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Chemical Water Quality of Runoff From Grazing Land in Nebraska: II. Contributing Factors
Author(s) -
Schepers J. S.,
Hackes B. L.,
Francis D. D.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1982.00472425001100030006x
Subject(s) - surface runoff , environmental science , water quality , chemical oxygen demand , manure , phosphorus , kjeldahl method , pasture , litter , hydrology (agriculture) , surface water , livestock , grazing , total organic carbon , agronomy , nitrogen , environmental chemistry , chemistry , environmental engineering , ecology , biology , geology , wastewater , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
The chemical quality of runoff water from a 32.5‐ha portion of a 40‐ha cow‐calf pasture area at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center, Nebr., was determined over a 3‐year period. Precipitation and hydrologic characteristics, stocking rates, and sediment contents in the runoff were used to predict the average concentrations of eight chemical constituents in the water. Predicted concentrations of NH 4 ‐N, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, and chemical oxygen demand were directly related to the density of grazing livestock. A combination of one or more hydrologic or rainfall factors significantly improved the prediction. Leachates from the standing plant material, surface litter layer, surface soil, and manure deposits indicated manure and standing plant material were likely sources of most chemical constituents in runoff water. Chloride appeared to be a possible indicator of wildlife or livestock activity.