Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 712-716 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Physics and chemistry of the earth |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 11-16 SPEC. ISS. |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Abstract
In Southern Africa elevated nitrate concentrations are observed in mostly uninhabited semi-arid areas. In the Kalahari of Botswana groundwater locally exhibits concentrations up to 600 mg/l. It is assumed, that nitrate found in the groundwater originates mainly from nitrogen input and transformations in the soils. Our investigations in the Kalahari between Serowe and Orapa show that cattle raising is an important source for enhanced nitrate concentrations in the soils (Arenosols). But also in termite mounds very high nitrate stocks were found, and under natural vegetation (acacia trees and shrubs) nitrate concentrations were mostly unexpectedly high. This nitrate enrichment in the soils poses a serious threat to the groundwater quality. However, calculated soil water age distributions in the unsaturated zone clearly show that today's nitrate pollution of the groundwater below the investigation area could originate from natural sources, but cannot be caused by the current land use for cattle raising.
Keywords
- Arenosol soils, Cattle, Chloride, Kalahari, Nitrate, Semi-arid, Travel time
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Geophysics
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Geochemistry and Petrology
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Physics and chemistry of the earth, Vol. 30, No. 11-16 SPEC. ISS., 2005, p. 712-716.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Investigation of processes leading to nitrate enrichment in soils in the Kalahari Region, Botswana
AU - Schwiede, M.
AU - Duijnisveld, W. H.M.
AU - Böttcher, J.
N1 - Copyright: Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - In Southern Africa elevated nitrate concentrations are observed in mostly uninhabited semi-arid areas. In the Kalahari of Botswana groundwater locally exhibits concentrations up to 600 mg/l. It is assumed, that nitrate found in the groundwater originates mainly from nitrogen input and transformations in the soils. Our investigations in the Kalahari between Serowe and Orapa show that cattle raising is an important source for enhanced nitrate concentrations in the soils (Arenosols). But also in termite mounds very high nitrate stocks were found, and under natural vegetation (acacia trees and shrubs) nitrate concentrations were mostly unexpectedly high. This nitrate enrichment in the soils poses a serious threat to the groundwater quality. However, calculated soil water age distributions in the unsaturated zone clearly show that today's nitrate pollution of the groundwater below the investigation area could originate from natural sources, but cannot be caused by the current land use for cattle raising.
AB - In Southern Africa elevated nitrate concentrations are observed in mostly uninhabited semi-arid areas. In the Kalahari of Botswana groundwater locally exhibits concentrations up to 600 mg/l. It is assumed, that nitrate found in the groundwater originates mainly from nitrogen input and transformations in the soils. Our investigations in the Kalahari between Serowe and Orapa show that cattle raising is an important source for enhanced nitrate concentrations in the soils (Arenosols). But also in termite mounds very high nitrate stocks were found, and under natural vegetation (acacia trees and shrubs) nitrate concentrations were mostly unexpectedly high. This nitrate enrichment in the soils poses a serious threat to the groundwater quality. However, calculated soil water age distributions in the unsaturated zone clearly show that today's nitrate pollution of the groundwater below the investigation area could originate from natural sources, but cannot be caused by the current land use for cattle raising.
KW - Arenosol soils
KW - Cattle
KW - Chloride
KW - Kalahari
KW - Nitrate
KW - Semi-arid
KW - Travel time
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=27644507560&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.pce.2005.08.012
DO - 10.1016/j.pce.2005.08.012
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:27644507560
VL - 30
SP - 712
EP - 716
JO - Physics and chemistry of the earth
JF - Physics and chemistry of the earth
SN - 1474-7065
IS - 11-16 SPEC. ISS.
ER -