We use cookies on our website. Some are necessary for the operation of the website. You can also allow cookies for statistical purposes. You can adjust the data protection settings or agree to all cookies directly.
Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Demonstration project: Indicators for the early detection of nitrate loads in crop cultivation. Coordination
Project
Project code: 2815MD001, JKI-PB-08-1241
Contract period: 01.07.2016
- 31.12.2019
Budget: 3,343,880 Euro
Purpose of research: Demonstration
It shall be demonstrated by this demonstration project whether and to which extent the nitrate loads to ground waters can be reduced in relation to previous cropping years in 5 representative German model areas after implementing the rules of the amended fertilization decree. Due to the long percolation time of the seepage water into the soil, early indicators that have been proved and tested for drinking water protection will be used in order to show changes in nitrate loads to ground water much earlier before reactions can be detected in the national nitrate monitoring groundwater pollution net. Well known and established early indicators will be further developed to a feasible early indicator system with the intention to implement it in the monitoring procedures of the federal states and to use them for the obligatory nitrate reporting. By this, the aim of the nitrate report to evaluate the impact of the German action program on water quality, can be achieved more comprehensively.
Due to long-term flow rates of percolating water, the detection of changes in the concentration of nitrate within the ground water bodies can last up to decades. Therefore, this demonstration project was established national-wide in model areas that have nitrate polluted groundwater bodies in Bavaria, Saxonia Anhalt, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg Western Pommerania and Schleswig Holstein in 48 model farms. Early indicators to quantify the nitrate loads will be tested and further developed to a national-wide adaptable monitring system.
Section overview
Subjects
- Agricultural hydrology
