Nonpoint pollution in Aragón: emission loads and control issues
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Date
2010
Authors
Mema, MithatCalvo Calzada, Elena
Albiac Murillo, José
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ArticleAbstract
This paper evaluates nitrogen pollution loads from irrigation return flows
in the Spanish region of Aragon. Percolation and nitrogen leaching estimates
are found for each municipal area based on crop surface, irrigation systems,
climate, and crop management data. Aggregate nitrogen discharges at watershed
and county level are then calculated and compared with results published
in monographic studies and nitrate concentrations in watercourses.
This paper aims to contribute to future proposals of the Water Framework
Directive for nitrate pollution abatement measures. The relevance of this issue
is increased by the fact that the Ministry of the Environment and various
ecological organizations are under the false impression that diffuse pollution
can be solved by raising water prices. Water pricing is in fact highly inefficient
and severely prejudices the interests of farmers, and is thus the least
desirable of all potential instruments for the control of diffuse pollution
Description
Keywords
Diffuse pollution, Nitrogen leaching, Percolation, Middle Ebro Valley, Water
Bibliographic citation
Mithat Mema, Elena Calvo, José Albiac. "Nonpoint pollution in Aragón: emission loads and control issues". Journal of Studies in Economics and Society, vol. 1, nº 1, (2010), p. 128-141
Other field subjects
Polución difusaPolítica ambiental
Valle del Ebro
Aragón
Nitrógeno
Lixiviación
Economía agroalimentaria