Nitrate dynamics in groundwater under sugarcane in a wet-tropics catchment

The transport of nitrogen (N) to groundwater and surface water in the form of nitrate (NO(3)(-)), as a by-product of the application of N-rich fertilisers, has been studied extensively. Yet, in the catchments adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in tropical north Queensland, Australia, NO(3)(-) transport in groundwater is not regularly monitored. An assessment of groundwater chemistry in the Liverpool Creek catchment of Queensland's wet-tropics region was conducted by regular sampling and analysis of groundwater over 12 months, through wet and dry seasons. A distinct spatial variability in groundwater chemistry was observed; groundwater aquifers with very low dissolved oxygen (DO) and NO(3)(-) consistently displayed relatively higher concentrations of sulphate (SO(4)(2-)), sulphur (S(2-)) and ferrous iron (Fe(2+)) and low concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (<2 ppm). Combined with averaged measured redox potential (Eh) of <250 mV, this indicates certain regions of the catchment have conditions favourable for removal of NO(3)(-) via autotrophic denitrification (DN), while other groundwater aquifers retained NO(3)(–) concentrations just above the acceptable trigger limits defined in regional water quality guidelines. Observations indicate that the naturally heterogeneous structure of the coastal alluvium contributes to the distinct variability in groundwater chemistry over small distances, with NO(3)(-) concentrations influenced by a combination of DN, lateral shallow drainage and potential adsorption to clay surfaces within the alluvial sediments.