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The impact of ditch damming on nutrient and pesticide dynamics
Project
Contract period: 01.04.2025
- 30.04.2027
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: surface water, pesticides, agricultural reservoirs, nutrients, landscape water balance, soil water, mass transport, water retention (new), environmental contaminants, rewetting
The agricultural landscape of northeastern Germany is characterized by a dense network of drainage systems consisting of ditches and subsurface drainage pipes, which were established in the mid-20th century to remove excess water from fields and make them suitable for crop cultivation. Due to ongoing climate change, the regional landscape water balance is also changing significantly, and increased precipitation during the winter months as well as greater drought during the summer months are having a negative impact on agricultural yields. One way to counteract this is through the targeted management of runoff via ditch damming. The project investigates the effects this has on the transport of nutrients and pesticides from the cropland into the drainage ditches and their subsequent processing in water bodies. The aim of this pilot study is to gain first insight into the mobilization of potentially harmfull contaminants in consequence of rewetting of agricultural soils and estimating eventual risks for plant production on these soils.
Section overview
Subjects
- Agricultural hydrology
- Landscape Planning
- Resource management
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Products Protection (JKI-ÖPV)
