Impactos del nitrógeno agrícola en los ecosistemas acuáticos

Abstract

Groundwater and surface water bodies have been affected to various stress types since the second half of the twentieth century due to the development of intensive agricultural irrigation activities not only in Spain but also in Europe and globally. Leaching of nitrogen from fertilizers applied to agricultural fields affects the qualitative state of groundwater resources, due to the high nitrate concentrations measured in this water bodies, above the maximum allowable limit. Groundwater acts as a long-term sink for nitrate due to the high transit times and low remediation capacity to mitigate pollution. Nitrogen exportation through the discharge to surface water bodies is the main mechanism of nitrate pollution of rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. High nitrate concentrations cause environmental issues such as the progressive water eutrophication and human health risks ("blue baby" disease). To achieve good ecological status of water bodies is necessary the comprehensive study of the conceptual model, taking into account the hydric behavior and the source, fate and its transformation processes of the nitrogen cycle.