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Nitrate Movement Under a Ridge Configuration: a Field Nda Model Investigation James M Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 1987 Nitrate movement under a ridge configuration: a field nda model investigation James M. Hamlett Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the Agriculture Commons, and the Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons Recommended Citation Hamlett, James M., "Nitrate movement under a ridge configuration: a field and model investigation " (1987). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 8647. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/8647 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS The most advanced technology has been used to photo­ graph and reproduce this manuscript from the microfilm master. UMI films the original text directly from the copy submitted. Thus, some dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from a computer printer. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyrighted material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are re­ produced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each oversize page is available as one exposure on a standard 35 mm slide or as a IT x 23 ' black and white photographic print for an additional charge. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. 35 mm slides or 6" X 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. •lUMIAccessing the World's Information since 1938 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA Order Number 8806077 Nitrate movement under a ridge configuration: A field and model investigation Hamlett, James M., Ph.D. Iowa State University, 1987 UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed In the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark 1. Glossy photographs or pages 2. Colored illustrations, paper or print 3. Photographs with dark background / 4. Illustrations are poor copy 5. Pages with black marks, not original copy 6. Print shows through as there is text on both sides of page 7. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages 8. Print exceeds margin requirements 9. Tightly bound copy with print lost in spine 10. Computer printout pages with indistinct print 11. Page(s) lacking when material received, and not available from school or author. 12. Page(s) seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows, 13. Two pages numbered . Text follows. 14. Curling and wrinkled pages 15. Dissertation contains pages with print at a slant, filmed as received 16. Other Nitrate movement under a ridge configuration; A field and model investigation by James M. Hamlett A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Departments: Agricultural Engineering Agronomy Co-majors; Agricultural Engineering Soil Physics Approved: Signature was redacted for privacy. Charge of Major Work Signature was redacted for privacy. Signature was redacted for privacy. partments Signature was redacted for privacy. aduate College Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 1987 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Dissertation Approach 1 Problem Statement and Objectives 3 Problem discussion 3 Obj ectives 12 NUMERICAL MODELING APPROACHES 14 Finite Difference Analysis 15 Finite Element Method (FEM) 17 General 17 FEM in soil science 19 FEM in ground water hydrology 27 Boundary and Analytic Element Methods 31 Summary of Modeling Techniques 33 MODEL SELECTION 35 Overview of Models 35 Bachmat et al., 1980 survey 35 Javandel et al., 1984 survey 37 Van der Heijde et al., 1985 survey 37 Models applicable to dissertation problem . 39 THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD 41 The Finite Element Concept 41 iii Governing Partial Differential Equations 42 Coupled partial differential equations . 43 Water flow 45 Darcian velocities 47 Solute transport 48 Finite Element Formulation 52 General 52 Weighted-residuals method 54 The Galerkin formulation 58 Water Flow Derivation 58 Orthogonality requirement 59 Galerkin weighting functions 59 Approximating functions 60 Element equation development 61 Matrix equation 64 Coordinate transformations 65 Gaussian quadrature 70 Boundary equations 72 Global equations 73 Solute Transport Derivation 75 Time Discretization 83 Explicit method 83 Fully-implicit method 84 Crank-Nicholson implicit scheme 84 General form 85 Stability analysis 85 iv FIELD EXPERIMENT 87 Methods and Materials 87 Site description 87 Experimental technique 90 Instrumentation and sampling 97 Lab analyses 108 Calculations Ill Results and Discussion of Field Experiment .... 120 Tensiometer and TDR data 121 Bulk density data 121 Volumetric water content profiles 123 Nitrate movement 140 Bromide movement 153 Conclusions 161 MODEL SIMULATIONS 153 General Overview of the Model 163 FEMWATER Submodel 166 FEMWASTE Submodel 172 Initial Model Runs 175 Ridge- and Flat-Tillage Simulations 183 Soil properties 184 Water flow 188 Solute transport 200 Summary 213 V SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY 215 REFERENCES 220 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 232 APPENDIX I. EQUATION DEVELOPMENT 235 Water Flow 235 Solute Movement 239 APPENDIX II. TENSIOMETER AND TDR DATA 248 APPENDIX III. FEMWATER-FEMWASTE FLOWCHARTS 255 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION Dissertation Approach This dissertation is primarily concerned with investigating nitrate movement under ridge tillage. My goal is to develop and use a two-dimensional finite element model to analyze water movement and solute transport within the upper soil zone (from the soil surface to depth of tile drainage). A field experiment to assess anion transport and water movement under controlled-rainfall conditions is discussed. Data collected from the field study is compared with model simulations to learn more concerning water and solute transport under ridge- and flat-tillage configurations. I propose that the model may be used to investigate the effects of alternative placements of fertilizer in the ridge and of various surface configurations. The study involves three major parts; description of a finite element model and associated initial and boundary conditions for two-dimensional, unsaturated-saturated water and solute transport, a field study involving data collection and analyses for contrasting the effects of ridge and flat tillage on water and solute transport, and application of the model to different surface configurations. 2 Initially, I present a brief background concerning the problem and objectives for this particular study. A literature review concerning NO3-N movement through the soil profile and the magnitude of the potential NO3-N leaching problem is presented therein. A literature review concerning modeling of water flow and solute transport in unsaturated media is then presented, followed by the development of the particular finite element equations and presentation of the model approach used in this study. The particular model used for simulation is discussed. Discussion of the field experiment, soil property data collection, and data analyses are included in the second portion of the dissertation. The methods and procedures used and the implications of results from the field investigation are discussed. The third portion of the study is a presentation of the results of model simulations for the various systems (configurations and placements of NO3-N) analyzed. This includes a discussion of the verification of the model by comparison of model results with previous studies. Using the model, flat and ridge tillage are analyzed to determine which system minimizes NO3-N leaching from the upper soil zone. Discussion includes model capabilities and analysis of water and NO3-N transport for the simulated cases. 3 A section presenting a summary of results of this study, areas requiring further model development and/or testing, possible further applications worthy of consideration, and understanding gained from this particular study is included. Problem Statement and Objectives Problem discussion Increased concern and attention is being directed toward the fate of agricultural chemicals applied to cropland acreages. The fate of nitrogen fertilizers is of considerable importance because of the immense quantity applied, the potential leaching losses of NO3-N to ground water sources, and the associated farmer and societal costs attached to such losses. Considerable attention is being directed to the assessment of NO3-N losses and potential management practices to minimize the potential for loss, as evidenced by the plethora of articles in popular agribusiness magazines, newspaper articles, and research journals. For several years research has been underway to assess the magnitude of losses of nitrogen and to investigate possible management
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