Improvement of RZWQM2-P model to mitigate phosphorus loss from cropland to surface water bodies

Agricultural soils in the humid temperate regions (Ontario and Quebec) of Canada are the major source of non-point pollution from Phosphorus in freshwater rivers and lakes. The incidence of cyanobacterial blooms has increased dramatically in the last decade, which has been linked to P and N enrichment by subsurface drain effluent. Agricultural soils, treated with chemical fertilizers, manures, or biosolids, are deemed to be major non-point P sources in the Great Lakes and other areas. Subsurface drainage is a major conduit for P transported from agricultural soils in humid temperature regions of Canada. Various approaches have been developed to regulate agricultural management and mitigation of P pollution. One of them is to develop computer models that can accurately simulate and assess P loss from agricultural lands. Based on most recent science found in the fate and transport of P from soil to water, we developed and released (in 2020) a state-of-the-art phosphorus management model (RZWQM2-P) to simulate dissolved and particulate P losses in runoff and subsurface drainage. This newly developed model has attracted attention of researchers in USA, Island, and China.

Faculty Supervisor:

Zhiming Qi

Student:

Partner:

Ohio State University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Water; Environmental Science and Technology; Agriculture and Food

University:

McGill University

Program: