Estimating Annual Cadmium Load via Surface Runoff into Songkhla Lake, Thailand

Kitipan Kitbamroong, Ph. D G.Padmanabhan, Ph. D Penjai Sompongchaiyakul, Ph. D

Problem
Increasing agricultural activities in the

catchments of Songhkla Lake have the potential to increase cadmium accumulation in the lake. Cadmium was found in the lake sediments Cadmium is common in phosphate rocks Surface runoff and associated sediment flow are the major mechanisms of transport of non-point source pollutants

Research Objectives
To develop a database for non-point source

cadmium transport modeling of the Lake Basin from the surrounding drainage area. To carry out a scenarios analysis of the cadmium transport to the lake from the surrounding drainage areas to assist environmental decision makers.

Methodology
A spatially distributed cell-based model is

proposed. Data to be assembled from local sources on landuse, soils, fertilizers, and practices. Meaningful scenarios will be constructed For each scenario, the model runs will be analyzed. Results will be presented to the decision makers.

Non-Point Source Models

Available models:

MIKE SHE SWAT BASINS TREX AnnAGNPS Predominant land use: agricultural Data input requirements: local
Integration with GIS: Arcview Metals transport

Criteria

Model and Scenarios Used

Non point source pollution modeling of

cadmium TREX (Two-dimenstional Runoff, Erosion, and eXport model) Scenarios

Three scenarios were tested: Significant increase and decrease of fertilizer usage. Change in types of fertilizer applied. Change in the application rate of fertilizer for certain crops.

TREX
Two-dimensional Runoff, Erosion, and Export

model is a generalized rainfall-runoff watershed model with a framework for modeling sediment and contaminant transport. Based on the CASC2D watershed model with chemical transport and fate processes from the USEPA WASP and IPX series of stream water quality models Three main components: 1) hydrology 2)sediment transport, and 3) chemical transport and fate.

TREX

Research Activities Flow Diagram

SFA

Source
Pre-Processing

Model
GIS

Post-Processing

Mgt Tools

GIS
The acquired information was compiled in a

Geographical Information System (GIS) ArcView. The TREX model was run and the result presented within ArcView.
Pre-processing of data and post processing

of the model results were done in the GIS platform.

Watershed Delineation

Figure 3-7 Steps performed during watershed delineation

8 Watersheds

Model calibration
The model parameters subject to the

calibration were

hydraulic conductivity soil erodibility flow resistance crop management factor chemical distribution coefficients.

Model calibration
Chemical distribution coefficients depending on metal of interest

Model calibration
Parameters of the model are perturbed until

an acceptable difference between measured and model-generated output is obtained.

Model validation
The model is run here with the calibrated

parameters to compare the performance of the model with measured data (Suviboon, 2006; Leekpai, 2006).

Calibration
20 Stations

Precipitation runoff
Sedimentation Loss Cd content in sediment

Relative error between

5-20%

Verification
220 sampling

points Precipitation runoff Sedimentation Loss Cd content in sediment Relative error between 10-30%

hydraulic conductivity

soil erodibility

flow resistance

crop management factor

Cadmium
Model Performance

Calibration pts Validation pts

Scenario Analysis

Increase Fertilizer

(1.1)

usage by 10%

Scenario Analysis

Increase Fertilizer

(1.2)

usage by 50%

Scenario Analysis

Decrease usage by

10%

(1.3)

Scenario Analysis

Decrease usage by

50%

(1.4)

Scenario Analysis

changing types of

fertilizer

(2)

7.19 mg/kg cadmium

7.27 mg/kg cadmium

Scenario Analysis

changing types of

fertilizer

(2)

Scenario Analysis

change of crops grown

(3)

in the area

Conclusion
Substance Flux Analysis

41,745 tons/year of phosphorus, and 273 kg/year of cadmium from phosphate fertilizer were induced into SLB. The stock calculation for phosphorus and cadmium were found to be 248.7 tons/year and 62.8 tons/year respectively.

Conclusion
TREX Modeling

U-Tapao watershed had the highest potential of phosphorous and cadmium transportation in the sediment runoff. Factors promoting includes;
run off high runoff elevation steep slope soil erodibility high erosion organic matter high pH acidity crop management horticultural crops clay high percentage total metal high

Conclusion
Scenario Analysis

A total of three scenarios were demonstrated and tested in U-Tapao sub watershed.

Alone by changing the fertilizer formula, from high to low contaminated cadmium lead towards a significant decrease of cadmium contribution to the watershed.

Acknowledgements
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatchai Ratanachai (PSU) Dr. Manaskorn Rachakornkij (CU) Lecturers and staffs of NRC-EHWM

Q&A