Groundwater flow and nitrate migration in a Dutch-Belgian chalk catchment; observed and future concentrations

In the catchment of the Noor brook, by the Dutch/Belgian border, excess precipitation with high nitrate concentrations (80–120 mg·l–1) recharges the Cretaceous multi-aquifer system under the plateau and foothill (agricultural area). The nitrates are transported through the aquifer (median > 50 mg·l–1 under the plateau) towards springs and wetlands of the Noorbeemden nature reserve. The major spring has a concentration of 70–80 mg·l–1. The concentration in the Noor brook is somewhat lower (median 46 mg·l–1) because of denitrification in the wetlands. The groundwater flow and transport model... Mehr ...