Nutrient emission models in environmental policy evaluation at different scales—experience from the Netherlands

A nutrient emission modelling system, called STONE, has been developed for the Netherlands. The approach of STONE and its use in evaluating environmental policies in the Netherlands are discussed. This specific approach is then compared with that of other nutrient emission modelling systems. Emphasis is put on both the scientific–technical aspects and on the applications in quantifying environmental effects of policy interventions at different scales. Results from STONE show, for example, the areas in the Netherlands where maximally acceptable nitrate concentrations in groundwater may be exceeded in the future, the effectiveness of implemented or intended policy measures on nutrient emissions, and the advantage of its mechanistic, spatially distributed approach. Such a detailed modelling approach is shown to be required to take into account the strong and complex interacting effects of, e.g. nutrient supply, groundwater level and management on nutrient emissions.     

地下水位上升过程硝态氮(硝酸盐)污染变化规律研究

地下水水位上升会造成包气带外源污染物的输入,如硝态氮,同时引起浅层地下水水环境变化.为了研究水位上升过程对硝态氮(硝酸盐)的影响,选取北京市通州区代表性介质,建立室内砂槽实验,探究水位上升过程硝态氮的二维迁移转化规律.实验结果表明:随着地下水位上升,砂槽从上至下,从左至右,溶解氧和氧化还原电位含量均逐渐降低,地下水逐渐...     

Forecasting the effects of EU policy measures on the nitrate pollution of groundwater and surface waters

We used the interdisciplinary model network REGFLUD to predict the actual mean nitrate concentration in percolation water at the scale of the Weser river basin (Germany) using an area differentiated (100 m × 100 m) approach.REGFLUD combines the agro-economic model RAUMIS for estimating nitrogen surpluses and the hydrological models GROWA/DENUZ for assessing the nitrate leaching from the soil.For areas showing predicted nitrate concentrations in percolation water above the European Union (EU) groundwater quality standard of 50 mg NO 3 -N/L,effective agri-environmental reduction measures need to be derived and implemented to improve groundwater and surface water quality by 2015.The effects of already implemented agricultural policy are quantified by a baseline scenario projecting the N-surpluses from agricultural sector to 2015.The REGFLUD model is used to estimate the effects of this scenario concerning groundwater and surface water pollution by nitrate.From the results of the model analysis the needs for additional measures can be derived in terms of required additional N-surplus reduction and in terms of regional prioritization of measures.Research work will therefore directly support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive of the European Union in the Weser basin.     

Forecasting the e ects of EU policy measures on the nitrate pollution of groundwater and surface waters

We used the interdisciplinary model network REGFLUD to predict the actual mean nitrate concentration in percolation water at the scale of the Weser river basin (Germany) using an area di erentiated (100 m 100 m) approach. REGFLUD combines the agro-economic model RAUMIS for estimating nitrogen surpluses and the hydrological models GROWA/DENUZ for assessing the nitrate leaching from the soil. For areas showing predicted nitrate concentrations in percolation water above the European Union (EU) groundwater quality standard of 50 mg NO3-N/L, e ective agri-environmental reduction measures need to be derived and implemented to improve groundwater and surface water quality by 2015. The e ects of already implemented agricultural policy are quantified by a baseline scenario projecting the N-surpluses from agricultural sector to 2015. The REGFLUD model is used to estimate the e ects of this scenario concerning groundwater and surface water pollution by nitrate. From the results of the model analysis the needs for additional measures can be derived in terms of required additional N-surplus reduction and in terms of regional prioritization of measures. Research work will therefore directly support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive of the European Union in the Weser basin.     

川东平行岭谷区典型岩溶含水系统中NO3-的存储和运移

为了研究NO3-在岩溶含水系统中的存储和运移规律,对降雨条件下重庆川东平行岭谷区青木关地下河系统的水化学动态进行在线监测和高密度采样测试,结合NO3-的月动态变化,并利用主成分分析方法.结果表明,降雨期间地下河中的NO3-与全Fe、全Mn、Al3+是两组不同来源的元素,在含水系统中表现出不同的地球化学行为.NO3-从地表输入后随土壤水下渗存储于岩溶非饱和带的裂隙、孔隙和溶隙等含水介质中,而全Fe、全Mn、Al3+则是地表受雨水侵蚀的土壤随地表径流通过落水洞、竖井等通道,以集中流的形式灌入地下河造成的.进而将NO3-在岩溶含水系统中的运移过程分为输入存储、快速输出和再输入存储这3个理想的阶段.在外部条件大致相同的情况下,非饱和带的岩溶发育程度是影响降雨期间地下河中NO3-浓度变化的关键因素.降雨条件下存储于非饱和带的NO3-很容易被释放出来,破坏地下水生态环境,严重威胁着当地群众的健康安全.需要加强岩溶生态系统管理工作,改善土地利用方式,科学施肥,有效控制地下水营养成分的地表输入.     

基于RZWQM模型模拟太行山低山丘陵区农田土壤硝态氮迁移及淋溶规律

太行山低山丘陵区是华北平原地下水补给区,近年来山区农田面积增加,农田过量氮肥投入造成地下水硝酸盐浓度逐年升高,因此,研究典型农田土壤氮淋溶过程对保护补给区地下水具有重要意义.本文以位于太行山低山丘陵区的中国科学院太行山生态试验站冬小麦-夏玉米轮作农田为研究对象,应用根区水质模型（root zone water quality model,RZWQM）对太行山低山丘陵区2015~2016年冬小麦-夏玉米的1个轮作周期内1m土壤剖面水分和硝态氮运移进行模拟.结果表明,土壤硝态氮淋溶主要发生在夏玉米季（雨季）,当全年施氮量为300 kg·hm^-2时,夏玉米季硝态氮淋失量达到59.9 kg·hm^-2,而冬小麦生长季硝态氮淋失量仅为2.12 kg·hm^-2.不同施氮量和不同降水年型下玉米季土壤硝态氮淋溶模拟结果表明,当施氮量为0、300和450 kg·hm^-2时,2016年（丰水年）极端降水后,玉米季土壤硝态氮潜在淋失量分别为10.5、59.9和136.5 kg·hm^-2;当全年施氮量为300 kg·hm^-2时,2013（枯水年）、2015（平水年）和2016年（丰水年）玉米季硝态氮淋失量分别占轮作周期总施氮量的9%、10%和20%;当全年施氮量为450 kg·hm^-2时,2013（枯水年）、2015（平水年）和2016年（丰水年）玉米季硝态氮淋失量分别占总施氮量的11%、17%和30%,表明大降水事件不仅对地下水形成大量补给,很大程度上也增加了累积在农田土壤中的硝态氮淋溶损失,增加了对区域地下水硝酸盐潜在污染威胁.     

Looking under the hood of local adaptation plans: shedding light on the actions prioritized to build local resilience to climate change

In the face of a changing climate, many United States (US) local governments are creating plans to prepare. These plans layout how a community is vulnerable to existing and future changes in climate as well as what actions they propose taking to prepare. The actions included in these plans provide insight into what local governments feel they have the ability to undertake, as well as what actions they believe are important to building resilience. To date, little to no analysis has been conducted on the content of these plans, leaving researchers, practitioners, and those supporting communities with limited understanding of what gaps need to be filled or how best to support locally prioritized climate action. This paper analyzes the content of 43 stand alone climate adaptation plans from US local communities to identify the types of actions proposed and how those actions compare to what researchers indicate the communities should be prioritizing based on regional climate projections. The results indicate that local communities include numerous and varied actions in their adaptation plans and that the majority of communities are selecting actions that are theoretically appropriate given projected changes in regional climate. Yet some types of actions, such as building codes and advocacy, are not being widely used. These results contrast with previous studies, which found that local communities focus primarily on capacity building approaches. Findings also demonstrate that plans rarely contain significant details about how actions will be implemented, raising questions about whether plans will translate into real-world projects.     

Field scale interaction and nutrient exchange between surface water and shallow groundwater in the Baiyang Lake region, North China Plain

Fertilizer input for agricultural food production, as well as domestic and industrial surface water pollutants in the North China Plain, increases pressures on locally scarce and vulnerable water resources. In order to: (a) understand pollutant exchange between surface water and groundwater, (b) quantify nutrient loadings, and (c) identify major nutrient removal pathways by using qualitative and quantitative methods, including the geochemical model PHREEQC, a one-year study at a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) double cropping system in the Baiyang Lake area in Hebei Province, China, was undertaken. The study showed a high influence of low-quality surface water on the shallow aquifer. Major inflowing pollutants into the aquifer were ammonium and nitrate via inflow from the adjacent Fu River (up to 29.8 mg/L NH₄-N and 6.8 mg/L NO₃-N), as well as nitrate via vertical transport from the field surface (up to 134.8 mg/L NO₃-N in soil water). Results from a conceptual model show an excess nitrogen input of about 320 kg/ha/a. Nevertheless, both nitrogen species were only detected at low concentrations in shallow groundwater, averaging at 3.6 mg/L NH₄-N and 1.8 mg/L NO₃-N. Measurement results supported by PHREEQC-modeling indicated cation exchange, denitrification, and anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled with partial denitrification as major nitrogen removal pathways. Despite this current removal capacity, the excessive nitrogen fertilization may pose a future threat to groundwater quality. Surface water quality improvements are therefore recommended in conjunction with simultaneous monitoring of nitrate in the aquifer, and reduced agricultural N-inputs should be considered.     

河岸带地下水营养元素和有机质变化及与洪水的响应关系研究

河岸带地下水和河水存在复杂的交互作用,地下水和地表水存在明显的补排关系,洪水事件是影响河岸带地下水水质波动的重要水文过程. 以黄河湿地国家级自然保护区孟津湿地为研究对象,通过河岸带地下水营养元素指标(特别是小浪底水库调水调沙期间)野外定位观测,深入分析了河岸带地下水水质变化及其与洪水的响应关系. 结果表明,河岸滩区的农业开发存在明显的氮、磷下渗流失风险. 临近河岸的农耕旱作区,是河流与人工湿地之间一个特殊的氮污染物控制单元,对地下水和河流之间的氮迁移隔离起着极为重要的作用. 在人工湿地,农家粪作为底肥加入可能是磷下渗流失的重要源头,进入地下水中的磷顺着水力坡度还发生着显著的横向迁移,尤其在调水期横向迁移更加明显. 河岸滩区的开发类型及其耕作制度对地下水的硝氮含量产生重要的影响. 在鱼塘区,常年的土壤厌氧环境加重了氮的下渗迁移和积累;在荷塘区,春夏季节,土壤淹没呈厌氧环境,氮迁移和硝化作用显著,在秋冬季节,土壤呈好氧环境,氮硝化作用显著发生,全年氮达到相对平衡的状态;距离河岸50～200 m之间氮的硝化-反硝化作用强烈,是一个高效的微生物氮净化单元. 人工湿地施用的农家粪是有机物流失的重要源头,河岸滩区土壤质地呈沙性,渗透能力强,土壤保水保肥能力差,在此区进行农业活动,尤其是人工湿地开发中大量施用肥料,容易造成土壤表层有机质和氮磷养分因灌溉而导致的下渗流失,进而污染地下水与河水,较由降雨引起的地表径流流失显得更为突出. 距离河道50～200 m的范围是重要的污染净化单元,为典型的滩区地下水-河流的水陆交错带. 该区域的合理保护,对于保护河流水质和地下水水质十分重要.     

太湖竺山湾缓冲带两种人工草林土壤反硝化作用比较

在太湖竺山湾缓冲带选取两种人工草林(杨树灌木混合林和纯杨树林),对其林床地表径流、林下土壤水和林下地下水进行了为期1 a的观测,比较了土壤反硝化作用.结果表明:①两种人工草林林下土壤生化性质、w(有机碳)以及各形态氮质量分数在1 m深度内垂向剖面上的分布大致相同;②两种人工草林内地下水中的ρ(NO₃--N)在1 a之内都没有明显升高趋势,显示反硝化作用在土壤水的入渗过程中有效削减了NO₃--N,并阻止了其向地下水的迁移;③在垂直剖面上,两种人工草林土壤水中ρ(NO₃--N)在40 cm深度处出现峰值,同深度处的ρ(DO)(低至0.08 mg/L)、E_h(氧化还原电位,0~18 mV)也较低,说明40 cm深度附近可能发生了耦合的硝化-反硝化作用;④在垂直剖面上,两种人工草林土壤中反硝化势和反硝化菌数均在40 cm深度附近出现峰值,虽然杨树灌木混合林土壤反硝化势[2.1 mg/(kg·h)]是纯杨树林[1.1 mg/(kg·h)]的2倍,但两种人工草林土壤中实际的反硝化速率受ρ(NO₃--N)的限制,没有明显的差别.研究显示,两种人工草林土壤都在40 cm深度附近存在反硝化活跃带.      

Monitoring of diffuse pollution from agriculture to support implementation of the WFD and the Nitrate Directive in Estonia

This paper discusses the monitoring network for diffuse pollution from agriculture in Estonia in the context of implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Nitrate Directive (ND). Seven surface water monitoring stations in agricultural catchments represent two out of three river basin districts designated in Estonia according to the WFD criteria. The national monitoring programme of ground water quality involves 516 stations of which about half were monitored in 2005. The monitoring sites cover all main ground water bodies in Estonia but are largely concentrated in the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). Analyses did not reveal any significant trends in total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in studied rivers during the last 15 years except in one site. The ground water quality stabilised after decrease of nitrate concentrations in the early 1990s, especially in the south part of the NVZ, but even in 2005 the nitrate concentration exceeded 50 mg l⁻¹ in 42 out of 145 ground water samples in this region. The existing surface water quality monitoring network provides only restricted information to select between different management options when implementing action programmes for the NVZ and the river basin management plans (RBMP) under the WFD.     

氮添加和地下水位交互作用对通江湖泊湿生植物陌上菅生长的影响

研究地下水位变化和氮沉降对植物功能性状的影响,有助于揭示植物对环境变化的响应和适应规律.采用原位试验的方法,选择不同地下水位梯度〔低水位（-75 cm）、中水位（-69 cm）、高水位（-39 cm）〕和氮添加〔缺氮处理（430 g/m2）、空白对照（0 g/m2）、低氮（4.32 g/m2）、中氮（8.64 g/m2）、高氮（17.28 g/m2）〕（其中缺氮处理添加量以碳元素含量计,其余处理以氮元素含量计）,研究升金湖消落带湿地物种丰富度、陌上菅（Carex thunbergii）地上生物量和根系形态学指标对地下水位和氮添加的响应.结果表明:①双因素方差分析显示,地下水位主要影响物种丰富度、陌上菅地上生物量和根系形态学指标;氮添加主要影响土壤养分含量和陌上菅比根长、根比表面积及根组织密度;地下水位和氮添加的交互作用对陌上菅比根长和根平均直径影响显著（P < 0.05）;相对而言,水位对陌上菅的影响大于氮添加.②地下水位对陌上菅地上生物量和根系形态学指标有显著影响.地下水位升高会降低陌上菅地上生物量、根系比根长和根组织密度,同时增加其根平均直径和根比表面积,且不同处理间差异显著（P < 0.05）.在空白对照处理下,相比于低水位,高水位下陌上菅地上生物量、比根长和根组织密度分别降低了97.6%、46.1%、86.1%,根平均直径和根比表面积分别增加了326.1%、198.5%.③氮添加主要影响陌上菅根系形态学指标.随着施氮水平的增加,陌上菅比根长和根比表面积呈现先减后增的趋势,根组织密度呈现先增后减的趋势.在高水位条件下,相比于空白对照,低氮处理下陌上菅比根长和根比表面积分别减少了36.1%、41.8%,陌上菅根组织密度增加了182.4%,且差异显著（P < 0.05）.研究显示,地下水位升高与氮添加对陌上菅地上生物量和陌上菅比根长的影响呈相互抵消的态势,这体现了土壤水分增加对陌上菅生长的胁迫作用;水位升高和氮添加对根比表面积和根组织密度的影响表现为协同效应,揭示了在水位胁迫条件下陌上菅对养分获取策略的变化.      

河水-地下水侧向交互带地球化学特征:以重庆市马鞍溪为例

河水-地下水交互带是河水与地下水相互交换和混合的区域,在河流、地下水生态和水质的保护方面具有重要作用.为了解河水-地下水侧向交互带地球化学特征,以重庆市马鞍溪为研究对象,对河水及交互带的水温、溶解氧(DO)、pH值、电导率(EC)进行自动监测,结合对水样离子浓度和交互带沉积物中元素含量的分析.结果表明,马鞍溪侧向交互带水化学类型为HCO_3-Ca·Mg型.监测期间交互带受河水入渗影响为主,交互带的缓冲作用使其温度、DO、pH值、EC等指标变异系数较河水低.随距河岸距离的增加,马鞍溪侧向交互带在物理、化学、生物综合作用下形成了迅速进入缺氧状态的氧化还原环境,以及pH值先降低后升高的酸碱环境.在其影响下,K~+、NH_4~+-N、NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)呈下降趋势,全Mn、EC、Na~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Sr~(2+)等先上升后下降,全Fe、Al~(3+)等呈上升趋势.受河水、地下水长期交互影响,在距河岸约30 cm处的交互带沉积物中元素含量较高,形成独特的水化学梯度.据此可推断出马鞍溪侧向交互带边界可能在距河岸30~50 cm处,其中浅层交互带的边界可能在距河岸10 cm左右的位置.在河水补给地下水过程中,河水-地下水侧向交互带对净化水质有重要作用.     

农药在包气带中迁移过程的数值模拟

根据水动力学弥散理论建立农药在包气带中运移与转化过程的数学模型,评价农药使用对地下水环境的影响。选择应用范围广、用量大、毒性高的7种农药为目标污染物,以汉江流域的中下游地区的气象与土壤特征为条件进行模拟,结果表明,甲胺磷、乐果、甲草胺容易在土壤中淋溶,对地下水造成很大威胁。根据地下水埋深和设定的浓度限值,估算了农药对地下水的安全使用量。     

黑河中游边缘荒漠-绿洲非饱和带土壤质地对土壤氮积累与地下水氮污染的影响

在灌溉农田生态系统,土壤剖面中硝态氮(NO-3-N)的积累、分布、运移及地下水氮污染不仅受灌溉、施肥的影响,也与土壤质地有密切联系.本研究在黑河流域中游临泽平川绿洲设置了黑河河漫滩-老绿洲农田-新垦绿洲农田-绿洲外围固沙带一个监测断面10个观测井,对地下水NO-3-N含量进行连续监测,并对不同景观单元非饱和带土壤质地和NO-3-N含量进行了分析,对不同质地土壤NO-3-N在剖面的运移变化和氮淋溶损失进行监测.结果表明老绿洲农田,0~300 cm土层土壤质地的垂向分布为上层砂壤土,下层为壤土和黏壤土;而新垦沙地农田在土壤剖面中也有洪积黏土层出现,但0~300 cm不同土层砂粒含量均在80%以上;绿洲外围固沙带土壤在160 cm以下出现黏土层分布;土壤NO-3-N含量与黏粉粒含量呈显著相关,显著程度固沙带>新垦绿洲农田>老绿洲农田.土壤黏粉粒含量显著影响氮的淋溶.老绿洲农田区域,地下水NO-3-N含量变动在1.01~5.17 mg·L-1,平均2.65 mg·L-1;新垦沙地农田区域地下水NO-3-N含量变动在6.6~29.5 mg·L-1,平均20.8mg·L-1,2013年5~10月平均含量为26.5 mg·L-1,较2012年同期平均值上升了9.5 mg·L-1;绿洲外围固沙带地下水NO-3-N含量呈明显的增加趋势.地下水浅埋区非饱和带土壤质地是土壤NO-3-N淋溶损失和地下水NO-3-N污染的关键控制因子.边缘绿洲新垦沙地农田是地下水氮污染的脆弱带和高风险区域,实施有效降低地下水氮污染的种植模式及施肥和灌溉管理是区域生态农业需考虑的问题.     

唐山市平原区地下水脆弱性评价研究

根据唐山市平原区的具体状况 ,选择地下水埋深等 6个参数作为该地区地下水脆弱性评价因子 ,评价因子的评分体系通过数值模拟建立 ,权重体系由主成分分析和因子分析得到 .利用建立的评价体系 ,结合GIS技术对该地区的地下水脆弱性进行评价 ,并得到地下水脆弱性分布图 .评价结果与该地区实测及预测的硝酸盐浓度分布状况吻合较好 .     

Determination of nitrogen reduction levels necessary to reach groundwater quality targets in Slovenia

Within a collaborative project between Slovenian Environment Agency （ARSO） and Research Center Jfilich （FZJ）, nitrogen reduction levels necessary to reach groundwater quality targets in Slovenia were assessed. For this purpose the hydrological model GROWA- DENUZ was coupled with agricultural N balances and applied consistently to the whole territory of Slovenia in a spatial resolution of 100 x 100 m. GROWA was used to determine the water balance in Slovenia for the hydrologic period 1971-2000. Simultaneously, the displaceable N load in soft was assessed from agricultural Slovenian N surpluses for 2011 and the atmospheric N deposition. Subsequently, the DENUZ model was used to assess the nitrate degradation in soil and, in combination with the percolation water rates from the GROWA model, to determine nitrate concentration in the leachate. The areas showing predicted nitrate concentrations in the leachate above the EU groundwater quality standard of 50 mg NO3/L have been identified as priority areas for implementing nitrogen reduction measures. For these ＂hot spot＂ areas DENUZ was used in a backward mode to quantify the maximal permissible nitrogen surplus levels in agriculture to guarantee a nitrate concentration in percolation water below 50 mg NO3/L. Model results indicate that additional N reduction measures should be implemented in priority areas rather than area-covering. Research work will directly support the implementation of the European Union Water Framework Directive in Slovenia, e.g., by using the maximal permissible nitrogen surplus levels as a framework for the derivation of regionally adapted and hence effective nitrogen reduction measures.     

金佛山地区地下水硝态氮污染时空变异性研究

根据1976～1977年、2004～2006年和2009年金佛山地区23处地下水排泄点水中硝态氮的质量浓度,采用地球化学、统计学与GIS相结合的方法确定了区内地下水中硝态氮的地球化学背景值,分析了硝态氮污染的时空变异特征.结果表明,区内地下水中硝态氮的地球化学背景值为0.72～2.00 mg.L-1,正异常下限为3.20 mg.L-1;2004～2006年和2009年金佛山自然保护区内地下水硝态氮平均质量浓度为：2.08、2.67、2.59和3.92 mg.L-1;保护区外为：39.08、25.46、17.99和13.73mg.L-1;平均超标率（标准规定NO 3--N≤10 mg.L-1）为：451.64%、478.61%、331.85%和145.67%;最高浓度为：157.58、118.04、63.82和46.18 mg.L-1;最大超标率为：1 475.81%、1 080.39%、538.20%和361.78%.插值分析结果显示,区内地下水中硝态氮高值中心随时间而变化,低值区沿金佛山自然保护区分布.当地合理的环境保护政策和产业结构调整,对环境保护工作起到了积极作用.     

汉江下游河水-地下水交互带中地下水水化学和氮分布特征

河水-地下水交互带被称为生物过滤器,对氮等污染物有截留净化功能.为研究汉江下游河水-地下水交互带氮的分布特征,本文设立了3个剖面和9口钻井,采集沉积物和地下水样品并进行测试.结果 表明,在样品采集期间交互带剖面1河水补给地下水,剖面2地下水补给河水,剖面3河水和地下水水位持平.交互带地下水pH整体上呈中性,主要水化学类...     

Impact of land-use types on nitrate concentration and δN in unconfined groundwater in rural areas of Korea

An understanding of the long-term changes in the nitrate contamination pattern of unconfined groundwater is critical to conservation of drinking water in rural areas supporting mixed land-use activities such as cropping, livestock farming, and residence. To examine the effect of different land-use activities on nitrate contamination, groundwater samples were collected monthly for 3 years (1997–1999) from 12 wells in rural areas with different land-use activities and analyzed for the concentrations and N isotopic ratios (δ¹⁵N) of nitrate. The characteristics of nitrate contamination clearly differed with land-use activities. The percentages of samples that had a nitrate concentration exceeding the national standard for drinking water (10 mg N L⁻¹) were 0, 23, 43, and 67% for the uncontaminated natural area, cropping area, cropping-livestock farming complex area, and residential area, respectively. The range of δ¹⁵N values was between +1.4 and +4.5‰ for groundwater nitrate from the uncontaminated natural area. In the cropping area, the δ¹⁵N values were slightly different with the type of fertilizer applied to fields in the vicinity of the well, and the values ranged between +8.7 and +14.4‰ for the compost-applied area and between +4.5 and +8.5‰ for the area where urea was applied with compost. The δ¹⁵N values of the cropping-livestock farming complex area ranged from +1.0 to +17.7‰, probably resulting from mixed contamination sources (inorganic fertilizer and livestock manure). The well located closest to the livestock feedlot had relatively higher δ¹⁵N values, with a range between +8.7 and +17.6‰. In the residential area, a higher δ¹⁵N (most frequently above +10‰) of nitrate suggested that the major source of contamination was effluent from leaky septic tanks. Our data showed that unconfined groundwater is susceptible to land-use activities above the aquifers, and the impacts of the activities could be more precisely inferred from long-term data on the concentration and δ¹⁵N of nitrate. By determining the impacts, more effective (specific to contamination sources) measures for preventing groundwater quality could be implemented.