Modeling increased riverine nitrogen export: Source tracking and integrated watershed-coast management

Dan Yu; Weijin Yan; Nengwang Chen; Benrong Peng; Huasheng Hong; Guihua Zhuo

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.10.035

Modeling increased riverine nitrogen export: Source tracking and integrated watershed-coast management

Mar Pollut Bull. 2015 Dec 30;101(2):642-52. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.10.035. Epub 2015 Oct 27.

Authors

Dan Yu¹, Weijin Yan², Nengwang Chen³, Benrong Peng¹, Huasheng Hong¹, Guihua Zhuo⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
² Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China. Electronic address: nwchen@xmu.edu.cn.
⁴ Fujian Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Fuzhou 350003, China.

PMID: 26517942
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.10.035

Abstract

The global NEWS model was calibrated and then used to quantify the long term trend of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) export from two tributaries of Jiulong River (SE China). Anthropogenic N inputs contributed 61-92% of river DIN yield which increased from 337 in 1980s to 1662 kg N km(-2) yr(-1) in 2000s for the North River, and from 653 to 3097 kg N km(-2) yr(-1) for the West River. North River and West River contributed 55% and 45% respectively of DIN loading to the estuary. Rapid development and poor management driven by national policies were responsible for increasing riverine N export. Scenario analysis and source tracking suggest that reductions of anthropogenic N inputs of at least 30% in the North River (emphasis on fertilizer and manure) and 50% in the West River (emphasis on fertilizer) could significantly improve water quality and mitigate eutrophication in both river and coastal waters.

Keywords: Coastal management; Dissolved inorganic nitrogen; Eutrophication; Jiulong River.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

China
Conservation of Natural Resources / methods
Environmental Monitoring
Estuaries*
Eutrophication
Fertilizers
Models, Theoretical*
Nitrogen / analysis*
Rivers*
Sewage
Water Pollution / analysis
Water Pollution / prevention & control
Water Quality

Substances

Fertilizers
Sewage
Nitrogen