Linking nitrogen deposition to nitrate concentrations in groundwater below nature areas : modelling approach and data requirements

Abstract

This study determines the most suitable model and required model improvements to link atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and other elements in the Netherlands to measurements of nitrogen and other elements in the upper groundwater. The deterministic model SMARTml was found to be the most suitable model. The model requires an improved C&N modeling, improved forest growth modeling, linking forest growth to hydrology and an explicit dispersion calculation. A large number of independent data are available for validation of the improved model. Application of the model to sites of the ‘National monitoring network on nitrate concentrations in the upper groundwater under nature areas’ requires assumptions on soil properties, hydrology, deposition of base cations and chloride