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The Identification of Sites and Farming Systems Prone to Pollution by Surface Runoff.
Ryan, T. Declan
Ryan, T. Declan
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2000-09-01
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eopr-4490.pdf
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Ryan, T.D., The Identification of Sites and Farming Systems Prone to Pollution by Surface Runoff, End of Project Reports, Teagasc, 2000.
Abstract
There is mounting evidence that overland flow from land contributes to pollution
of surface water. No convenient method exists to identify fields that generate
overland flow. Therefore the WT model has been developed to predict overland
flow from any small parcel of land.
Water table tubes and flow meters were installed in three sites in Wexford and
Carlow. The water table data, along with rainfall and evaporation data, were
entered into the WT model to calculate overland flow and other parameters over a
7-month period. Additional measurements of water table level were taken using
maximum level indicators with a view to reducing field costs.
All three sites had layers of sand in the sub-soil. It is likely that the sand allowed
water to flow under the soil and contributed to overland flow. Values from the
WT model matched the field measurements of water table closely and predicted
overland flow with reasonable accuracy. One pipe in each field was identified
which could indicate when the field was sufficiently dry for spreading slurry. The
maximum level indicators recorded water table accurately. However, the lack of
synchronisation of this data, with weather data, reduced slightly the precision of
the model.
The WT model can identify fields prone to overland flow and show when a field is
sufficiently dry to accept slurry. Proposed economies promise to reduce the cost
of investigation.