Improving simulation of subsurface dissolved phosphorus in the SWAT model
Abstract
Dissolved phosphorus (DP) concentrations have increased markedly since the 1990s in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) and are considered one of the primary drivers of Lake Erie's water quality impairment. Understanding the dynamics of DP transport is critical to planning mitigation measures. Transport of DP in surface runoff is widely studied and mostly well-represented in commonly applied models, such as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), yet DP transport to subsurface (tile) drainage needs greater attention. This study aims to address a significant knowledge gap that impacts the usefulness of SWAT in representing the processes governing subsurface phosphorus (P) losses in agricultural tile-drained landscapes. We are improving subsurface hydrology and soil chemistry to better represent P processes within the soil matrix, with a focus on quantifying the losses through tile drains from the soil matrix and preferential pathways. To train and test our source code modifications, we are using the SWAT model for the Maumee River Watershed (Kalcic et al., 2016) and edge-of-field monitoring data. The modified version of SWAT 2012 will facilitate better evaluation and recommendation of management measures to control declining water quality in watersheds.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2022
- Bibcode:
- 2022AGUFM.H25I1221M