[Analysis on nitrogen and phosphorus loading of non-point sources in Shiqiao river watershed based on L-THIA model]

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2013 Nov;34(11):4218-25.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Based on the Long-term Hydrological Impact Assessment (L-THIA) model, the effect of land use and rainfall change on nitrogen and phosphorus loading of non-point sources in Shiqiao river watershed was analyzed. The parameters in L-THIA model were revised according to the data recorded in the scene of runoff plots, which were set up in the watershed. The results showed that the distribution of areas with high pollution load was mainly concentrated in agricultural land and urban land. Agricultural land was the biggest contributor to nitrogen and phosphorus load. From 1995 to 2010, the load of major pollutants, namely TN and TP, showed an obviously increasing trend with increase rates of 17.91% and 25.30%, respectively. With the urbanization in the watershed, urban land increased rapidly and its area proportion reached 43.94%. The contribution of urban land to nitrogen and phosphorus load was over 40% in 2010. This was the main reason why pollution load still increased obviously while the agricultural land decreased greatly in the past 15 years. The rainfall occurred in the watershed was mainly concentrated in the flood season, so the nitrogen and phosphorus load of the flood season was far higher than that of the non-flood season and the proportion accounting for the whole year was over 85%. Pearson regression analysis between pollution load and the frequency of different patterns of rainfall demonstrated that rainfall exceeding 20 mm in a day was the main rainfall type causing non-point source pollution.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • China
  • Hydrology
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Nitrogen / analysis*
  • Phosphorus / analysis*
  • Rivers / chemistry*
  • Seasons
  • Urbanization
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen