Key Facts

The study site in Limburg, the Netherlands is an agriculture catchment with mainly arable land (40 ha), some pastures and orchards. The catchment has an elevation difference of maximum 40 meters, the outlet is at 76m above sea level and the two hills forming the catchment borders are respectively 105 and 118 meters high with slopes ranging from 2 to 20 % with an average of 6% . With the main soil type being loess soil, the catchment is suitable for studying water erosion and run-off. The catchment has been used for several other research campaigns in the past and was one of the measurement locations for the initial development of the LISEM erosion model. In SOILPROM, data will be collected on pesticide transport through runoff in both dissolved and particulate phase. This use-case will improve the current pesticide transport model of OpenLISEM by increasing the number of physical and hydrological processes simulated in rainfall-runoff events, supported by continuous field monitoring.

Agricultural field: grass, arable, orchard (sensitive loess, silt loam)

Pesticides

Soil & surface water

Process

Water erosion and run-off transport of dissolved and particulate phase pesticides.

Actions and expected results

The collected samples at the catchment outlet will be used to analyse the amount of pesticides transported with overland water and to quantify the sediment fluxes. Combined with monitoring on the field and pesticide application data obtained from the land users, this data gives an overview of the pesticide dynamics and pollution pathways in the catchment. Within SOILPROM, additional field observations and data collection will be done during the coming year. The data will be used to validate the OpenLISEM model for pesticide transport.

Challenge

Measuring water erosion and collecting sediments are labour-intensive. Besides, sharing data related to pesticide-application is a sensitive issue. Obtaining such data  requires good collaboration with the landowners and involved stakeholders.  

Partner involved