Variations of denitrification in a farming catchment area

We measured denitrification at 15 sites during 1 year in a agricultural catchment in Brittany, France. Our objective was to assess the relative importance of heterotrophic denitrification on the fate of excess nitrogen at the catchment scale, and to quantify the relative importance of riparian areas on the N₂O emissions. Using the C₂H₂ inhibition technique, denitrification rate on soil core and denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA) were each determined, for samples taken from two soil layers: 0–20 and 20–40 cm. Denitrification rates, ranging from 0 to 417 mg N m⁻² d⁻¹, were significantly higher in riparian areas than for hillslopes (median of 24.87 against 10.38 mg N m⁻² d⁻¹). However, since denitrification rates are significant in the hillslope and given that hillslope surface area is much greater (79% of catchment surface), this domain could be responsible for half of the overall denitrified nitrogen (N). Also, the 20–40 cm deep soil layer was found to account for more than 46% of the denitrification. The DEA indicates the potential for denitrifying activity by the soil under non-limiting conditions, measured values ranged from 76.48 to 530.63 ng N g⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹. The ratio N₂O/(N₂O + N₂) was about 60% with no clear spatial or temporal trends. Soil moisture appeared to be the main limiting factor for denitrification at the field scale. The results suggest that, for this catchment, denitrification is a major route for nitrogen removal, but a significant proportion of this removal occurs as N₂O.     

Modelling nitrogen cycles of farming systems as basis of site- and farm-specific nitrogen management

The paper describes a model designed for analysing interrelated nitrogen (N) fluxes in farming systems. It combines the partial N balance, farm gate balance, barn balance and soil surface balance, in order to analyse all relevant N fluxes between the subsystems soil–plant–animal–environment and to reflect conclusive and consistent management systems. Such a system approach allows identifying the causes of varying N surplus and N utilisation.The REPRO model has been applied in the experimental farm Scheyern in southern Germany, which had been subdivided into an organic (org) and a conventional (con) farming system in 1992. Detailed series of long-term measuring data are available for the experimental farm, which have been used for evaluating the software for its efficiency and applicability under very different management, yet nearly equal site conditions.The organic farm is multi-structured with a legume-based crop rotation (N₂ fixation: 83 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). The livestock density is 1.4 LSU ha⁻¹. The farm is oriented on closed mass cycles.The conventional farm is a simple-structured cash crop system based on mineral N (N input 145 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Averaging the years 1999–2002, the organic crop rotation reached, with regard to the harvested products, about 81% (6.9 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) of the DM yield and about 93% (140 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) of the N removal of the conventional rotation. Related to the cropped area, the N surplus calculated for the organic rotation was 38 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ versus 44 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for the conventional rotation. The N utilisation reached 0.77 (org) and 0.79 (con), respectively. The different structure of the farms favoured an enhancement of the soil organic nitrogen stock (35 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) in the organic crop rotation and caused a decline in the conventional system (−24 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Taking account of these changes, which were substantiated by measurements, N surplus in the organic rotation decreased to 3 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, while it increased to 68 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in the conventional system. The adjusted N utilisation value amounted to 0.98 (org) and 0.69 (con), respectively.     

Atmospheric deposition contributes little nutrient and sediment to stream flow from an agricultural watershed

Atmospheric deposition of nutrients within agricultural watersheds has received scant attention and is poorly understood compared to nutrient transport in surface and subsurface water flow pathways. Thus, we determined the deposition of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and sediment in a mixed land use watershed in south-central Pennsylvania (39.5 ha; 50% corn–wheat–soybean rotation, 20% pasture, and 30% woodland), in comparison with stream loads at several locations along its reach between 2004 and 2006. There was a significant difference in deposition rates among land uses (P < 0.05) with more P and N deposited on cropland (1.93 kg P and 10.71 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) than pasture (1.10 kg P and 8.06 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and woodland (0.36 and 2.33 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Although not significant, sediment showed the same trends among land uses. A significant relationship was found between P in deposition and P in soil <10-m away from the samplers suggesting much of the deposited sample was derived from local soil. Samplers adjacent to the stream channel showed deposition rates (1.64 kg P and 8.83 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) similar to those on cropland. However, accounting for the surface area of the stream, direct deposition of P, N, and sediment probably accounted for <3% of P and <1% of N and sediment load in stream flow from the watershed (1.41 kg P, 27.09 kg N, and 1343 kg sediment ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ at the outlet). This suggests that strategies to mitigate nutrient and sediment loss in this mixed-land use watershed should focus on runoff pathways.     

Simulated dynamics of carbon stocks driven by changes in land use, management and climate in a tropical moist ecosystem of Ghana

Sub-Saharan Africa is large and diverse with regions of food insecurity and high vulnerability to climate change. This project quantifies carbon stocks and fluxes in the humid forest zone of Ghana, as a part of an assessment in West Africa. The General Ensemble biogeochemical Modeling System (GEMS) was used to simulate the responses of natural and managed systems to projected scenarios of changes in climate, land use and cover, and nitrogen fertilization in the Assin district of Ghana. Model inputs included historical land use and cover data, historical climate records and projected climate changes, and national management inventories. Our results show that deforestation for crop production led to a loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) by 33% from 1900 to 2000. The results also show that the trend of carbon emissions from cropland in the 20th century will continue through the 21st century and will be increased under the projected warming and drying scenarios. Nitrogen (N) fertilization in agricultural systems could offset SOC loss by 6% with 30 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and by 11% with 60 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. To increase N fertilizer input would be one of the vital adaptive measures to ensure food security and maintain agricultural sustainability through the 21st century.     

Comparison of grassland management systems for beef cattle using self-contained farmlets: effects of contrasting nitrogen inputs and management strategies on nitrogen budgets, and herbage and animal production

Past research on nitrogen (N) inputs, losses and surpluses focused on separate components of grassland management, i.e., grazed or cut swards and the impact of fertiliser or slurry applications. In practice, however, grassland is both grazed and cut for conservation, and N fertiliser is supplied from both organic and inorganic sources. A whole systems approach was used to evaluate the effects of combinations of management strategies designed to reduce N losses on N budgets, and herbage and animal production in South West England. Three systems with contrasting N inputs were compared: CN, conventional mineral N application and broadcast slurry; TN, tactical mineral N application with slurry injection and the early housing of cattle; GC, a mixed grass/white clover sward with no mineral N addition and slurry injection. Comparisons were made on two contrasting soil types: a freely-draining sandy loam (Gleysol, Site 1), and a poorly drained clay (Luvisol, Site 2). 1 ha farmlets were grazed to a target sward height by beef cattle for a 5-year (Site 1) or a 4-year (Site 2) period. Herbage surplus to grazing requirements was cut for silage. On average, 185 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied annually to treatment TN compared with 280 kg N ha⁻¹ for CN. An additional 76, 102 and 67 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied in slurry to treatments CN, TN and GC, respectively. Substantial reductions in N surpluses were achieved for both treatments TN and GC compared with treatment CN (N surpluses ha⁻¹: 254, 168 and 119 kg at Site 1, and 247 kg, 190 and 73 kg at Site 2, for CN, TN and GC, respectively). The highest N input for treatment CN was associated with the greatest animal and herbage production. More land was required for grazing on treatment GC and less herbage was cut for silage so that self-sufficiency was not attained for winter fodder on this treatment. The early removal of cattle on treatment TN did not result in a significant increase in the amount of herbage cut for silage. It was concluded that the combinations of mitigation options used were successful in reducing N surpluses compared with the conventional N management system, but animal and herbage production was reduced.     

Assessment of the nitrogen and carbon budget of two managed temperate grassland fields

Greenhouse gas budgets as well as the productivity of grassland systems are closely related to the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles. Within the framework of the CarboEurope and NitroEurope projects we have measured C and N exchange on the field scale at the grassland site Oensingen previously converted from arable rotation. The site is located on the Swiss Central Plateau and consists of two parallel fields of equal size. One field was subjected to intensive management with average nitrogen input of 230 kg-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 4–5 cuts per year, and the other to an extensive management with no fertilisation and less frequent cutting. The total C budget of the fields was assessed by measuring the CO₂ exchange by eddy covariance and analysing the carbon import by manure application and export by harvest. The N budget of the managed grassland is more complex. Besides the management related import and export, it includes gaseous exchange in many different forms (NO, NO₂, HNO₃, N₂O, NH₃, N₂) needing different analytical techniques, as well as input by rain and leaching of N-compounds with the soil water. The main (“level-3”) field sites in the NitroEurope project are supposed to measure 95% of the N fluxes at the field scale. For several of the N fluxes specific measurements have been performed for 1 year or longer at the site. Some of the remaining N budget components (dry and wet deposition) could be estimated from results of a national deposition network, while other components (NH₃ and N₂ emission) were estimated based on literature parameterisations. However, we found indications that the (systematic) uncertainties of these estimated N-fluxes are large and that it is important to make site-specific measurement for all relevant budget components. The suitability of corresponding experimental methods is discussed.Analysis of the C budget over a 6-year period (2002–2007) showed a significant mean difference between the two newly established grassland fields with a likely net carbon loss for the extensive management and a net sequestration for the intensive management. Since the C/N ratio of the soil organic matter of the grassland is constrained in a rather narrow range around 9.3, the change in the soil carbon pool is supposed to be accompanied by a corresponding change in the N storage. This approach provided an alternative method to check the N budget of the two grassland fields derived from the individual N fluxes.     

岸边带湿地对富营养化河流的净化作用研究

对北运河上游污染严重流域实地调查发现,水中TN、TP和NH4+-N的最大超标倍数分别为12、10和7,以NH4+-N污染为主要特征.对北运河流域沙河水库附近一处典型岸边带湿地进行深入研究发现,天然河流岸边带湿地系统对河水中NH4+-N、TN和TP浓度有明显的削减作用,分别由河水中的27.0、29.0、1.82mg·L-1降至湿地中的2.50、6.54、0.12mg·L-1.由于微生物驱动的硝化-反硝化脱氮作用以及岸边带植物对营养元素的吸收作用,植被型岸边带沉积物中NH4+-N、TN和OM含量(分别为23.0mg·kg-1,0.66g·kg-1和9.13g·kg-1)分别为裸露型岸边带沉积物的0.20,0.48,0.67倍.植被型岸边带沉积物各层C/N比(平均为8.68)是裸露型岸边带沉积物各层C/N比(5.53)的1.6倍,为反硝化作用的发生提供了相对充足的碳源.与裸露型岸边带相比,植被型岸边带更利于营养元素的去除.作为工程实例,模拟天然河流岸边带湿地的罗马湖旁路/离线人工湿地系统对水体营养元素有显著的去除作用.     

Effect of atmospheric precipitation on the dissolved loads of the Dongjiang River, China

IntroductionTheatmosphericprecipitationhaslongbeenrecognizedasprovidinganinputofsubstancetothesurfacewaterandasourceofelementscarriedbyrivers (Stallard ,1981;Meybeck ,1983) .Itisestimatedthatapproximately 3 0 %ofsoluteloadsofworldriversarederivedfromthera…     

Effect of fertilization and irrigation schedule on water and fertilizer solute transport for wheat crop in a sub-humid sub-tropical region

In order to increase the water and fertilizer use efficiency and decrease the losses of water and fertilizer solutes (N and P), it is necessary to assess the influence of level of fertilization and irrigation schedule on movement and balance of water and fertilizers in the root zone. With this goal, the reported study was undertaken to determine the effect of fertilization and irrigation schedule on water movement and fertilizer solute transport in wheat crop field in a sub-tropical sub-humid region. Field experiments were conducted on wheat crop of cultivar Sonalika (Triticum aestivum L.) during the years 2002–2003, 2003–2004 and 2004–2005. Each experiment consisted of four fertilizer treatments and three irrigation treatments during the wheat growth period. During the experiment, the irrigation treatments were: I₁ = 10% maximum allowable depletion (MAD) of available soil water (ASW); I₂ = 40% MAD of ASW; I₃ = 60% MAD of ASW. The fertilizer treatments during the experiment were: F₁ = control treatment with N:P₂O₅:K₂O as 0:0:0 kg ha⁻¹; F₂ = fertilizer application of N:P₂O₅:K₂O as 80:40:40 kg ha⁻¹; F₃ = fertilizer application of N:P₂O₅:K₂O as 120:60:60 kg ha⁻¹ and F₄ = fertilizer application of N:P₂O₅:K₂O as 160:80:80 kg ha⁻¹. The results of the investigation revealed that low volume high frequency irrigation results in higher deep percolation losses than the low frequency high volume irrigation with different levels of fertilization for wheat crop in coarse lateritic soil, whereas different levels of fertilization did not significantly affect soil water balance of the wheat crop root zone during all the irrigation schedules. Level of fertilization and irrigation schedule had significant effect on nitrogen leaching loss whereas irrigation schedules had no significant effect on nitrogen uptake under different levels of fertilization. On the other hand, the leaching loss of phosphorus was not significantly influenced by the irrigation schedule and level of fertilization of wheat crop. This indicated that PO₄–P leaching loss was very low in the soil solution as compared to nitrogen due to fixation of phosphorus in soils. From the observed data of nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency, it was revealed that irrigation schedule with 40% maximum allowable depletion of available soil water with F₂ fertilizer treatment (N:P₂O₅:K₂O as 80:40:40 kg ha⁻¹) was the threshold limit for wheat crop with respect to nitrogen and phosphorus use, crop yield and environmental pollution.     

南方丘陵地区竹林河岸系统的氮矿化、反硝化作用研究

采用原位培养法和乙炔抑制-静态土柱培养法,对南方丘陵地区竹林河岸系统的矿化、反硝化作用进行了研究.结果表明,研究区土壤氮矿化速率为-0.28～0.30mg·kg^1·d^-1（以N计,下同）,且与土壤含水量存在显著正相关（p〈0.05）.在系统中,与入口区与中部区的土壤氮矿化作用平均强度相比,毗邻河道的河岸区更为强烈....     

基于MEA情景的长江流域氮平衡及溶解态无机氮通量:流域-河口/海湾氮综合管理

以长江流域氮循环为研究对象,基于千年生态系统评估框架下的4种情景,预测了2050年长江流域的氮循环在不同驱动因子作用下的未来变化趋势,并提出长江流域生态系统的优化管理的建议.研究结果表明,在1970—2010年期间,长江流域氮输入量增加了5倍,长江向河口输出的溶解态无机氮(DIN)通量增加了8倍,流域土壤中的氮已经达到饱和并且氮过剩量持续增加,流域对氮的截留率下降,水体输送的DIN通量增加,区域氮循环失衡问题日益严重.在千年生态系统评估框架下,预测在2050年,在采取积极措施的预测情境下,河流向河口和近海输送的溶解态无机氮通量将会比2000年有所下降,而在消极应对的预测情境下,河流向河口和近海输送的溶解态无机氮通量将会继续增加,从而加剧河口和近海地区水体的污染程度.非点源氮输入将是长江溶解态无机氮输出通量的主要来源,其中以化肥氮输入为主,其次为禽畜粪便氮输入,贡献率最低的是点源污水氮输入.情景预测及源解析研究表明,2050年长江流域-河口/海湾氮污染控制的重点在于减少长江下游-太湖流域、沅江-湘江-洞庭湖流域、赣江-鄱阳湖流域及岷江流域的化肥及畜禽粪便排放,2050年要实现长江水系水质全面达标,长江流域的氮输入量需要削减29%,其中长江下游-太湖流域削减40%,汉江流域削减43%,沅江-湘江-洞庭湖流域削减31%.从子流域尺度制定氮污染管理策略更适用于流域-河口/海湾系统框架下的综合管理.     

European scale application of atmospheric reactive nitrogen measurements in a low-cost approach to infer dry deposition fluxes

A European scale network was established in 2006 as part of the NitroEurope Integrated Project to infer reactive nitrogen (Nr) dry deposition fluxes, based on low-cost sampling of gaseous and aerosol species and inferential modelling. The network provides monthly measurements of NH₃, NH₄⁺, HNO₃ and NO₃⁻, as well as SO₂, SO₄²⁻, HCl, Cl⁻ and base cations at 58 sites. Measurements are made with an established low-cost denuder methodology (DELTA) as a basis to: (1) examine temporal trends and spatial patterns across Europe, (2) improve and calibrate inferential modelling techniques to estimate exchange of Nr species, (3) provide best estimates of atmospheric dry N deposition, and (4) permit an analysis of net GHG exchange in relation to atmospheric and agricultural N inputs at the European scale. Responsibility for measurements is shared among seven European laboratories. An inter-comparison of the DELTA implementation by 6 laboratories at 4 test sites (Montelibretti, Italy; Braunschweig, Germany; Paterna, Spain and Auchencorth, UK) from July to October 2006 provided training for the laboratories and showed that good agreement was achieved in different climatic conditions (87% of laboratory site-means within 20% of the inter-laboratory median). Results obtained from the first year of measurements show substantial spatial variability in atmospheric Nr concentrations, illustrating the major local (NH₃) and regional (HNO₃, NO₃⁻, and NH₄⁺) differences in Nr concentrations. These results provide the basis to develop future estimates of site-based Nr dry deposition fluxes across Europe, and highlight the role of NH₃, largely of agricultural origin, which was the largest single constituent and will dominate dry Nr fluxes at most sites.     

广州市流溪河河岸带土壤反硝化作用的多尺度影响因子

以广州市水源地流溪河二级支流的河岸带为研究对象,分析嵌套结构的多尺度因素对河岸带土壤反硝化作用的影响,确定调节河岸带土壤反硝化酶活性的不同尺度控制因素.结果表明:以土壤反硝化酶活性表征的反硝化潜力,其在研究区内的剖面尺度空间变异性显著大于断面尺度和流域景观尺度;反硝化酶活性的空间变异受多尺度因子的作用,其中剖面尺度中土壤有机碳、全氮、硝态氮等因子对其空间分布起主要的直接控制作用,而断面尺度的景观位置、植被密度与流域景观尺度的地形指数、高程及土地利用类型等因子通过影响土壤性质而间接调控反硝化酶的空间分异性;研究区的反硝化酶活性在剖面尺度中表层最高,随着深度增加呈急剧减小的趋势;断面尺度中活性值最高位于河岸区中间的景观位置,因该位置具有良好的景观连接性和较高的植被密度;流域景观尺度中,除受人为扰动严重城市化地区外,河岸带土壤反硝化酶活性沿流域从上游至下游呈不断增加的趋势.     

Denitrification: its importance in a river draining an intensively cropped watershed

Nitrogen transport was studied during summer low flows in a 20-km reach of the Nottawasaga River which drains an intensively cropped sand plain which has an underlying shallow water-table aquifer. Nitrogen inputs to the river were measured on days in May to October of 1977-81. These data indicated that about 38% of the daily nitrate input entered the river through ground water. The magnitude of this input is a consequence of widespread contamination of the shallow aquifer by nitrogen fertilizer. Ground water entering the river from springs and seeps near fertilized fields frequently contained more than 10 mg 1^?1 of NO₃-N. Mass balance studies of nitrogen transport in the river revealed an average daily nitraof 46 ± 23 kg N. This rate of nitrate removal represented about 40% of the ground water input to the river from the sand plain. Analysis of a mass balance for total Kjeldahl nitrogen revealed an essentially balanced budget, whereas chloride showed a small daily gain of about 5%. Laboratory experiments involving the incubation of stream sediment cores and the use of the acetylene block technique suggested that the bulk of the nitrate loss during river transport was caused by denitrification in bottom sediments.     

Temporal and spatial variation of nitrogen and phosphorus and eutrophication assessment for a typical arid river—Fuyang River in northern China

Based on water quality surveys over 2 years(July to December,in 2014 and 2015) in a typical arid river in northern China the Xingtai segment of the Fuyang River basin — the variation of nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) was analyzed.The extent of water eutrophication of this segment was also assessed using a universal index formula for eutrophic evaluation and a logarithmic power function.The results showed that the average concentration of total N(TN) was 27.2 mg/L(NH_3-N,63.5%),total P(TP) was 2.0 mg/L(solution reactive phosphorus,68.8%).Temporal and spatial variations of N and P in this segment were observed.Concentrations of N and P in the arid season were higher than those in the rainy season.Spatially,the N and P concentrations followed the same trend;i.e.,higher in the city segment than in the suburbs,and decreasing along the river.The water eutrophication in the studied segment reached extremely high levels at all times(eutrophication index ≥76.3).Spatially,its trend was clearly linked with N and P.Water shortage,pollution accumulation and a weak self-purification function are the main reasons for the prominent eutrophication in this segment.     

Environmental cross-compliance mitigates nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from Swiss agriculture

In 1993 the Swiss agricultural policy was revised with – amongst other goals – the objective of improving the environmental performance of agriculture. A voluntary agri-environmental scheme to promote integrated production (IP) was introduced. In 1999 the IP standards were integrated in cross compliance requirements and termed Proof of Ecological Performance (PEP). We evaluated the effectiveness of this policy in terms of reducing diffuse nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) pollution of ground and surface water. We combined monitoring schemes covering the reference period from before the introduction of IP/PEP (1990–1992) with the evaluation of cause/effect relationships in selected case-study areas. The evaluation showed an overall reduction of diffuse N and P pollution from agriculture even though some goals were not reached. Nitrate leaching declined, but only a 3–4 mg L⁻¹ reduction was observed rather than the intended decrease of 5 mg L⁻¹. The P pollution of surface waters from agriculture decreased by only 10–30% instead of 50%. The intended reduction of the nitrogen surplus of Swiss agriculture by 33% was not attained, but the P surplus of Swiss agriculture was more than halved. IP/PEP practices that improved N and P management included reduced N and P fertiliser inputs and pig and poultry feedstuffs with reduced N and P contents, both of which are a consequence of the requirement of equilibrated farm nutrient balances, as well as increased use of cover cropping and of conservation tillage systems.     

Gaseous emissions from weaned pigs raised on different floor systems

Gaseous emissions from agriculture contribute to a number of environmental effects. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are greenhouse gases taking part to the global problem of climate change. Ammonia (NH₃) emissions are responsible of soil acidification and eutrophication and contribute also to indirect emissions of N₂O. This work evaluated the influence of the type of floor on the emissions of these gases in the raising of weaned pigs. Two trials were carried out. In the first trial, the animals were kept either on fully slatted floor or on straw-based deep litter and, in the second one, either on fully slatted floor or on sawdust-based deep litter. For each trial and on each type of floor, 2 successive batches of weaned pigs were raised without changing the litter or emptying the slurry pit between the 2 batches. The rooms were automatically ventilated to maintain a constant ambient temperature.The performance of the animals was not significantly different according to the floor type. In trial 1, the nitrogen contents of the straw deep litter (including the substrate) and slurry were respectively 276 and 389 g pig⁻¹. In trial 2, the sawdust deep litter and slurry nitrogen contents were respectively 122 and 318 g pig⁻¹.Raising pigs on straw deep litter produced proportionately around 100% more NH₃ than raising pigs on slatted floor (0.61 g NH₃-N d⁻¹ pig⁻¹ vs. 0.31 g NH₃-N d⁻¹ pig⁻¹; P < 0.05). Differences in CO₂, H₂O and CH₄ emissions were not significant between systems. Raising pigs on sawdust deep litter produced also proportionately more NH₃ (+52%; 0.55 g NH₃-N d⁻¹ pig⁻¹ vs. 0.36 g NH₃-N d⁻¹ pig⁻¹; P < 0.01) but also more CO₂ (+25%; 427 g d⁻¹ pig⁻¹ vs. 341 g d⁻¹ pig⁻¹; P < 0.001) and H₂O (+65%; 981 g d⁻¹ pig⁻¹ vs. 593 g d⁻¹ pig⁻¹; P < 0.001) and less CH₄ (−40%; 0.52 g d⁻¹ pig⁻¹ vs. 0.86 g d⁻¹ pig⁻¹; P < 0.001) than raising pigs on slatted floor. Practically no N₂O emission was observed from rooms with slatted floor while the N₂O emissions were 0.03 and 0.32 g N₂O-N d⁻¹ pig⁻¹ for the straw and sawdust deep litter respectively. The warming potential of the greenhouse gases (N₂O + CH₄), were about 22, 34 and 168 g CO₂ equivalents per day and per pig on fully slatted floor, straw or sawdust deep litter respectively.In conclusion, pollutant gas emissions from rearing of weaned pig seem lower with fully slatted plastic floor system than with deep litter systems.     

河道硬化对傍河地下水源补给结构及范围的影响

为研究傍河地下水的水均衡状况,以及傍河水源井群补给范围受河道硬化的影响,选取张家口盆地的Y傍河地下水源地为研究对象.采用数值模拟法建立研究区地下水数值模型,通过水均衡分析探究河道硬化对傍河地下水水均衡状况造成的影响;利用MODPATH对水源井群进行质点反向示踪模拟,获得井口质点向前追踪1 000 d的补给范围,对比水源井群补给范围并结合历史与近期水质数据分析河道硬化造成的影响.结果表明:①傍河地下水水均衡情况显示,主要的补给项为边界流入和降雨入渗,二者补给量分别为208.04×103与35.91×103 m3/d,占比分别为82.88%与14.31%;主要的排泄项为边界流出与地下水开采,二者排泄量分别为152.12×103与95.40×103 m3/d,占比分别为60.60%与38.01%.②河道硬化对傍河地下水水均衡的影响表现为河水对地下水的入渗量减少了46.79×103 m3/d,入渗量减幅为86.91%,且地下水停止了对河水的排泄,补给范围地下水水位下降了2~6 m.③河道硬化对傍河水源井群补给范围的影响表现为井群1 000 d的补给范围沿河流方向上减少了271 m,垂直河流的最宽距离增加了210 m,面积增加了0.77 km2,补给区域向远离河岸的方向发生偏移.④河道硬化对傍河地下水水质影响表现为河道硬化后傍河地下水pH、总硬度、氨氮浓度等均下降,有效减少了地表水污染物的入渗,但地下水的化学环境发生改变,潜在风险增加.研究显示,河道硬化极大地阻碍了河流与地下水之间的相互作用,严重影响了傍河地下水源的补给量和补给范围,使水源井群的补给区域发生偏移,给傍河地下水水源安全带来新的潜在风险.      

Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel demand and solar energy conversion efficiency in European bioethanol production for automotive purposes

Crop derived biofuels such as (bio)ethanol are increasingly applied for automotive purposes. They have, however, a relatively low efficiency in converting solar energy into automotive power. The outcome of life cycle studies concerning ethanol as to fossil fuel inputs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with such inputs depend strongly on the assumptions made regarding e.g. allocation, inclusion of upstream processes and estimates of environmentally relevant in- and outputs. Peer reviewed studies suggest that CO₂ emissions linked to life cycle fossil fuel input are typically about 2.1–3.0 kg CO₂ kg⁻¹ starch-derived ethanol. When biofuel production involves agricultural practices that are common in Europe there are net losses of carbon from soil and emissions of the greenhouse gas N₂O. Dependent on choices regarding allocation, they may, for wheat (starch) be in the order of 0.6–2.5 kg CO₂ equivalent kg⁻¹ of ethanol. This makes ethanol derived from starch, or sugar crops, in Europe still less attractive for mitigating climate change. In case of wheat, changes in agricultural practice may reduce or reverse carbon loss from soils. When biofuel production from crops leads to expansion of cropland while reducing forested areas or grassland, added impetus will be given to climate change.     

Runoff water quality from manured riparian grasslands with contrasting drainage and simulated grazing pressure

Globally, management of grazed riparian areas is critically important to agricultural sustainability and environmental quality. However, the potential impacts of riparian grazing management on water quality are not well-documented, particularly in the southeastern USA. The objective of this work was to determine sediment and nutrient export under simulated rainfall from poorly drained and well-drained riparian soils where heavy or light grazing pressure by cattle was simulated. Plots were established on stands of existing vegetation to create grazing pressure treatments of (a) light-use (full ground cover, uncompacted), and with stands modified to establish (b) heavy-use (bare ground, compacted) treatments. Vegetation on poorly drained soils consisted of several typical wetland species (e.g., Pontederia cordata L., Juncus coriaceus Mackenzie) in the southeastern USA, whereas mixed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)–dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) stands were the dominant vegetation on well-drained soils. Runoff volume was generally greater from heavy-use than from light-use for poorly drained soils and for well-drained soils. Greater runoff volume was also observed from poorly drained soils compared to well-drained soils for both light-use and for heavy-use treatments. Light-use plots were remarkably effective at minimizing export of total suspended solids (TSS) on both soils (<30 kg ha⁻¹). Mean total Kjeldahl P (TKP) export was fourfold greater from heavy-use plots than from light-use plots on both soils. While export of nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) was unaffected by grazing pressure and soil drainage, mean ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄-N) and total N (TN) export from poorly drained heavy-use plots was greater than fivefold that from well-drained light-use plots. Results indicate that livestock heavy-use areas in the riparian zone may export substantial TSS and nutrients, especially on poorly drained soils. However, when full ground cover is maintained on well-drained soils, TSS and nutrient losses may be limited.