Variability of Flow and Solutes in the Rattaphum Catchment (Songkhla Lake Basin), Thailand

Pesticides can have a number of adverse impacts on crops, soil and water. In this paper, we focus on the physical and hydraulic properties of soils controlling the leaching of pesticides into the shallow groundwater of the Rattaphum Catchment in Thailand. Results from an analysis of soil physical properties, hydraulic conductivity, dye tracer and bromide tests show that the top 10–30 cm of soils in the three agro-ecosystems (vegetables, fruits and rubber) have a high clay and organic carbon content and are relatively impermeable with very low hydraulic conductivity (15–40 cm/day). Most of the dye and bromide were retained in the top clayey layer; the bromide forming a miniature bulge below 30 cm in two profiles which dissipated after 30 days, while the pesticides were mainly confined to the top 10 cm.     

Regional Assessment of Nutrient and Pesticide Leaching in the Vegetable Production Area of Rattaphum Catchment, Thailand

Regional groundwater vulnerability maps to indicate the impact of leaching of chemicals under different management scenarios were prepared for the Rattaphum Catchment using several leaching models and GIS techniques. The Attenuation Factor (AF) model was used to simulate the leaching potential of several pesticides for selected soils in the catchment under different rates of recharge from irrigation. The LEACHN model was used to simulate the NO₃ ⁻ leaching potential and LEACHP was used to simulate leaching potential of metolachlor under different management scenarios. The results showed that only a small number of pesticides have the potential to contaminate the shallow groundwater. However, the risk of contamination with nutrients is much higher due to the mobility and conservative nature of the NO₃ ⁻. The LEACHP results indicated that the intensive use of agrochemicals in the vegetable growing area, especially during the rainy season when the groundwater is near the surface, increases the risk of pesticide contamination. The results of upscaling from the farm to the catchment scale using soil maps and GIS techniques under various management scenarios and chemical application rates showed that the most effective strategy to reduce chemical leaching is by reducing pesticide application rates and optimizing the application of irrigation water. The identification of potential high risk farms by ranking soils and agricultural practices could be used to formulate management practices that reduce pesticide contamination of the surface and ground water resources in the area.     

In situ Measurement of Daphnia longispina Grazing on Algae and Bacteria in a High Mountain Lake (Lake Paione Superiore,Northern Italy) using Fluorescently Labeled Cells

Grazing impact of Daphnia longispina on phytoplankton and bacteria in Lake Paione Superiore (Northern Italy) was evaluated using fluorescently labeled cells in short-term in situ experiments. Structure and size distribution of Daphnia were studied weekly from its appearance in July to its decline in September. Relative importance of algae and bacteria in the diet varied over time, as did consequently the relative impact of Daphnia on the phytoplankton and bacteria populations. Biomass of bacteria in the diet of Daphnia varied from 1 to 42%, and was highest at the beginning of population development when young individuals dominated. The percent biomass of algae in the diet increased with population development, ranging from 58 to 99%. Daphnia population consumed per hour 0.04–1.8% of bacteria and 0.3–17.6% of phytoplankton abundances.