Modellizzazione del bilancio idrico ed azotato della pianura Reggiana per la valutazioine della capacità di attenuazione dei suoli all'inquinamento delle acque sotterranee da nitrati di origine agricola

Soil water and nitrogen balance in soils subjected to characteristic agronomic practices have been analyzed in order to assess the vulnerability of Reggio Emilia plain. The MACRO and SOILN coupled models, calibrated and validated for similar agro-environmental conditions, have been used. Simulations were performed with several scenarios, representative of the typical agroclimatic zones and of different agronomic practises. Spatial and temporal distribution of the results concerning soil water and nitrate leaching were analyzed in order to identify critical elements in soil and climate characteristics and agronomical practices. For each soil, intrinsic vulnerability was evaluated on the basis of water percolation and a risk was attributed to each agronomic practice on the basis of nitrate leaching. This results represent a good tool to improve Action Programs. A future link with groundwater hydro-geological analysis will contribute to better evaluate the supportability of agronomic practises in terms groundwater nitrate pollution