| Title | Integrated use of GLEAMS and GIS to prevent groundwater pollution caused by agricultural disposal of animal waste |
| Abstract | In modern intensive animal farming the disposal of a large amount or waste is of great concern, as, if not properly performed, it can cause the pollution of water, mainly because of the high content of nitrate and phosphate. This paper presents the results of a study intended to assess the environmental sustainability of animal waste disposal on agricultural soils in the alluvial plain of the River Chiana (Tuscany, Italy), a particularly sensitive area because of the high vulnerability of the shallow aquifer and of the intensive agricultural and breeding activities. With this aim, a strategy has been employed, that consists of the integrated use of a management model and GISs. The consequences on groundwater of applying animal waste to different kind of soils and crop arrangements have been simulated by means of the management model GLEAMS (Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems, ver 2.01). As the huge amount of data required by such a sophisticated model does not allow applications at a scale larger than the field size, IDRISI and GRASS GIS packages have been used to divide the study area into land units, with homogeneous environmental characteristics, and then to generalize on these units the outputs of the model. The main conclusions can be synthesized as follows: The amount of animal waste produced in some of the investigated areas (i.e., municipal territory) is greater than that disposable on their own agricultural soil with no risks to the groundwater; consequently a cooperative approach among municipalities is necessary in order to plan waste disposal in a comprehensive and centralized way. |
| Source | Environmental management (N. Y.) 22 (5), pp. 747–756 |
| Keywords | land useanimal waste disposalgroundwater protectionGISmanagement modelsMODEL |
| Journal | Environmental management (N. Y.) |
| Editor | Springer, New York, Stati Uniti d'America |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1007/s002679900144 |
| Authors | Garnier, M and Lo Porto, A and Marini, R and Leone, A |
| Text | 265437 1998 10.1007/s002679900144 ISI Web of Science WOS 000075196600009 land use animal waste disposal groundwater protection GIS management models MODEL Integrated use of GLEAMS and GIS to prevent groundwater pollution caused by agricultural disposal of animal waste Garnier, M and Lo Porto, A and Marini, R and Leone, A Garnier, M Reprint Author , Natl Res Council, Water Res Inst, Via Blasio 5, I 70123 Bari, Italy. Natl Res Council, Water Res Inst, I 70123 Bari, Italy. Univ Tuscia, Inst Rural Eng, I 01100 Viterbo, Italy. In modern intensive animal farming the disposal of a large amount or waste is of great concern, as, if not properly performed, it can cause the pollution of water, mainly because of the high content of nitrate and phosphate. This paper presents the results of a study intended to assess the environmental sustainability of animal waste disposal on agricultural soils in the alluvial plain of the River Chiana Tuscany, Italy , a particularly sensitive area because of the high vulnerability of the shallow aquifer and of the intensive agricultural and breeding activities. With this aim, a strategy has been employed, that consists of the integrated use of a management model and GISs. The consequences on groundwater of applying animal waste to different kind of soils and crop arrangements have been simulated by means of the management model GLEAMS Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems, ver 2.01 . As the huge amount of data required by such a sophisticated model does not allow applications at a scale larger than the field size, IDRISI and GRASS GIS packages have been used to divide the study area into land units, with homogeneous environmental characteristics, and then to generalize on these units the outputs of the model. The main conclusions can be synthesized as follows The amount of animal waste produced in some of the investigated areas i.e., municipal territory is greater than that disposable on their own agricultural soil with no risks to the groundwater; consequently a cooperative approach among municipalities is necessary in order to plan waste disposal in a comprehensive and centralized way. 22 Articolo in rivista Springer 0364 152X Environmental management N. Y. Environmental management N. Y. Environ. manag. N. Y. Environmental management. N. Y. Environmental management New York. Print N. Y. antonio.loporto LO PORTO ANTONIO TA.P04.005.006 Gestione a scala di bacino delle risorse idriche e sostenibilita dell uso irriguo in agricoltura |
