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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #125362
Title: PHOSPHORUS TRANSPORT DURING FURROW IRRIGATION

Author
item Bjorneberg, David - Dave
item Westermann, Dale
item Aase, J

Submitted to: American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/29/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: We conducted a study to measure changes in sediment and phosphorus concentrations with time, distance and inflow rate during furrow irrigation. Sediment size fractions and phosphorus loads associated with the size fractions were also measured. This paper presents an initial summary of data trends and averages. Preliminary analysis indicate that the mass of sediment and total phosphorus transported with irrigation water decreased with distance down the furrow. The mass of phosphorus dissolved with water tended to not change with distance, but dissolved phosphorus concentration increased with distance. More large (greater than 0.5 mm) and fewer small (less than 0.05 mm) aggregates, both on a mass and percentage basis, were measured in furrow flow later during the irrigation compared to the first 5 min of flow. The highest inflow rate (34 Lpm) transported a greater mass of each sediment size fraction, but a lower percentage of small aggregates than the lowest inflow rate (22 Lpm). Sediment size did not seem to vary with distance down the furrow. Phosphorus concentration associated with sediment aggregates did not seem to vary with flow rate or distance down the furrow. More detailed analysis of this data is needed to identify significant trends and changes in sediment sizes and phosphorus concentrations in irrigation furrows.

Technical Abstract: We conducted a study to measure changes in sediment and phosphorus (P) concentrations with time, distance and inflow rate during furrow irrigation. Sediment size fractions and P loads associated with the size fractions were also measured. This paper presents an initial summary of data trends and averages. Preliminary analysis indicate that the mass of sediment and total P transported in irrigation furrows decreased with distance down the furrow. Dissolved P mass transported tended to not change with distance, but dissolved P concentration increased with distance. More large (greater than 0.5 mm) and fewer small (lesser than 0.05 mm) aggregates, both on a mass and percentage basis, were measured in furrow flow later during the irrigation compared to the first 5 min of flow. The 34 Lpm inflow rate transported a greater mass of each sediment size fraction, but a lower percentage of small aggregates than the 22 Lpm inflow rate. Sediment size did not seem to vary with distance down the furrow. P concentration associated with sediment aggregates did not seem to vary with flow rate or distance down the furrow. More detailed analysis of this data is needed to identify significant trends and changes in sediment sizes and phosphorus concentrations in irrigation furrows.