| Title: | Comparing the selection and placement of best management practices in improving water quality using the multiobjective optimization and targeting method |
| Authors: | Chiang, L.-C., I. Chaubey , C. Maringanti and T. Huang |
| Year: | 2014 |
| Journal: | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| Volume (Issue): | 11(3) |
| Pages: | 2992-3014 |
| Article ID: | |
| DOI: | 10.3390/ijerph110302992 |
| URL (non-DOI journals): | |
| Model: | SWAT |
| Broad Application Category: | pollutant only |
| Primary Application Category: | BMP assessment (genetic algorithm or similar optimization approach) |
| Secondary Application Category: | nutrient cycling/loss and transport |
| Watershed Description: | 32 km^2 Lincoln Lake drainage area, located in northwest Arkansas, U.S. |
| Calibration Summary: | |
| Validation Summary: | |
| General Comments: | |
| Abstract: | Suites of Best Management Practices (BMPs) are usually selected to be economically and environmentally efficient in reducing nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants from agricultural areas in a watershed. The objective of this research was to compare the selection and placement of BMPs in a pasture-dominated watershed using multiobjective optimization and targeting methods. Two objective functions were used in the optimization process, which minimize pollutant losses and the BMP placement areas. The optimization tool was an integration of a multi-objective genetic algorithm (GA) and a watershed model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool—SWAT). For the targeting method, an optimum BMP option was implemented in critical areas in the watershed that contribute the greatest pollutant losses. A total of 171 BMP combinations, which consist of grazing management, vegetated filter strips (VFS), and poultry litter applications were considered. The results showed that the optimization is less effective when vegetated filter strips (VFS) are not considered, and it requires much longer computation times than the targeting method to search for optimum BMPs. Although the targeting method is effective in selecting and placing an optimum BMP, larger areas are needed for BMP implementation to achieve
the same pollutant reductions as the optimization method. |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | best management practice; nonpoint source pollution; multiobjective optimization; genetic algorithm; Soil and Water Assessment Tool |