Examination of nitrate concentration, loading and isotope dynamics in subsurface drainage under standard agricultural cropping in Atlantic Canada.

Intensive agricultural farming practices have the potential to cause high levels of nitrate-nitrogen (NO(3)(-)-N) to be released from tile drainage systems. A better understanding of the temporal dynamics of NO(3)(-)-N loading, δ(15)N and δ(18)O from standard drainage systems is needed, in order to improve our understanding of NO(3)(-)-N transport and transformation processes; particularly, with regards to the imperfectly drained agricultural soils found within Atlantic Canada. Three conventional subsurface drainage plots (48 × 48 m) placed at a 0.80 m soil depth were monitored over a seven month period on sandy loam soil in Onslow, Nova Scotia. Each plot received similar applications of both organic and inorganic fertilizer. Water samples were obtained and analyzed for NO(3)(-)-N concentrations and isotopic signatures of δ(15)N and δ(18)O for NO(3)(-)-N. Maximum NO(3)(-)-N loads were observed in the winter and fall, when both discharge and concentration of the NO(3)(-)-N were highest. Mean isotope values in NO(3)(-) ranged from 3.1 to 8.5‰ for δ(15)N and -3.2 to 17.7‰ for δ(18)O. Results suggest that NO(3)(-)-N from the drainage water was derived from organic sources (i.e. manure and soil organic matter) and that loss via denitrification does not impart an identifiable signature upon the NO(3)(-)-N pool. The dual isotope approach examined here provides insight into N source and transformation processes which may be contributing to the NO(3)(-)-N found within the drainage water.

Nitrate loading and isotopic signatures in subsurface agricultural drainage systems.

Artificially draining soils using subsurface tiles is a common practice on many agricultural fields. High levels of nitrate-nitrogen (NO-N) are often released from these systems; therefore, knowledge on the sources and processes controlling NO-N in drainage systems is needed. A dual isotope study (δN and δO) was used to investigate three subsurface drainage systems (shallow, conventional, and controlled) in Onslow, Nova Scotia, Canada. The objectives of this study were (i) to identify which drainage system more effectively reduced the NO-N loading, (ii) to examine differences in isotopic signatures under identical nutrient and cropping regimes for a fixed soil type, and (iii) to identify the utility of different drainage systems in controlling nutrient flows. Nitrate concentrations measured ranged from 0.92 to 11.8, from 2.3 to 17.3, and from 2.1 to 19.8 mg L for the shallow, conventional, and controlled drains, respectively. Total NO-N loading from shallow and controlled drains were 20 and 5.6 kg ha, respectively, lower than conventional (39.1 kg ha). The isotopic composition of NO-N for all drainage types appeared to be a mixture of two organic sources (manure and soil organic matter) via the process of nitrification. There was no evidence that denitrification played a significant role in removing NO-N during transport. Overall, shallow drainage reduced NO-N loading but offered no water conservation benefits. Combining the benefits of decreased NO-N loading from shallow systems with water control capability may offer the best solution to reducing nutrient loadings into water systems, achieving optimal crop yield, and decreasing drainage installation costs.