Abstract
In this study, discharge of the pollutants from the rice paddies during cultivation and its pattern were investigated. The pH in the returned and rainfall water from ten different paddies was between 6.9 and 7.4, which is not associated with the cultivation time and farming style of individual paddy. TN and TP concentrations were highest in the beginning of first top dressing (fertilization), which indicates that proper top dressing and returned water management is crucial to reduce their discharge loads. In particular, TN concentration was more or less constant until tillering stage. This is thought to be due to the runoff of soil-adsorbed nitrogen and compost. Average SS concentration in the returned and rainfall water was 28 mg/L, and organics was predominantly soluble form, and highest COD 25 mg/L during transplanting, lowest 11.3 mg/L and average 11.3 mg/L. Density of TC (total coliform bacteria) was from 1000/100 mL to 114,000/100 mL and FC (fecal coliform) was 5 to 16% of TC density.