The prediction of nitrate leaching with the first-order acidity balance (FAB) model for upland catchment in Great Britain

Curtis, C.J.; Allott, T.E.H.; Reynolds, B.; Harriman, R.. 1998 The prediction of nitrate leaching with the first-order acidity balance (FAB) model for upland catchment in Great Britain. In: Wieder, R.Kelman; Novak, Martin; Cerny, Jiri, (eds.) Biogeochemical investigations at the watershed, landscape and regional scales. Dordrecht, The Netherlands, Kluwer, 205-215.

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Abstract/Summary

The relative contribution of N deposition to the acidification of freshwaters in Great Britain has increased over the last few years as S deposition has fallen in line with reduced emissions. In certain high deposition areas of Great Britain, NO3 --based acidity can equal or exceed the contribution of SO4 2--based acidity in some upland waters. Here we apply the first-order acidity balance model (FAB) to predict the maximum N leaching from 13 study catchments at future steady state. Using mean water chemistry and catchment soils data, along with long-term default values for N sink processes, we predict NO3-N leaching at much higher rates than currently are being measured in surface waters, with a mean increase of 10.5 kg ha-1 yr-1. As a result, mean acid neutralizing capacity would decline to less than 0 meq L-1 at 4 sites. While there are uncertainties associated with model parameterization relating to the short-term storage of N within catchment soils and vegetation, model outputs do indicate much greater leaching of N at some time in the future as steady-state is achieved.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1023/A:1005064416885
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Other
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	_ Pre-2000 sections
ISBN:	0792351673
Additional Keywords:	acidification, catchment, first-order acidity model, nitrate leaching, predictive model
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	15 Oct 2007 15:00 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/1011

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