Agricultural impacts on groundwater: Processes, modelling, and decision support

Abstract

This contribution deals in general with the assessment of agricultural production processes in relation to the environment, with specific emphasis given to groundwater resources in southern European countries and the Mediterranean. We will describe these production processes, their relation to and impact on groundwater, and the basic mechanisms and dynamics involved in the flow of water and transport of contaminants in soil and aquifer systems. An example of different modelling approaches is given, and the limitations and advantages of various approaches are discussed.