Main authors: Chris Christophoridis, Konstantinos Fytianos 
FAIRWAYiS Editor: Jane Brandt
Source documents: »Oenema, O. et al. 2018. Review of measures to decrease nitrate pollution of drinking water sources. FAIRWAY Project Deliverable 4.1, 125 pp
»Commelin, M. et al. 2018. Review of measures to decrease pesticide pollution of drinking water sources. FAIRWAY Project Deliverable 4.2, 79 pp
»Velthof, G. et al. 2020. Identification of most promising measures and practices. FAIRWAY Project Deliverable 4.3, 72 pp

 

One of FAIRWAY's major research themes is the identification and assessment of most promising measures and practices to decrease nitrate and pesticide pollution of drinking water supplies by agriculture (see »Farming practices: review and assessment).

Data and information collected from the North Greece case study was used in the research tasks as described here. Nitrate, rather than pesticide, pollution is the main issue in this area.


Contents table
1. Measures to decrease nitrate pollution
2. Effectiveness of nitrate and pesticide measures

1. Measures to decrease nitrate pollution

In »Review of measures to decrease nitrate pollution of drinking water sources we describe how FAIRWAY built on insights and results gathered in EU-wide and global projects and studies. We provide an overview and assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of measures aimed at decreasing nitrate pollution of drinking water sources. As part of the review, the North case study provided information about the measures that have been implemented in the local area.

Name of measure Management of meadows and grassland
Target Quality surface and groundwate
Description Management of meadows and grassland
Mode of action Departure of grazing animals as soon as possible, avoid fertilization of meadows with manure or wet manure, grassland seeding early in the autumn, meadows and grasslands should always be crop covered during winter
Expected effectiveness Unknown
Expected cost Unknown
Underpinning Unknown
Applicability Unknown
Adoptability Unknown
Other benefits Unknown
Disadvantages Unknown
References Journal of Government No. 85167/800 (2000) Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the protection of nitrate induced water pollution from agricultural sources
Additional comments  
Name of measure Cover crop during autumn-winter
Target Quality surface and groundwater
Description Cover crop during autumn-winter
Mode of action Soil cultivation with fall-winter crops wherever possible, early sowing (15-30 September), cover crops should be existed even with non-cultivated plants
Expected effectiveness Unknown
Expected cost Unknown
Underpinning Unknown
Applicability Unknown
Adoptability Unknown 
Other benefits Unknown
Disadvantages Unknown
References Journal of Government No. 85167/800 (2000) Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the protection of nitrate induced water pollution from agricultural sources
Additional comments  
Name of measure Isolation of well waters from unconfined aquifers
Target Quality surface and groundwater 
Description Areas with high geologically nitrate content could lead to high nitrate content of their waters through leaching process.
Mode of action High nitrate concentrations of the drinking water could be decreased by isolating the well waters from existing unconfined aquifers.
Expected effectiveness Unknown
Expected cost Unknown
Underpinning Unknown
Applicability Unknown
Adoptability Unknown
Other benefits Unknown
Disadvantages Unknown
References M. Mitrakas et al., (1989). Nitrate content of surface and ground wters of Northern Greece
Additional comments  
Name of measure Storage of fertilizers
Target Quality surface and groundwater
Description Storage and transport of inorganic fertilizers
Mode of action Fertilizers should be stored in strong bags at least 50 meters away from surface waters, preventative measures should be taken to avoid accidents and risk of spreading during transport
Expected effectiveness Unknown
Expected cost Unknown
Underpinning Unknown
Applicability Unknown
Adoptability Unknown
Other benefits Unknown
Disadvantages Unknown
References Journal of Government No. 85167/800 (2000) Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the protection of nitrate induced water pollution from agricultural sources
Additional comments  
Name of measure Application control
Target Quality surface and groundwater
Description Fertilizer application time and quantity
Mode of action Estimation of the right fertilizer quantity to a given crop, fertilizer should be applied at the high growth rate of plant (spring-summer), fertilization should be avoided from October 15 to February 1, fertilization avoidance on frozen or snow-covered soils, application of legume cover crops on sloping land, fertilization over small distances using spreader machine, avoidance of fertilization during strong winds, use of fertilizers in precise quantities and avoid of spreading in uncultivated land.
Expected effectiveness Unknown
Expected cost Unknown
Underpinning Unknown
Applicability Unknown
Adoptability Unknown
Other benefits Unknown
Disadvantages Unknown
References Journal of Government No. 85167/800 (2000) Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the protection of nitrate induced water pollution from agricultural sources
Additional comments  
Name of measure Split fertilization
Target Quality groundwater resources
Description Nitrogen management for wheat cultivation
Mode of action Split fertilization to a number of doses for each field and rational management of irrigation water for each field
Expected effectiveness Moderate: 10-25% decrease in concentration/load
Expected cost Low: < 10 euro per ha
Underpinning Partly (1-5 reports)
Applicability Partly (on 25-75% of the agricultural land)
Adoptability Partly (on 25-75% of the addressees)
Other benefits Nitrogen fertilisation efficiency is increased
Disadvantages Unknown
References
  • Karyotis et al, 2002. The Greek Action Plan for the mitigation of nitrates in water resources of the vulnerable district of Thessaly
  • Karyotis T., Kosmas C., 2010. Nitrogen leaching, mineralization and uptake in cultivated soils of central Greece
Additional comments Discouragement of crop production is also suggested in the regions where pollution risk is extremely high.
Name of measure Manure and N-fertilizer application management
Target Quality groundwater resources
Description Nitrogen fertilizers application
Mode of action Manure total nitrogen should not exceed the amount of 170 Kg N/Ha in vegetation covered soil and 150 Kg N/Ha in uncovered soil, N fertilization and application of farm animal wastes during rainy season is forbidden with the exception of basic autumn and winter crop N fertilization, apply of N fertilizer on water-saturated soils is forbidden, fertilization outside of cultivated area is forbidden.
Expected effectiveness Moderate: 10-25% decrease in concentration/load
Expected cost Unknown
Underpinning No (≤ 1 report)
Applicability Partly (on 25-75% of the agricultural land)
Adoptability Partly (on 25-75% of the addressees)
Other benefits Unknown
Disadvantages Unknown
References
  • Joint Ministerial Decision19652/1906/199
  • Joint Ministerial Decision 20419/2522/2001
Additional comments  
Name of measure Cultivation techniques and constructions around fields
Target Quality surface and groundwater
Description Cultivation techniques
Mode of action Construction of stable uncultivated strips at least 1 m near water bodies and trenches, plant cover in sloping parcels to protect erosion sensitive terrain during rainy season and soil
Expected effectiveness Moderate: 10-25% decrease in concentration/load
Expected cost Low: < 10 euro per ha
Underpinning No (≤ 1 report)
Applicability Unknown
Adoptability No (on <25% of the addressees)
Other benefits Yes, contributes to landscape diversity
Disadvantages Unknown
References
  • Joint Ministerial Decision19652/1906/199
  • Joint Ministerial Decision 20419/2522/2001
Additional comments  

2. Effectiveness of nitrate and pesticide measures

The information about 34 different nitrate mitigation measures, implemented locally in 10 different FAIRWAY case studies, was collected and analysed. The measures were aggregated by type and the average/overall scores for effectivity, cost, applicability, and adoptability were assessed from the individual records and comments. See »Management practices that reduce nitrate transport - Results and discussion - Case studies.

Similarly, information about 17 different pesticide mitigation measures, implemented locally in 7 different FAIRWAY case studies, was collected and analysed. The measures were evaluated for their cost and effectiveness for reducing pollution of groundwater and surface water. See »Management practices that reduce pesticide transport - Results - Case studies

 


Note: For full references to papers quoted in this article see

» References

 

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