Nutrient flux in storm water runoff and baseflow from managed turf.
The urban landscape is comprised of many land uses, none more intensively managed than turfgrass; however, quantification of nutrient losses from specific land uses within urban watersheds, specifically golf courses is limited. Nitrate (NO(3)-N) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) were measured on a golf course in Austin, TX, USA from April 1, 1998 to March 31, 2003. NO(3)-N and DRP concentrations measured in storm flow were significantly greater exiting the course compared to those entering the course. Significant differences were also measured in baseflow NO(3)-N concentrations. The measured loading from the course was 4.0kg NO(3)-Nha(-1)yr(-1) (11% of applied) and 0.66kg DRPha(-1)yr(-1) (8% of applied). The resulting concentrations contributed by the course were 1.2mgL(-1) NO(3)-N and 0.2mgL(-1) DRP. At these levels, NO(3)-N poses minimal environmental risk. However, the DRP concentration is twice the recommended level to guard against eutrophication.
King
K W
KW
Soil Drainage Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 590 Woody Hayes Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. king.220@osu.edu
Balogh
J C
JC
Harmel
R D
RD
D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis*; D006055:Golf; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000254:growth & development; D011891:Rain; D013781:Texas; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D005308:Fertilizers; D009566:Nitrates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010758:Phosphorus