Premium
Sensitivity of nitrate concentration‐discharge patterns to soil nitrate distribution and drainage properties in the vertical dimension
Author(s) -
Chen Xiaoli,
Tague Christina L.,
Melack John M.,
Keller Arturo A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
hydrological processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.222
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1099-1085
pISSN - 0885-6087
DOI - 10.1002/hyp.13742
Subject(s) - nitrate , environmental science , hydraulic conductivity , hydrology (agriculture) , watershed , drainage , soil science , soil water , geology , ecology , geotechnical engineering , machine learning , biology , computer science
We propose a conceptual model that examines the ‘variable source area’ (VSA) and ‘nitrate flushing’ hypothesis in the vertical direction, and use this approach to explain nitrate concentration–discharge relationships in a semi‐arid watershed. We use an eco‐hydrology simulation model (RHESSys) to show that small changes in the vertical distribution of nitrate mass and their interaction with soil hydraulic conductivity can result in abrupt changes in the nitrate concentration–discharge relationship. We show that the estimated concentration–discharge relationship is sensitive to the parameters governing soil vertical nitrate distribution and soil hydraulic conductivity, at both patch scale and watershed scale, where lateral redistribution of water and nitrate is also accounted for. Given heterogeneity in nitrogen inputs, uptake processes, soil drainage and storage processes, substantial variation in parameters that describe rate of changes in vertical distribution of soil nitrate and hydraulic properties is likely both within and between watersheds. Thus, we argue that vertical ‘variable source area’ processes may be as important as lateral VSA in determining concentration discharge relationships.