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An Appraisal of Potential for Sowing of Nasturtium officinale into Streams to Mitigate Nutrient Pollution in Eastern Scotland

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Listed:
  • Andy Vinten

    (James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, Scotland, UK)

  • Patrick Bowden-Smith

    (Pittarthie Farm, Anstruther, Fife KY10 2RZ, Scotland, UK)

Abstract

This study examines a farmer-led initiative to sow watercress ( Nasturtium officinale ) in field ditches. The objective was to assess the potential of this practice to mitigate summer nutrient loads in rivers. Two ditches—one seeded, the other unseeded—on a mixed-livestock farm in Eastern Scotland were monitored during the spring-summer of 2014–2016. The un-replicated trial design limited statistical analysis. However, changes in N and P concentrations along the two ditches were measured. In the watercress-seeded ditch, N retention of 0.092 g/m 2 /d ( p < 0.001, SE = 0.020) and P retention of 0.0092 g/m 2 /d ( p = 0.001, SE = 0.0028) occurred, while total organic C in the water increased along the ditch. Retention was close to zero for the unseeded ditch. The seeded ditch was also found to have more dry matter production and lower stream temperature. The impact of plastic covering (to increase spring temperature) on vegetation and nutrient removal was also assessed on replicate 5-m sections of the ditches. No significant impact on N and P removal was found; however, the release of C increased significantly in the plastic-covered sections. The rise in air temperature (up to > 30 °C) promoted a greater growth of opportunist species (nettle ( Urtica ), rush ( Juncus ), and grasses. These observations were used to make a simple assessment of the potential catchment scale impact of seeding watercress into first and second order streams in the nearby Lunan Water catchment. It was concluded that this could make a significant contribution to the reduction of nutrient loads.

Suggested Citation

  • Andy Vinten & Patrick Bowden-Smith, 2020. "An Appraisal of Potential for Sowing of Nasturtium officinale into Streams to Mitigate Nutrient Pollution in Eastern Scotland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:895-:d:314963
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sisira S. Withanachchi & Ilia Kunchulia & Giorgi Ghambashidze & Rami Al Sidawi & Teo Urushadze & Angelika Ploeger, 2018. "Farmers’ Perception of Water Quality and Risks in the Mashavera River Basin, Georgia: Analyzing the Vulnerability of the Social-Ecological System through Community Perceptions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-26, August.
    2. Sidemo-Holm, William & Smith, Henrik G. & Brady, Mark V., 2018. "Improving agricultural pollution abatement through result-based payment schemes," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 209-219.
    3. Murat Okumah & Ata Senior Yeboah, 2020. "Exploring stakeholders’ perceptions of the quality and governance of water resources in the Wenchi municipality," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 63(8), pages 1375-1403, July.
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