Accounting for the Risks of Phosphorus Losses through Tile Drains in a Phosphorus Index

Tile drainage systems have been identified as a significant conduit for phosphorus (P) losses to surface water, but P indices do not currently account for this transport pathway in a meaningful way. Several P indices mention tile drains, but most account for either the reduction in surface runoff or...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental quality 2012-11, Vol.41 (6), p.1720-1729
Main Authors: Reid, D. Keith, Ball, Bonnie, Zhang, T. Q.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Conservation of Natural Resources
Drainage
Drainage systems
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Groundwater
Models, Theoretical
Phosphorus
Phosphorus - chemistry
Precipitation
Risk assessment
Risk Factors
Surface water
Tile drainage
Tile drains
Water Movements
Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
Water quality
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Summary:Tile drainage systems have been identified as a significant conduit for phosphorus (P) losses to surface water, but P indices do not currently account for this transport pathway in a meaningful way. Several P indices mention tile drains, but most account for either the reduction in surface runoff or the enhanced transport through tiles rather than both simultaneously. A summary of the current state of how tile drains are accounted for within P indices is provided, and the challenges in predicting the risk of P losses through tile drains that are relative to actual losses are discussed. A framework for a component P Index is described, along with a proposal to incorporate predictions of losses through tile drains as a component within this framework. Options for calibrating and testing this component are discussed.
ISSN:0047-2425
1537-2537
DOI:10.2134/jeq2012.0238