University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Numerical modeling of agricultural tile drainage water quality with health considerations

Wright, Kevin Nathaniel

Content Files
WRIGHT-DISSERTATION-2019.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/106462

Description

Title
Numerical modeling of agricultural tile drainage water quality with health considerations
Author(s)
Wright, Kevin Nathaniel
Issue Date
2019-11-26
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Davidson, Paul C
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Davidson, Paul C
Committee Member(s)
  • Kalita, Prasanta
  • Cooke, Richard
  • Druhan, Jennifer
  • Fischer-Brown, Amy
Department of Study
Engineering Administration
Discipline
Agricultural & Biological Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2020-03-02T22:38:47Z
Keyword(s)
Nitrogen, Nitrate, Tile, Drainage, Modeling
Abstract
Nitrogen fertilizers are an anthropogenic source of potential human and environmental health concerns. Variable rate fertilizer application technologies utilized by production agriculture increase the complexity of interactions with the natural environment, notably water quality originating from farm fields. In this study, the diversity in spatial and temporal variables was simulated using numerical methods and the reactive transport model TOUGHREACT to analyze these processes and thus better predict areas or scenarios of potential concern. Modeling results were calibrated and verified with 4 production agricultural field sites to better quantify and qualify nitrogen fate and transport and their potential impact on human health and the environment. In addition, health impacts were reviewed with respect to variable agricultural inputs. The numerical modeling methods provided insight into mixing and loading, but showcased that by the time concentration profiles reached the tile and sampling point, most loading information had been obscured. TOUGHREACT proved to be a valid and useful tool to simulate many of the factors affecting fate and transport, but additional calibration with real world data is needed. Agricultural applicators around the world are subject to many stresses and hazards regardless of the method of application, but acute exposure incidents are highly rare. Literature was reviewed to determine the common stressors and agents of injury for agricultural applicators. Additionally, the ensuing fate of nitrate in the environment and drinking water system was evaluated via a case study and spatial correlations. Results indicated populations influenced by agricultural nitrogen inputs into their water supply did not show a direct correlation to increased cancer risks.
Graduation Semester
2019-12
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/106462
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2019 Kevin Wright

Owning Collections

Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Agricultural and Biological Engineering