Open AccessAssessment of complex subsurface redox structures for sustainable development of agriculture and the environment
Author(s) -
Birgitte Hansen,
Denitza D. Voutchkova,
Peter B. E. Sandersen,
Anders Juhl Kallesøe,
Lærke Thorling,
Ingelise Møller,
Rasmus Bødker Madsen,
Rasmus Jakobsen,
Jens Aamand,
Pradip Kumar Maurya,
Hyojin Kim
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
environmental research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.37
H-Index - 124
ISSN - 1748-9326
DOI - 10.1088/1748-9326/abda6d
Subject(s) - sustainable development , groundwater , earth science , agriculture , environmental science , borehole , arable land , geology , environmental resource management , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental planning , geography , ecology , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , biology
Cost-efficient targeted nitrogen (N) regulation of agriculture with low impact on the environment is the new N regulation paradigm. It requires detailed knowledge on the geological and geochemical conditions of the subsurface that is crucial for assessing the nitrate flowpaths and reduction processes. An integral part of this is analysis of the subsurface redox structures to determine the locations of nitrate reduction. This knowledge has so far not been easy to access because of lacking technology. Here we present a new concept consisting of integration and interpretation of data from the geophysical towed transient electromagnetic method, borehole information on lithology, sediment colour descriptions, geochemistry and groundwater chemistry. The concept is demonstrated in three small first-order hydrological catchments. National GIS screening analyses show that the new concept is highly needed in large parts of Denmark where the redox structures are complicated e.g. in marine landscape types and in glacial moraine landscapes but less needed in areas dominated by homogeneous meltwater plains. Providing subsurface knowledge for locally targeted N regulation of agriculture is paramount in many developed countries with intensive agriculture to lower the environmental impact, and it could also be critical in developing countries to support sustainable economic and environmental development.