Evaluation of nitrate levels in groundwater under agricultural fields in two pilot areas in central Chile: A hydrogeological and geochemical approach |
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| Authors: | Emilio Fernández Alejandro Grilli Daniela Alvarez Ramón Aravena |
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| Institution: | 1. GP Consultores Ltda, Santiago, Chile;2. ASPROCER, Santiago, Chile;3. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada |
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| Abstract: | The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the application of industrial fertilizers and liquid swine manure in groundwater in two pilot agricultural areas, San Pedro and Pichidegua, which have been under long‐term historic use of fertilizers. A comprehensive hydrogeological investigation was carried out to define the geology and the groundwater flow system. Chemical and isotopic tools were used to evaluate the distribution and behavior of the nitrate in the groundwater. The isotopic tools included δ18O, δ2H, and 3H, which provide information about the origin and residence time of the groundwater; δ15N‐NO3? and δ18O‐NO3?, which provide information about nitrate sources and processes that can affect nitrate along the groundwater flow system. The application rate of liquid manure and other fertilizers all together with land uses was also evaluated. The hydrogeological investigation identified the presence of a confined aquifer underneath a thick low‐permeability aquitard, whose extension covers most of the two study areas. The nitrate concentration data, excepting a few points in zones located near recharge areas in the upper part of the basins and lower areas at the valley outlets (San Pedro), showed nitrate concentration below 10 mgN/L at the regional scale. The isotope data for nitrate showed no influence of the liquid swine manure in the groundwater at the regional scale, except for the high part of the basins and the outlet of the San Pedro valley, which are areas fertilized by manure. This data showed that the regional aquifer on both pilot study areas is protected by the thick low‐permeability aquitard, which is playing an important role on nitrate attenuation. Evidence of denitrification was also found on both shallow and deep groundwater in the Pichidegua site. This study showed that a comprehensive hydrogeological characterization complemented by chemical and isotope data is key for understanding nitrate distribution and concentration in aquifers from areas with intensive agriculture activities. |
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| Keywords: | agriculture groundwater Isotopes liquid swine manure nitrate |
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