Browsing by Author "Elliott, J."
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Agrochemicals and water quality: an overview of current studies at NHRI(1995-02-23) Elliott, J.; Cessna, A.; Best, K.; Nicholaichuk, W.Item Effect of tillage on soil properties in a rolling glaciolacustrine landscape(1997-02-20) Efetha, A.; Elliott, J.; Anderson, D.; Hilliard, C.Conventional tillage systems (CT), especially tilled summerfallow, have been linked to soil degradation by increasing erosion, reducing soil organic matter, increasing soil compaction and contributing to water pollution. Innovative farming practices, such as zero-till (ZT) are considered to be able to reverse soil degradation. There are concerns, however, about the environmental impact of increased herbicide and fertilizer use. The fate of herbicides and fertilizers may be understood by studying the structural and hydraulic properties of soils. The knowledge of how soil properties are affected by tillage at a landscape scale is essential in comparing ZT to CT systems in a given environment. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of CT and ZT systems on soil properties at a landscape scale and their effect on potential runoff.Item Influence of hog manure application on surface runoff water quality(2001-02-22) Elliott, J.; Maulé, C.This paper describes some preliminary results from a field-scale study of the effect of field application of hog manure by injection on surface runoff water quality. In the study, manure injection at rates of 7,000 and 10,000 gal ac-1 are compared to an inorganically fertilized control at sites near the Bear Hills Pork Producers barn at Perdue and the new Prairie Swine Centre at Elstow. Surface runoff water quality is assessed during snowmelt and by rainfall simulation. Analysis of the preliminary data from Perdue indicates that concentrations of total and ortho P and NH3 in snowmelt runoff from the basin receiving 10,000 gal ac-1 of hog manure increased relative to background measurements and the control basin. Concentrations of NH3 also appeared to increase in snowmelt runoff from the basin receiving 7,000 gal ac-1 of hog manure. Although the rainfall simulation data were less conclusive, nutrient concentrations in runoff from the plots receiving hog manure appeared to increase relative to the control. There was no indication that hog manure application led to increased coliform counts in runoff water.Item Snowmelt simulations to determine the source of nutrients in snowmelt runoff(2008-02-28) Elliott, J.; Tucker, A.; Gallen, D.Agriculture has been identified as a contributor of nutrients to surface waters. However, most sources of agricultural nutrients are diffuse and have not been clearly identified. A potential source that has been largely overlooked is nutrient release from senesced plant material. The release of nutrients from plant material during snowmelt and the subsequent transport of these nutrients in surface runoff could contribute to the eutrophication of downstream receiving waters. A snowmelt simulation study was designed to assess nutrient release from different plant residues during snowmelt in controlled conditions. Frozen residues were covered with a layer of snow that was typical of over-winter snow-cover and subjected to a number of thaw-freeze cycles. The resulting melt-water was analyzed for dissolved N, P and C content to assess the nutrient release potential of each residue. A range of plant residues, including cereals, pulse crops, oilseeds and native vegetation, were collected for testing. In addition, paired samples of residue and surface soil were collected and nutrient release during simulated snowmelt was measured for the soils and residues alone and in combination. The potential for residues to contribute nutrients to snowmelt was comparable to that for soils and varied with the nutrient content and freshness of the residue. Some interesting interactions between soils and residues were observed in the combined experiment. These results are particularly relevant to the development of beneficial agricultural management practices for the protection of water quality.