Short-Term Effects of the EU Nitrate Directive Reintroduction: Reduced N Loads to River from an Alluvial Aquifer in Northern Italy

The Po Plain (northern Italy) is one of the largest aquifers in Europe, and 67% utilized agricultural land this area classified as a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ). However, it hosts intensive agriculture livestock farming. In stretch Mincio River (a tributary River), hydraulic heads physico-chemical parameters river groundwater were monitored for hydrologic year (2020–2021), to evaluate effects manure fertilization flooding irrigation on surface- chemistry. From 2020 Nitrate Directive’s limit was reintroduced comparison has been performed comparing data from 2019 period (before reintroduction) (after). Results suggest that 2021 phreatic aquifer displayed elevated (NO3−) concentrations, exceeding 50 mg L−1, although average values lower than those 2019. loads reached 6670 kg NO3− d−1 resulted overfertilization surrounding quick transfer nitrogen river. As compared 2019, decreased by 59%, suggesting introduction limits can produce measurable, short-term responses alluvial aquifers.