Experimental study and numerical modeling of the nitrate transfer in a sandy soil

M. Ibnoussina; A. Maslouhi; L. Candela

doi:10.21701/bolgeomin.118.1.006

Authors

M. Ibnoussina Office Régional de Mise en Valeur Agricole du Gharb
A. Maslouhi Laboratoire de Mécanique des Fluides et des transferts Thermiques, Université Ibntofail
L. Candela Dep. de Ingeniería del Terreno. Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.118.1.006

Keywords:

LEACHM code, modeling, nitrate, water content

Abstract

Groundwater pollution of the Mnasra area by nitrate is of great concern by the administration since the last years. An experimental study based on column experiments with the objective of assessing the impact of clay and organic matter on nitrate leaching has been carried out. Infiltration tests based on the application of three nitrogen treatments (0, 100 and 200 kg N/ha) were carried out on 6 columns of sandy soils. To monitor water content a TDR probe was vertically installed in the e probes. Irrigation was applied by a rain simulator and LEACHM code was used to study water and nitrogen transfer through the studied columns. The model performace was considered satisfactory although it overestimates losses of nitrogen in soil 1 and underestimates leaching in soil 2.

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