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Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of Nitrate Leaching into Groundwater

Received: 28 August 2022    Accepted: 28 October 2022    Published: 22 November 2022
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Abstract

Nitrate leaching into groundwater is a complicated process that involves a number of different biochemical transformations. These biochemical transformations include immobilisation, mineralization, nitrification, volatilization, crop absorption, and nitrate leaching into groundwater. Groundwater nitrate contamination is a developing challenge that requires precise analytical and numerical solutions. Various approaches to measuring nitrate leaching have been developed from a range of measurement and modelling techniques, but all suffer from one limitation or another due to the complexities, challenges and assumptions made in quantifying nitrate leaching in groundwater. This calls for new approaches in which nitrate leaching can be analysed to gain a better understanding of nitrate fate and transport processes for the proper management of groundwater. The advection-dispersion equations are updated in this research work to simulate nitrogen leaching in soils with variable depth, duration, volumetric water content, and porosity. Graphical representations of numerical simulations of the concentration of nitrate in the soil at varying depths and times can be achieved with the help of MATLAB software. According to the findings of the study, the proportion of soil porosity to soil water volume is directly proportional to the amount of nitrate that leaches into the groundwater. Therefore, it is recommended that measures be taken to reduce the potential for groundwater contamination. These measures include reducing the amount of nitrogen used, avoiding overwatering, and developing a test that helps farmers measure the amount that is already present in the groundwater.

Published in International Journal of Systems Science and Applied Mathematics (Volume 7, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12
Page(s) 74-84
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Mathematical Modelling, Nitrate, Modelling, Leaching, Advection-Dispersion, Groundwater

References
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  • APA Style

    Ochwach Jimrise, Okongo Mark, Ombaka Ochieng. (2022). Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of Nitrate Leaching into Groundwater. International Journal of Systems Science and Applied Mathematics, 7(4), 74-84. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12

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    ACS Style

    Ochwach Jimrise; Okongo Mark; Ombaka Ochieng. Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of Nitrate Leaching into Groundwater. Int. J. Syst. Sci. Appl. Math. 2022, 7(4), 74-84. doi: 10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12

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    AMA Style

    Ochwach Jimrise, Okongo Mark, Ombaka Ochieng. Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of Nitrate Leaching into Groundwater. Int J Syst Sci Appl Math. 2022;7(4):74-84. doi: 10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12,
      author = {Ochwach Jimrise and Okongo Mark and Ombaka Ochieng},
      title = {Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of Nitrate Leaching into Groundwater},
      journal = {International Journal of Systems Science and Applied Mathematics},
      volume = {7},
      number = {4},
      pages = {74-84},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijssam.20220704.12},
      abstract = {Nitrate leaching into groundwater is a complicated process that involves a number of different biochemical transformations. These biochemical transformations include immobilisation, mineralization, nitrification, volatilization, crop absorption, and nitrate leaching into groundwater. Groundwater nitrate contamination is a developing challenge that requires precise analytical and numerical solutions. Various approaches to measuring nitrate leaching have been developed from a range of measurement and modelling techniques, but all suffer from one limitation or another due to the complexities, challenges and assumptions made in quantifying nitrate leaching in groundwater. This calls for new approaches in which nitrate leaching can be analysed to gain a better understanding of nitrate fate and transport processes for the proper management of groundwater. The advection-dispersion equations are updated in this research work to simulate nitrogen leaching in soils with variable depth, duration, volumetric water content, and porosity. Graphical representations of numerical simulations of the concentration of nitrate in the soil at varying depths and times can be achieved with the help of MATLAB software. According to the findings of the study, the proportion of soil porosity to soil water volume is directly proportional to the amount of nitrate that leaches into the groundwater. Therefore, it is recommended that measures be taken to reduce the potential for groundwater contamination. These measures include reducing the amount of nitrogen used, avoiding overwatering, and developing a test that helps farmers measure the amount that is already present in the groundwater.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of Nitrate Leaching into Groundwater
    AU  - Ochwach Jimrise
    AU  - Okongo Mark
    AU  - Ombaka Ochieng
    Y1  - 2022/11/22
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12
    T2  - International Journal of Systems Science and Applied Mathematics
    JF  - International Journal of Systems Science and Applied Mathematics
    JO  - International Journal of Systems Science and Applied Mathematics
    SP  - 74
    EP  - 84
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-5803
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijssam.20220704.12
    AB  - Nitrate leaching into groundwater is a complicated process that involves a number of different biochemical transformations. These biochemical transformations include immobilisation, mineralization, nitrification, volatilization, crop absorption, and nitrate leaching into groundwater. Groundwater nitrate contamination is a developing challenge that requires precise analytical and numerical solutions. Various approaches to measuring nitrate leaching have been developed from a range of measurement and modelling techniques, but all suffer from one limitation or another due to the complexities, challenges and assumptions made in quantifying nitrate leaching in groundwater. This calls for new approaches in which nitrate leaching can be analysed to gain a better understanding of nitrate fate and transport processes for the proper management of groundwater. The advection-dispersion equations are updated in this research work to simulate nitrogen leaching in soils with variable depth, duration, volumetric water content, and porosity. Graphical representations of numerical simulations of the concentration of nitrate in the soil at varying depths and times can be achieved with the help of MATLAB software. According to the findings of the study, the proportion of soil porosity to soil water volume is directly proportional to the amount of nitrate that leaches into the groundwater. Therefore, it is recommended that measures be taken to reduce the potential for groundwater contamination. These measures include reducing the amount of nitrogen used, avoiding overwatering, and developing a test that helps farmers measure the amount that is already present in the groundwater.
    VL  - 7
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Physical Science, Chuka University, Chuka, Kenya

  • Department of Physical Science, Chuka University, Chuka, Kenya

  • Department of Physical Science, Chuka University, Chuka, Kenya

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