelo en un humedal del cinturón Peri-Urbano de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Los cambios de usos del suelo y la intensificación de la agricultura en el acuífero cuaternario de Vitoria-Gasteiz llevaron a la desaparición de los humedales. Acciones recientes de restauración en el área peri-urbana han llevado a su recuperación. La restauración de estas zonas húmedas ha contribuido a la disminución de nitratos de las aguas subterráneas. Las concentraciones en NO3 -, superiores a 50 mg NO3 -/L en las aguas fluyentes hacia la zona húmeda, son inferiores a 10 mg NO3 -/L en los alrededores del humedal. Se ha medido el potencial de desnitrificación de los suelos en la zona no saturada mediante en método de bloqueo con acetileno en tres perfiles de suelo adyacentes al humedal a tres profundidades representativas del suelo del depósito aluvial. Los valores máximos de desnitrificación se observan en los horizontes superficiales ricos en materia orgánica (32,0 – 36,2 g MO/kg suelo) con tasas de desnitrificación que varían entre 18,7 y 20,3 mg N/día*kg de suelo. Los contenidos en materia orgánica disminuyen en profundidad (4,3 – 5,7 g MO/kg suelo en el horizonte B2 entre 70 y 100 cm de profundidad). En este horizonte se han medido las tasas de desnitrificación mas bajas con valores que varían entre 0,1 y 1,1 mg N/día*kg de suelo

Suspended sediment delivery from small catchments to the Bay of Biscay. What are the controlling factors?

The transport and yield of suspended sediment (SS) in catchments all over the world have long been topics of great interest. This paper addresses the scarcity of information on SS delivery and its environmental controls in small catchments, especially in the Atlantic region. Five steep catchments in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country) with areas between 56 and 796 km2 and that drain into the Bay of Biscay were continuously monitored for precipitation, discharge and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in their outlets from 2006 to 2013. Environmental characteristics such as elevation, slope, land uses, soil depth and erodibility of the lithology were also calculated. The analysis included consideration of uncertainties in the SSC calibration models in the final suspended sediment yield (SSY) estimations. The total delivery of sediments from the catchments into the Bay of Biscay and its standard deviation was 272 200 ± 38 107 t·yr-1, or 151±21 t·km-2·yr-1, and the SSYs ranged from 46 ± 0.48 to 217±106 t·km-2·yr-1. Hydro-climatic variables and catchment areas do not explain the spatial variability found in SSY, whereas land use (especially non-native plantations) and management (human impacts) appear to be the main factors that control this variability. Obtaining long-term measurements on sediment delivery would allow for the effects of environmental and human induced changes on SS fluxes to better detected.However, the data provided in this paper offer valuable and quantitative information that will enable decision-makers to make more informed decisions on land management whime considering the effects of the delivery of SS

Aplicación del modelo stics para la determinación de la lixiviación de nitratos bajo cultivo de remolacha azucarera en la zona no saturada del suelo

Se ha aplicado el modelo STICS a los datos de una parcela experimental de remolacha azucarera situada en la localidad de Matauko, dentro de la Zona Vulnerable del acuífero cuaternario de Vitoria-Gasteiz. En dicha parcela se aplicaron seis tratamientos diferentes y se estudió la lixiviación de nitratos en cuatro de las aplicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido comparar los resultados del modelo con los obtenidos en el campo. Se han modelizado cuatro de los tratamientos aplicados en la parcela, simulando a nivel diario el balance de agua y de nitrógeno (kg N/ha) en suelo y planta. Los resultados del modelo coinciden bien con los experimentales, sobre todo en los momentos de episodios claros de infiltración, y en la evolución de la concentración en nitratos, con una notable disminución en las concentraciones en la parte final del periodo considerado

Non-target effects of three formulated pesticides on microbially-mediated processes in a clay-loam soil

An experiment was performed to study non-target effects of difenoconazole (fungicide), deltamethrin (insecticide) and ethofumesate (herbicide) on microbial parameters in a clay-loam soil. Pesticides were applied as commercial formulations to soil samples at different concentrations (5, 50 and 500 mg kg−1 DW soil) and then incubated under laboratory conditions for 3 months. Throughout the incubation period, microbial parameters were determined at days 7, 30, 60 and 90. At 5 mg kg−1 DW soil, none of the three pesticides caused significant changes in soil microbial parameters. In contrast, at 500 mg kg−1 DW soil, pesticide application decreased overall soil microbial activity, negatively affecting the activity of soil enzymes. Similarly, at 500 mg kg−1 DW soil, difenoconazole and ethofumesate, but not deltamethrin, caused a pesticide-induced stress on soil microbial communities, as reflected by the respiratory quotient. Besides, deltamethrin and ethofumesate at 50 and 500 mg kg−1 DW soil resulted in lower values of denitrification potential. It was concluded that, although pesticide concentration had a somewhat inconsistent and erratic effect on soil microbial parameters, pesticide application at 500 mg kg−1 DW soil did have an impact on many of the microbial parameters studied here

Caracterización de los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos en la actualidad, y escenarios futuros [Informe]. Memorias científicas del proyecto PIRAGUA, vol. 1.

[ES] Un archivo PDF con la versión de pre-impresión del documento; [FR] Un fichier PDF avec la version pré-imprimée du document; [EN] One PDF files with the pre-print version of the document.[EN] This volume presents part of the results obtained during the international cooperation project PIRAGUA (EFA210/16), co-financed by the Interreg EFA Program (Spain-France-Andorra). Between 2018 and 2021, the PIRAGUA project addressed, through cross-border cooperation, the evaluation of the hydrological cycle and water resources in the Pyrenees, in the present and in the future, in the context of climate change. To do this, the project partners unified and homogenized the existing hydrological information, proposed hydrological indicators, analyzed the trends observed in said indicators, developed simulation models to know in detail the different components of the water balance, and carried out numerical simulations based on projections under different scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions to assess the consequences of climate change on the hydrological cycle and the water resources of the Pyrenees. The objective of this volume is to carry out a characterization of the surface and underground water resources of the Pyrenees, as well as the management and use of said resources (Chapter 1); analyze flow records, aquifer levels, and floods to determine spatial patterns and determine temporal trends observed in recent decades (Chapter 2); apply simulation tools to expand knowledge about the different components of the water balance of the Pyrenees (Chapter 3); and carry out a series of numerical simulation experiments to determine possible changes in the water balance and water resources of the Pyrenees throughout the 21st century, in a context of climate change (Chapter 4).[ES] Este trabajo presenta una parte de los resultados obtenidos durante el proyecto de cooperación internacional PIRAGUA (EFA210/16), co-financiado por el Programa Interreg EFA (España-Francia-Andorra). Entre 2018 y 2021, el proyecto PIRAGUA abordó, mediante la cooperación transfronteriza, la evaluación del ciclo hidrológico y los recursos hídricos en los Pirineos, en el presente y en futuro, en el contexto del cambio climático. Para ello, los socios del proyecto unificaron y homogeneizaron la información hidrológica existente, propusieron indicadores hidrológicos, analizaron las tendencias observadas en dichos indicadores, desarrollaron modelos de simulación para conocer en detalle los distintos componentes del balance hídrico, y realizaron simulaciones numéricas a partir de proyecciones climáticas bajo distintos escenarios de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero para evaluar las consecuencias del cambio climático sobre el ciclo hidrológico y los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos. El objetivo de este volumen es realizar una caracterización de los recursos hídricos superficiales y subterráneos de los Pirineos, así como de la gestión y uso de dichos recursos (Capítulo 1); analizar los registros de caudal, niveles de acuíferos e inundaciones para determinar patrones espaciales y determinar las tendencias temporales observadas en las últimas décadas (Capítulo 2); aplicar herramientas de simulación para ampliar el conocimiento sobre los distintos componentes del balance hídrico de los Pirineos (Capítulo 3); y realizar una serie de experimentos de simulación numérica para determinar los posibles cambios del balance hídrico y los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos a lo largo del siglo XXI, en un contexto de cambio climático (Capítulo 4).[FR] Ce travail présente une partie des résultats d'un projet de coopération internationale du Programme Interreg EFA (Espagne-France-Andorre). Entre 2018 et 2021, le projet PIRAGUA (EFA210/16) a abordé, par le biais de la coopération transfrontalière, l'évaluation du cycle hydrologique et des ressources hydriques dans les Pyrénées, pour le présent et l'avenir, dans le contexte du changement climatique. Pour cela, les partenaires du projet ont unifié et homogénéisé les informations hydrologiques existantes, proposé des indicateurs hydrologiques, analysé les tendances observées pour ces indicateurs, développé des modèles de simulation pour connaître les détails du bilan hydrique et réalisé des expériences de simulation numérique, afin d'évaluer les conséquences de scénarios de changement climatique sur le cycle hydrologique et les ressources hydriques des Pyrénées. L'objectif de ce volume est de réaliser une caractérisation des ressources hydriques de surface et souterraines des Pyrénées, de la gestion et de l'emploi des ressources (Chapitre 1) ; analyser les registres de débit, le niveau des aquifères et les inondations afin de déterminer des schémas spatiaux ainsi que les tendances temporelles observées ces dernières décennies (Chapitre 2) ; appliquer des outils de simulation pour réaliser un diagnostic des différents éléments du bilan hydrique des Pyrénées (Chapitre 3); réaliser une série d'expériences de simulation pour déterminer les éventuels changements du bilan hydrique et des ressources hydriques des Pyrénées tout au long du XXIᵉ siècle, dans un contexte de changement climatique (Chapitre 4).This report was developed within the project EFA210/16 PIRAGUA (“Evaluación y prospectiva de los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos en un contexto de cambio climático, y medidas de adaptación con impacto en el territorio / Evaluation et prospective des ressources en eau des Pyrénées dans un contexte de changement climatique, et mesures d’adaptation avec un impact sur le territoire”), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg V-A Spain France Andorra program (POCTEFA 2014-2020) (65%) and the project’s partners: CSIC, UPV/EHU, UB, OE, IGME, CNRS, BRGM, INRAE and OBSA (35%).N

Caractérisation des ressources en eau des Pyrénées: present et scénarios à venir. Mémoires scientifiques du projet PIRAGUA, vol. 1.

[FR] Un fichier PDF avec la version pré-imprimée du document; [EN] One PDF files with the pre-print version of the document; [ES] Un archivo PDF con la versión de pre-impresión del documento.[EN] This volume presents part of the results obtained during the international cooperation project PIRAGUA (EFA210/16), co-financed by the Interreg EFA Program (Spain-France-Andorra). Between 2018 and 2021, the PIRAGUA project addressed, through cross-border cooperation, the evaluation of the hydrological cycle and water resources in the Pyrenees, in the present and in the future, in the context of climate change. To do this, the project partners unified and homogenized the existing hydrological information, proposed hydrological indicators, analyzed the trends observed in said indicators, developed simulation models to know in detail the different components of the water balance, and carried out numerical simulations based on projections under different scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions to assess the consequences of climate change on the hydrological cycle and the water resources of the Pyrenees. The objective of this volume is to carry out a characterization of the surface and underground water resources of the Pyrenees, as well as the management and use of said resources (Chapter 1); analyze flow records, aquifer levels, and floods to determine spatial patterns and determine temporal trends observed in recent decades (Chapter 2); apply simulation tools to expand knowledge about the different components of the water balance of the Pyrenees (Chapter 3); and carry out a series of numerical simulation experiments to determine possible changes in the water balance and water resources of the Pyrenees throughout the 21st century, in a context of climate change (Chapter 4).[ES] Este trabajo presenta una parte de los resultados obtenidos durante el proyecto de cooperación internacional PIRAGUA (EFA210/16), co-financiado por el Programa Interreg EFA (España-Francia-Andorra). Entre 2018 y 2021, el proyecto PIRAGUA abordó, mediante la cooperación transfronteriza, la evaluación del ciclo hidrológico y los recursos hídricos en los Pirineos, en el presente y en futuro, en el contexto del cambio climático. Para ello, los socios del proyecto unificaron y homogeneizaron la información hidrológica existente, propusieron indicadores hidrológicos, analizaron las tendencias observadas en dichos indicadores, desarrollaron modelos de simulación para conocer en detalle los distintos componentes del balance hídrico, y realizaron simulaciones numéricas a partir de proyecciones climáticas bajo distintos escenarios de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero para evaluar las consecuencias del cambio climático sobre el ciclo hidrológico y los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos. El objetivo de este volumen es realizar una caracterización de los recursos hídricos superficiales y subterráneos de los Pirineos, así como de la gestión y uso de dichos recursos (Capítulo 1); analizar los registros de caudal, niveles de acuíferos e inundaciones para determinar patrones espaciales y determinar las tendencias temporales observadas en las últimas décadas (Capítulo 2); aplicar herramientas de simulación para ampliar el conocimiento sobre los distintos componentes del balance hídrico de los Pirineos (Capítulo 3); y realizar una serie de experimentos de simulación numérica para determinar los posibles cambios del balance hídrico y los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos a lo largo del siglo XXI, en un contexto de cambio climático (Capítulo 4).[FR] Ce travail présente une partie des résultats d'un projet de coopération internationale du Programme Interreg EFA (Espagne-France-Andorre). Entre 2018 et 2021, le projet PIRAGUA (EFA210/16) a abordé, par le biais de la coopération transfrontalière, l'évaluation du cycle hydrologique et des ressources hydriques dans les Pyrénées, pour le présent et l'avenir, dans le contexte du changement climatique. Pour cela, les partenaires du projet ont unifié et homogénéisé les informations hydrologiques existantes, proposé des indicateurs hydrologiques, analysé les tendances observées pour ces indicateurs, développé des modèles de simulation pour connaître les détails du bilan hydrique et réalisé des expériences de simulation numérique, afin d'évaluer les conséquences de scénarios de changement climatique sur le cycle hydrologique et les ressources hydriques des Pyrénées. L'objectif de ce volume est de réaliser une caractérisation des ressources hydriques de surface et souterraines des Pyrénées, de la gestion et de l'emploi des ressources (Chapitre 1) ; analyser les registres de débit, le niveau des aquifères et les inondations afin de déterminer des schémas spatiaux ainsi que les tendances temporelles observées ces dernières décennies (Chapitre 2) ; appliquer des outils de simulation pour réaliser un diagnostic des différents éléments du bilan hydrique des Pyrénées (Chapitre 3); réaliser une série d'expériences de simulation pour déterminer les éventuels changements du bilan hydrique et des ressources hydriques des Pyrénées tout au long du XXIᵉ siècle, dans un contexte de changement climatique (Chapitre 4).This report was developed within the project EFA210/16 PIRAGUA (“Evaluación y prospectiva de los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos en un contexto de cambio climático, y medidas de adaptación con impacto en el territorio / Evaluation et prospective des ressources en eau des Pyrénées dans un contexte de changement climatique, et mesures d’adaptation avec un impact sur le territoire”), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg V-A Spain France Andorra program (POCTEFA 2014-2020) (65%) and the project’s partners: CSIC, UPV/EHU, UB, OE, IGME, CNRS, BRGM, INRAE and OBSA (35%).Peer reviewe

Adaptación al cambio climático en la gestión de los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos [Informe]. Memorias científicas del proyecto PIRAGUA, vol. 2.

[EN] One PDF files with the pre-print version of the document; [ES] Un archivo PDF con la versión de pie-impresión del documento; [FR] Un fichier PDF avec la version pré-imprimée du document.[EN] To do[ES] Pendiente[FR] Pour faireThis report was developed within the project EFA210/16 PIRAGUA (“Evaluación y prospectiva de los recursos hídricos de los Pirineos en un contexto de cambio climático, y medidas de adaptación con impacto en el territorio / Evaluation et prospective des ressources en eau des Pyrénées dans un contexte de changement climatique, et mesures d’adaptation avec un impact sur le territoire”), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg V-A Spain France Andorra program (POCTEFA 2014-2020) (65%) and the project’s partners: CSIC, UPV/EHU, UB, OE, IGME, CNRS, BRGM, INRAE and OBSA (35%).N