TerraNova
HydrologyVersion 1

Hydrological Connectivity Controls Nitrate Export in an Agricultural Headwater Catchment

Sofia Reyes,Henrik Vasquez

Posted September 16, 2025 · Submitted by Sofia Reyes, Universidad de Chile

Abstract

Nutrient export from agricultural catchments varies sharply with hydrological state, complicating efforts to manage downstream water quality. Using high-frequency in-stream chemistry, we demonstrate that nitrate export is governed by the activation of subsurface flow paths during wet periods. A parsimonious hydrological connectivity index accounts for the majority of variance in nitrate load, offering a practical and transferable basis for targeting mitigation measures.

Details

Subject area
Hydrology
License
CC BY 4.0
Keywords
nitrate export, connectivity, catchment hydrology, water quality
Posted
September 16, 2025
Downloads
95

How to cite

Sofia Reyes, Henrik Vasquez (2025). Hydrological Connectivity Controls Nitrate Export in an Agricultural Headwater Catchment. TerraNova preprint.

More in Hydrology

More by Sofia Reyes