3 Spatial Modeling of Nitrogen Leaching
P. Cepuder and V. aus der Schmitten
Institute of Hydraulics and Rural Water-Management, Universitiit for
Bodenkultur (BOKU), Muthgasse 18,1190 Vienna, Austria
e-mail: cepuder@mail.boku.ac.atTel: +43-1-36006-5471. Fax: +43-1-36006-5499
Abstract
Within the past decades, high concentrations of nitrate in groundwater have
become a serious problem in certain areas of Austria. Empirical models can be
used to investigate methods to control nitrogen leaching. The use of GIS enables
spatial modeling. This chapter describes the integration of the EPIC model and
empirical formula for estimation of soil parameters within a GIS to simulate
various land-use alternatives in order to provide help in decisions on future water
management.
1 Introduction
Over the past years, there has been much discussion over the topics of
environmental impact and protection due to worries about natural resources.
Constant increase in irrigation and fertilization, for example, has caused an
increase in nitrate contamination of groundwater within the past decades. This
problem concerning the quality of groundwater was first observed in the 1960s,
when very high concentrations of nitrate were detected in groundwater in parts of
Austria. Because of the toxic impact of nitrate on human health, the Austrian
nitrate act has demanded step by step lower limits (BGBL Nr 3211964, Nr
55711989, Nr 50211991; Rohmann and Sontheimer 1985; Neudorfer 1993).
Agricultural land-use is assumed to be one of the main contributors to
groundwater pollution. Additional information about percolation and nitrogen
leaching out of these areas will help to shape decisions for future water
management.
The present study is part of the INTERREG 2C Project, Natural Resources',
which is a transnational cooperation of participants from Austria, Hungary,
Germany, and Greece. The project of our institute is entitled Water and Soil
Management in Rural Areas, whose study concerned the agricultural situation in
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel/ J. Fuerst / U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002
P. Cepuder and V. aus der Schmitten
Institute of Hydraulics and Rural Water-Management, Universitiit for
Bodenkultur (BOKU), Muthgasse 18,1190 Vienna, Austria
e-mail: cepuder@mail.boku.ac.atTel: +43-1-36006-5471. Fax: +43-1-36006-5499
Abstract
Within the past decades, high concentrations of nitrate in groundwater have
become a serious problem in certain areas of Austria. Empirical models can be
used to investigate methods to control nitrogen leaching. The use of GIS enables
spatial modeling. This chapter describes the integration of the EPIC model and
empirical formula for estimation of soil parameters within a GIS to simulate
various land-use alternatives in order to provide help in decisions on future water
management.
1 Introduction
Over the past years, there has been much discussion over the topics of
environmental impact and protection due to worries about natural resources.
Constant increase in irrigation and fertilization, for example, has caused an
increase in nitrate contamination of groundwater within the past decades. This
problem concerning the quality of groundwater was first observed in the 1960s,
when very high concentrations of nitrate were detected in groundwater in parts of
Austria. Because of the toxic impact of nitrate on human health, the Austrian
nitrate act has demanded step by step lower limits (BGBL Nr 3211964, Nr
55711989, Nr 50211991; Rohmann and Sontheimer 1985; Neudorfer 1993).
Agricultural land-use is assumed to be one of the main contributors to
groundwater pollution. Additional information about percolation and nitrogen
leaching out of these areas will help to shape decisions for future water
management.
The present study is part of the INTERREG 2C Project, Natural Resources',
which is a transnational cooperation of participants from Austria, Hungary,
Germany, and Greece. The project of our institute is entitled Water and Soil
Management in Rural Areas, whose study concerned the agricultural situation in
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel/ J. Fuerst / U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002