Examination of nutrient and sediment loss mitigation for farm roadway runoff on an Irish dairy farm
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In Ireland, farm roadway runoff is a potential farm-scale pollution contributor of nutrients and sediments to connecting open drainage channels that pose a challenge to meeting European Union Water Framework Directive goals. To date, recommended mitigation measures such as swales, sediment ponds, bunded drains, willow beds, among others, have not been widely tested for efficiency and therefore are limiting farmers’ willingness to implement them. This study quantifies the efficiency of bespoke farm roadway runoff mitigation measures by identifying runoff connectivity to open drainage channels, co-developing and co-implementing with farmers sediment ponds (in a treatment train with diversion bars and riparian buffers) at three locations and monitoring these for efficiency in nutrient and sediment removal. The study results suggest sediment ponds are efficient for removing sediment, total suspended solids and particulate nutrients, but vary in their effectiveness in removing dissolved nutrients due to biogeochemical and hydrological processes. The study concludes that sediment ponds are efficient for reducing roadway runoff pollution to open drainage channels but need to be designed to incorporate segmentation, consider all site conditions and encourage vegetation growth for enhanced nutrient and sediment removal, which may facilitate uptake among farmers. Long-term monitoring would be required to inform maintenance procedures and scheduling.
Source: Agricultural Water Management
Authors: D.G. Opoku, M.G. Healy, O. Fenton, P. Tuohy
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Chemistry
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,070
Funder: Teagasc
OpenAlex ID: W4416745033