2020s scenario analysis of nutrient load in the Mekong River Basin using a distributed hydrological model

Sci Total Environ. 2009 Oct 1;407(20):5356-66. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.06.026. Epub 2009 Jul 22.

Abstract

A distributed hydrological model, YHyM, was integrated with the export coefficient concept and applied to simulate the nutrient load in the Mekong River Basin. In the validation period (1992-1999), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency was 76.4% for discharge, 65.9% for total nitrogen, and 45.3% for total phosphorus at Khong Chiam. Using the model, scenario analysis was then performed for the 2020s taking into account major anthropogenic factors: climate change, population, land cover, fertilizer use, and industrial waste water. The results show that the load at Kompong Cham in 2020s is 6.3 x 10(4)tN a(-1) (+13.0% compared to 1990s) and 4.3 x 10(3)tP a(-1) (+24.7%). Overall, the noticeable nutrient sources are cropland in the middle region and urban load in the lower region. The installation of waste water treatment plants in urban areas possibly cut 60.6%N and 19.9%P of the estimated increase in the case without any treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Precipitation
  • China
  • Ecosystem*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Food / statistics & numerical data
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Nitrogen / analysis*
  • Nitrogen / metabolism
  • Phosphorus / analysis*
  • Phosphorus / metabolism
  • Rivers / chemistry*
  • Water Movements
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Supply

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen