Trends in research on leaching of biogenic substances from drainage systems: a systematic literature review
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/mla.2026.27118Abstract
Due to the increasing human impact on nature, the significance of environmental research is constantly growing. Inefficient or poorly maintained drainage systems can lead to significant losses of nutrients, promote soil erosion, eutrophication processes, and reduce the biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems. Therefore, the question arises as to what impact drainage systems have on the leaching of biogenic substances. To answer this research question, in this paper we present a systematic literature review of 132 selected papers from the Web of Science and Scopus digital databases. Obtained results of the review reveal that until 2010, the focus was mainly on nitrate studies, but in recent years there has been an increased interest in other nutrients, especially phosphorus. This analysis highlights the im-portance of nutrients in water quality assessment and the need to optimize fertilization practices in order to reduce environmental pollution. Poorly designed or poorly managed systems can increase pollution, especially during heavy rainfall, and harm water quality and ecosystems. However, the strategic implementation of controlled drainage technologies can reduce nutrient losses, improve water quality, increase crop yields, and reduce fertilizer use.
Article in English.
Biogeninių medžiagų išplovimo iš drenažo sistemų tyrimų kryptys: sisteminė literatūros apžvalga
Santrauka
Dėl didėjančio žmogaus veiklos poveikio aplinkai aplinkosauginių tyrimų reikšmė nuolat auga. Neefektyviai veikianti arba netinkamai prižiūrima drenažo sistema gali lemti didelius maisto medžiagų nuostolius, skatinti dirvožemio eroziją ir eutrofikacijos procesus, mažinti ekosistemų biologinę įvairovę bei atsparumą. Todėl kyla klausimas, kokią įtaką drenažo sistemos daro išplaunamų biogeninių medžiagų kiekiui. Siekiant atsakyti į šį klausimą, šiame straipsnyje pateikiama sisteminė literatūros apžvalga, apimanti 132 atrinktus mokslinius straipsnius iš „Web of Science“ ir „Scopus“ duomenų bazių. Apžvalgos rezultatai parodė, kad iki 2010 m. daugiausia dėmesio buvo skiriama nitratų tyrimams, tačiau pastaraisiais metais išaugo susidomėjimas kitomis maistinėmis medžiagomis, ypač fosforu. Atlikta analizė atskleidė biogeninių medžiagų svarbą vertinant vandens kokybę ir poreikį optimizuoti tręšimo praktiką, siekiant mažinti aplinkos taršą. Netinkamai suprojektuotos arba netinkamai valdomos drenažo sistemos gali didinti taršą, ypač intensyvių kritulių metu, ir neigiamai paveikti vandens kokybę bei ekosistemas. Tačiau tikslingas reguliuojamo drenažo technologijų taikymas gali sumažinti biogeninių medžiagų nuostolius, pagerinti vandens kokybę, padidinti žemės ūkio augalų derlingumą ir sumažinti trąšų naudojimą.
Reikšminiai žodžiai: drenažas, vandens kokybė, laisvasis drenažas, reguliuojamasis drenažas, biogeninės medžiagos.
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drainage, water quality, free drainage, controlled drainage, biogenic substancesHow to Cite
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Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.

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