TY - GEN
T1 - Water quality effects of varying crop, fertilizer and carbon prices
AU - Ng, T. L.
AU - Eheart, J. W.
AU - Cai, Ximing
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Crop and fertilizer prices have increased dramatically in the past few years. These prices, together with existing demand for carbon trading allowances, affect farmers' decisions. It is useful to assess the effect of varying crop, fertilizer and carbon prices on farmers' decisions, and in turn, the effect of these decisions on surface water quality, specifically the nitrate load from the watershed. To achieve the objectives of this study, a mixed integer optimization model incorporating a hydrologic model of a test site is developed. The Salt Creek watershed in East Central Illinois has been selected as the test site for this study. Simulation results indicate that there is a higher tendency for farmers to produce corn in 2007 and 2008 than in previous years. Consequently, the average fertilizer use in that period is relatively high, causing greater levels of nitrate runoff. Results also indicate that at current carbon prices, carbon trading is ineffective in reducing nitrate runoff.
AB - Crop and fertilizer prices have increased dramatically in the past few years. These prices, together with existing demand for carbon trading allowances, affect farmers' decisions. It is useful to assess the effect of varying crop, fertilizer and carbon prices on farmers' decisions, and in turn, the effect of these decisions on surface water quality, specifically the nitrate load from the watershed. To achieve the objectives of this study, a mixed integer optimization model incorporating a hydrologic model of a test site is developed. The Salt Creek watershed in East Central Illinois has been selected as the test site for this study. Simulation results indicate that there is a higher tendency for farmers to produce corn in 2007 and 2008 than in previous years. Consequently, the average fertilizer use in that period is relatively high, causing greater levels of nitrate runoff. Results also indicate that at current carbon prices, carbon trading is ineffective in reducing nitrate runoff.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70350168209&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=70350168209&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1061/41036(342)524
DO - 10.1061/41036(342)524
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:70350168209
SN - 9780784410363
T3 - Proceedings of World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009 - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009: Great Rivers
SP - 5188
EP - 5191
BT - Proceedings of World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009 - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009
T2 - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009: Great Rivers
Y2 - 17 May 2009 through 21 May 2009
ER -