The objective of this research was to investigate pollutant dynamics from a 26.2 ha rice field watershed during non-growing and growing seasons. Water samples were collected, and runoff water was measured at 1~6 hours intervals during six storm even...
The objective of this research was to investigate pollutant dynamics from a 26.2 ha rice field watershed during non-growing and growing seasons. Water samples were collected, and runoff water was measured at 1~6 hours intervals during six storm events of the year 2011~2012 .
The water samples were analyzed for total nitrogen (TN), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), total phosphorous (TP), phosphate-phosphorous (PO4-P), suspended solid (SS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
Mean flow-weighted concentrations of pollutants were 10.2 mg/L for TN, 6.9 mg/L for NO3-N, 0.50 mg/L for TP, 0.35 mg/L for PO4-P, 64.4 mg/L for SS and 29.4 mg/L for COD in the non-growing season and 1.7 mg/L for TN, 1.2 mg/L for NO3-N, 0.16 mg/L for TP, 0.07 mg/L for PO4-P, 59.0 mg/L for SS and 11.5 mg/L for COD in the mid-growing season.
The mean flow-weighted concentrations of pollutants except for SS in the non-growing season were higher than those in the mid-growing season. The mean flow-weighted concentration of SS in the non-growing season was almost the same as that in the mid-growing season. This may be because rice plant residues on the topsoil in the non-growing season act as surface mulch, and therefore prevent soil erosion.
The average ratio of NO3-N to TN in the non-growing season was 68.0%, similar to 70.0% in the mid-growing season. However, the average ratios of PO4-P to TP in the non-growing season was 70.0%, much higher than 44.0% in the mid-growing season. The high average ratios of PO4-P to TP in the non-growing season may be due to mineralization and desorption of P caused by low soil water content.