Relating nitrogen export patterns from a mixed land use catchment in NW Spain with rainfall and streamflow

The temporal variability in nitrogen (N) transport in the Corbeira agroforestry catchment (NW Spain) was analysed from October 2004 to September 2008. Nitrate (NO₃–N) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) loads and concentrations were determined at various timescales (annual, seasonal and event). The results revealed a strong intra‐annual and inter‐annual variability in N transport influenced by weather patterns and consequently by the hydrological regime. Mean annual export of total N in the catchment was 5.5 kg ha^?1 year^?1, with NO₃–N being the dominant form. Runoff events comprised 10% of the study period but contributed 40 and 61% of the total NO₃–N and TKN loads, respectively. The NO₃–N and TKN concentrations were higher during runoff events than under baseflow conditions, pointing to diffuse sources of N. The mobilization of TKN during runoff events was attributed to surface runoff, while NO₃–N might be related to subsurface and groundwater flow. Runoff events were characterized by high variability in N loads and concentrations. Higher variability was observed in N loads than in N concentrations, indicating that event magnitude plays an important role in N transport in this catchment; event magnitude explained approximately 96% of the NO₃–N load. However, a combination of variables related to runoff event intensity (rainfall, discharge increase and kinetic energy) explained only 66% of the TKN load. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predicting quantiles of water quality from catchment characteristics

Water quality is often highly variable both in space and time, which poses challenges for modelling the more extreme concentrations. This study developed an alternative approach to predicting water quality quantiles at individual locations. We focused on river water quality data that were collected over 25 years, at 102 catchments across the State of Victoria, Australia. We analysed and modelled spatial patterns of the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles of the concentrations of sediments, nutrients and salt, with six common constituents: total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorus (TP), filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrate-nitrite (NO_x), and electrical conductivity (EC). To predict the spatial variation of each quantile for each constituent, we developed statistical regression models and exhaustively searched through 50 catchment characteristics to identify the best set of predictors for that quantile. The models predict the spatial variation in individual quantiles of TSS, TKN and EC well (66%–96% spatial variation explained), while those for TP, FRP and NO_x have lower performance (37%–73% spatial variation explained). The most common factors that influence the spatial variations of the different constituents and quantiles are: annual temperature, percentage of cropping land area in catchment and channel slope. The statistical models developed can be used to predict how low- and high-concentration quantiles change with landscape characteristics, and thus provide a useful tool for catchment managers to inform planning and policy making with changing climate and land use conditions.     

Impact of season and road on stream crossings and river water quality in Darabkola,hyrcanian forest

Nutrients are important building blocks for healthy aquatic ecosystems and are generally nontoxic; but they can change with alteration in environmental parameters. The main objective of this study was to consider the seasonal variability of NO ₃ ^– , PO ₄ ^3– and total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations in water. The study sites, stream crossings (L30, L15) and river (R), are located in the hyrcanian forests, district 1 of Darabkola forest. The sampling was conducted in winter and spring. Water samples were taken into plastic bottles, labeled, and carried out to the laboratory for NO ₃ ^– , PO ₄ ^3– and TSS analysis. T-test results showed that there was a seasonal change in nutrient concentrations (p < 0.05) except for NO ₃ ^– concentration at L30. Also, there was no significant seasonal change in TSS concentrations at all stations. Pearson correlation analysis did not reveal the same trend. Further analysis showed that the effect of road age on water quality parameters was statistically significant for PO ₄ ^3– in spring and winter. Atmospheric precipitation plays vital role in nutrient loss and increasing concentration of suspended sediment. To prevent soil erosion from activities and discharge of wastes in the vicinity of river and stream an effective management should be planned and enforced.     

设施农业生产区降雨径流和氮磷输出特征及模拟——以滇池东岸花卉大棚种植区为例

为掌握滇池流域花卉大棚种植区的非点源污染特征,提高和改善滇池水环境质量,本研究选取呈贡县斗南村花卉大棚种植区作为研究对象,在实测降雨径流数据的基础上,通过建立Storm Water Management Model模型分别对全年连续降雨条件下和典型设计降雨条件下的降雨径流水质、水量进行了模拟.研究结果表明:1)模型的流量、化学需氧量(COD_(Cr))、悬浮物(SS)、总氮(TN)和总磷(TP)的Nash-Sutcliffe效率系数分别为0.858、0.835、0.803、0.712和0.752,能够较好地模拟研究区域的水质、水量变化.2)研究区域的平均径流系数为0.59,CODCr、SS、TN和TP的单位面积负荷率分别为118.34、82.90、54.64和5.46 kg/(hm~2·a),TN和TP是主要控制的污染物.3)各污染物浓度峰值的出现时间均早于流量峰值出现的时间,因此对滇池东岸花卉大棚种植区应进行污染物尤其是TP、TN浓度与流量错峰控制.     

Stormwater pollutant runoff: A stochastic approach

Since stormwater wash-off of pollutants in urban areas is largely affected by environmental variability, it is very difficult to predict the amount of pollutants transported by stormwater runoff during and after individual rainfall events. We investigated the addition of a random component into an exponential wash-off equation of total suspended solids (TSS) and total nitrogen (TN) to model the variability of runoff pollutant concentrations. The model can be analytically solved to describe the probability distributions of TSS and TN concentrations as a function of increasing runoff depths. TSS data from six Australian catchments and TN data from three of these catchments were used to calibrate the model and evaluate its applicability. Using the results of the model, its potential use to determine the appropriate size of stormwater treatment systems is discussed, stressing how probabilistic considerations should be included in the design of such systems. Specifically, stormwater depths retained by a treatment system should result from a compromise between the recurrence of specific runoff depths and the probability to discharge a target pollutant concentration when such a runoff depth is exceeded.     

Searching for similarity in topographic controls on carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus export from forested headwater catchments

Topography influences hydrological processes that in turn affect biogeochemical export to surface water on forested landscapes. The differences in long‐term average annual dissolved organic carbon (DOC), organic and inorganic nitrogen [NO₃^?‐N, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON)], and phosphorus (total dissolved phosphorus, TDP) export from catchments in the Algoma Highlands of Ontario, Canada, with similar climate, geology, forest and soil were established. Topographic indicators were designed to represent topographically regulated hydrological processes that influence nutrient export, including (1) hydrological storage potential (i.e. effects of topographic flats/depressions on water storage) and (2) hydrological flushing potential (i.e. effects of topographic slopes on potential for variable source area to expand and tap into previously untapped areas). Variations in NO₃^?‐N export among catchments could be explained by indicators representing both hydrological flushing potential (91%, p < 0.001) and hydrological storage potential (65%, p < 0.001), suggesting the importance of hydrological flushing in regulating NO₃^?‐N export as well as surface saturated areas in intercepting NO₃^?‐N‐loaded runoff. In contrast, hydrological storage potential explained the majority of variations among catchments in DON (69%, p < 0.001), DOC (94%, p < 0.001) and TDP (82%, p < 0.001) export. The lower explanatory power of DON (about 15% less) compared with that of DOC and TDP suggests another mechanism influencing N export, such as controls related to alternative fates of nitrogen (e.g. as gas). This study shows that simple topographic indicators can be used to track nutrient sources, sinks and their transport and export to surface water from catchments on forest landscapes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

巢湖流域塘西河上游分流制系统降雨径流污染特征及初期冲刷效应

研究城市径流水质变化及初期冲刷效应对控制与治理城市径流污染具有重要指导意义.对塘西河上游6次降雨径流水质水量进行监测分析,计算次降雨径流平均浓度(EMC)和单位面积次降雨径流污染负荷(EPL),作M(V)曲线图研究初期冲刷现象.结果表明:降雨径流中悬浮物(SS)、化学需氧量(CODCr)和总磷(TP)的EMC值相对较大;SS的EMC值波动最为显著;总氮(TN)、TP、COD_(Cr)、SS间的EMC值均呈正相关;TN的EMC值与降雨量呈负相关性.各污染物EPL值与各降雨特征间均呈正相关性,经估算2015年研究区在6-8月共有10.38 tTN、2.29 tTP、1022.43 t SS、161.70 t CODCr和5.18 t NH_3-N随降雨径流排入巢湖;降雨量和雨前干期是城市径流污染的主要影响因素;以FF5050为初期冲刷效应判别依据,5种污染物均有初期冲刷效应出现,冲刷程度表现为SSCODCrTPTNNH_3-N;各水质指标的初期冲刷强度与降雨特征之间无相关性;雨型对初期冲刷现象影响较大;当降雨强度达1.36 mm/h即有径流汇集流出时开始截流,截流时间取440 min,截取的最大径流量取224319.14 m~3.     

Nutrient source attribution: Quantitative typology distinction of active and legacy source contributions to waterborne loads

Distinction between active and legacy sources of nutrients is needed for effective reduction of waterborne nutrient loads and associated eutrophication. This study quantifies main typological differences in nutrient load behaviour versus water discharge for active and legacy sources. This quantitative typology is used for source attribution based on monitoring data for water discharge and concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) from 37 catchments draining into the Baltic Sea along the coastline of Sweden over the period 2003–2013. Results indicate dominant legacy source contributions to the monitored loads of TN and TP in most (33 of the total 37) study catchments. Dominant active sources are indicated in 1 catchment for TN, and mixed sources are indicated in 3 catchments for TN, and 4 catchments for TP. The TN and TP concentration contributions are quantified to be overall higher from the legacy than the active sources. Legacy concentrations also correlate well with key indicators of human activity in the catchments, agricultural land share for TN (R² = 0.65) and population density for TP (R² = 0.56). Legacy-dominated nutrient concentrations also change more slowly than in catchments with dominant active or mixed sources. Various data-based results and indications converge in indicating legacy source contributions as largely dominant, mainly anthropogenic, and with near-zero average change trends in the present study of catchments draining into the Baltic Sea along the coastline of Sweden, as in other parts of the world. These convergent indications emphasize needs to identify and map the different types of sources in each catchment, and differentiate strategies and measures to target each source type for possible achievement of shorter- and longer-term goals of water quality improvement.     

The role of wetland coverage within the near‐stream zone in predicting of seasonal stream export chemistry from forested headwater catchments

Stream chemistry is often used to infer catchment‐scale biogeochemical processes. However, biogeochemical cycling in the near‐stream zone or hydrologically connected areas may exert a stronger influence on stream chemistry compared with cycling processes occurring in more distal parts of the catchment, particularly in dry seasons and in dry years. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that near‐stream wetland proportion is a better predictor of seasonal (winter, spring, summer, and fall) stream chemistry compared with whole‐catchment averages and that these relationships are stronger in dryer periods with lower hydrologic connectivity. We evaluated relationships between catchment wetland proportion and 16‐year average seasonal flow‐weighted concentrations of both biogeochemically active nutrients, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrate (NO₃‐N), total phosphorus (TP), as well as weathering products, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), at ten headwater (<200 ha) forested catchments in south‐central Ontario, Canada. Wetland proportion across the entire catchment was the best predictor of DOC and TP in all seasons and years, whereas predictions of NO₃‐N concentrations improved when only the proportion of wetland within the near‐stream zone was considered. This was particularly the case during dry years and dry seasons such as summer. In contrast, Ca and Mg showed no relationship with catchment wetland proportion at any scale or in any season. In forested headwater catchments, variable hydrologic connectivity of source areas to streams alters the role of the near‐stream zone environment, particularly during dry periods. The results also suggest that extent of riparian zone control may vary under changing patterns of hydrological connectivity. Predictions of biogeochemically active nutrients, particularly NO₃‐N, can be improved by including near‐stream zone catchment morphology in landscape models.     

Spatial Distribution of SO2, NO2, and O3 Concentrations in an Industrial City of Turkey Using a Passive Sampling Method

Ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃) were measured at 51 sampling points by passive sampling technique in Kocaeli, an important industrial city in Turkey. Samples were analyzed by UV‐spectrophotometry for NO₂ and O₃ and by ion chromatography for SO₂, respectively. Concentrations of SO₂, NO₂, and O₃ were determined to investigate their spatial distribution and source characterization. The sampling campaigns revealed an average concentration of 8 µg/m³ (max. 82 µg/m³) for SO₂, and 14 µg/m³ (max. 40 µg/m³) for NO₂, in summer; while average winter concentrations were 25 µg/m³ (max. 61 µg/m³) for SO₂, and 50 µg/m³ (max. 100 µg/m³) for NO₂. The maximum ozone concentrations were determined to be 86 µg/m³ in summer and 61 µg/m³ in winter downwind of the source areas of the precursor pollutant emissions. The results showed that NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations in industrial and urban areas were two to four times higher compared with rural areas in the summer and winter. In the light of the information obtained from the spatial interpolation of the pollutant concentrations, a selection of appropriate locations for continuous monitoring was suggested according to the European Community (EU) directives.     

Sources and sinks of nutrients in a New Zealand hill pasture catchment III. Nitrogen

A study was made of the nitrogen (N) inputs to, and exports from, a stream draining a pasture catchment near Hamilton, New Zealand, in order to plan measures for minimizing N losses to natural waters. An estimated 7 kg N ha^?1 was exported from the catchment during 1981 of which 86 per cent was in reduced forms (Kjeldahl-N, TKN) and the remainder as nitrate-N (NO₃-N). Virtually all of the reduced N inputs came from saturated overland flow whereas NO₃-N inputs were dominantly subsurface derived. The TKN exported by individual storm events could be predicted (R² = 0.97) from peak flow and from the peak flow rate in the seven days preceding the storm. A TKN balance for eight events showed that except for large floods (return period approximately a year) the stream system was a net sink for TKN. During large floods, scouring of the organic rich seepage areas resulted in the stream system itself being a net source of TKN. Microbial assays for nitrification and denitrification activity indicated that the main nitrate source was the well-aerated greywacke and ash soils and that the permanently saturated seepage zones were a significant nitrate sink. An in-stream nitrate addition experiment showed that up to 20mg N m^?2 h^?1 was removed from the stream. Simultaneous measurements of in situ denitrification activity demonstrated that only about 1 per cent of this removal could be accounted for by denitrification. It was inferred that plant uptake was responsible for the remainder. Retention of near-stream seepage areas is suggested as a measure for minimizing NO₃-N export, whilst removal of stock from seasonally saturated areas during periods of saturatior should reduce soil loss and hence TKN inputs to the stream.     

城市湖泊不同水生植被区水体温室气体溶存浓度及其影响因素

为了解城市湖泊不同水生植被区水体温室气体的溶存浓度及其影响因素,于2015年4-11月按每月2次的频率采用顶空平衡法对聊城市铃铛湖典型植被区——菹草区、莲藕区和睡莲区表层水中CO₂、CH₄和N₂O的溶存浓度进行监测,计算水中温室气体的饱和度和排放通量,并测定水温（T）、pH、溶解氧（DO）、叶绿素a及营养盐浓度等理化指标,以探究水体环境因子对温室气体溶存浓度的影响.结果表明,铃铛湖各植被区水体温室气体均处于过饱和状态,是大气温室气体的"源";莲藕区CH₄浓度、饱和度和排放通量均显著高于菹草区,而各植被区N₂O和CO₂均无显著性差异;不同植被区湖水中DO、总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）和硝态氮（NO₃^--N）浓度具有显著差异,其中DO、TN和NO₃^--N浓度均表现为菹草区最高,莲藕区最低,而TP浓度则正好相反;各植被区温室气体浓度和水环境参数间的相关分析和多元回归分析的结果表明,水生植物可通过影响水体的理化性质对温室气体的产生和排放产生显著差异影响,在菹草区亚硝态氮（NO₂^--N）、NO₃^--N、T和DO是控制水体温室气体浓度的主要因子;睡莲区为TP和pH;莲藕区则为pH、NO₂^--N和DO.     

Runoff quality prediction from small urban catchments using SWMM

The RUNOFF block of EPA's storm water management model (SWMM) was used to simulate the quantity and quality of urban storm water runoff from four relatively small sites (i.e. 5·97–23·56 ha) in South Florida, each with a specific predominant land use (i.e. low density residential, high density residential, highway and commercial). The objectives of the study were to test the applicability of this model in small subtropical urban catchments and provide modellers with a way to select appropriate input parameters to be used in planning studies. A total of 58 storm events, measured by the US Geological Survey (USGS), provided hyetographs, hydrographs and pollutant loadings for biological oxygen demand (BOD₅), total suspended solids (TSS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and lead (Pb), and were used for calibration of the model. Several other catchment characteristics, also measured or estimated by USGS, were used in model input preparation. Application of the model was done using the Green–Ampt equation for infiltration loss computation, a pollutant accumulation equation using a power build-up equation dependent on the number of dry days, and a power wash-off equation dependent on the predicted runoff rate. Calibrated quantity input parameters are presented and compared with suggested values in the literature. The impervious depression storage was generally found to be the most sensitive calibration parameter, followed by the Manning's roughness coefficients of conduit and overland flow, the Green–Ampt infiltration parameters and, finally, the pervious depression storage. Calibrated quality input parameters are presented in the form of regression equations, as a function of rainfall depth and the number of antecedent dry days. A total of 16 independent rainfall events were used for verification of the model, which showed a good comparison with observed data for both hydrographs and pollutant loadings. Average model predictions for the four constituent concentrations from the verification runs also showed good agreement with NURP published values in Florida and US sites. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nutrient export via overland flow from a cultivated field of an Ultisol in southern China

Understanding the influence of complex interactions among hydrological factors, soil characteristics and biogeochemical functions on nutrient dynamics in overland flow is important for efficiently managing agricultural nonpoint pollution. Experiments were conducted to assess nutrient export from Ultisol soils in the Sunjia catchment, Jiangxi province, southern China, between 2003 and 2005. Four plots were divided into two groups: two peanut plots and two agroforestry (peanut intercropped with citrus) plots. During the study period, we collected water samples for chemical analyses after each rainfall event that generated overland flow to assess nutrient export dynamics. The concentrations of potassium (K) and nitrate‐N (NO₃^––N) in overland flow were higher during the wetting season (winter and early spring). This reflects the solubility of K and NO₃^––N, the accumulation of NO₃^––N during the dry season and an increase in desorption processes and mixing with pre‐event water caused by prolonged contact with soil in areas with long‐duration, low‐intensity rainfall. In contrast, concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were higher during the wet season (late March to early July) and during the dry season (mid‐July to the end of September or early October). This was due to the interaction between specific hydrological regimes, the properties of the Ultisol and particulate transport processes. Variations in nutrient concentrations during storm events further identified that event water was the dominant source of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, and pre‐event water was the dominant source of NO₃^––N. In addition, the results obtained for the different land uses suggest that agroforestry practices reduce nutrient loss via overland flow. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nested‐Scale Nutrient Flux in a Mixed‐Land‐Use Urbanizing Watershed

To improve quantitative understanding of mixed‐land‐use impacts on nutrient yields, a nested‐scale experimental watershed study design (n = 5) was applied in a 303(d), clean water act impaired urbanizing watershed of the lower Missouri River Basin, USA. From 2010 to 2013, water samples (n = 858 sample days per site) were analysed for total inorganic nitrogen (TIN‐N), nitrite (NO₂–N) nitrate (NO₃–N), ammonia (NH₃–N), and total phosphorus (TP‐P). Annual, seasonal, and monthly flow‐weighted concentrations (FWCs) and nutrient yields were estimated. Mean nutrient concentrations were highest where agricultural land use comprised 58% of the drainage area (NH₃ = 0.111 mg/l; NO₂ = 0.045 mg/l; NO₃ = 0.684 mg/l, TIN = 0.840 mg/l; TP = 0.127 mg/l). Average TP‐P increased by 15% with 20% increased urban land use area. Highly variable annual precipitation was observed during the study with highest nutrient yields during 2010 (record setting wet year) and lowest nutrient yields during 2012 (extreme drought year). Annual TIN‐N and TP‐P yields exceeded 10.3 and 2.04 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 from the agricultural dominated headwaters. Mean annual NH₃–N, NO₂–N, NO₃–N, TIN‐N, and TP‐P yields were 0.742, 0.400, 4.24, 5.38, and 0.979 kg ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively near the watershed outlet. Precipitation accounted for the majority of the explained variance in nutrient yields (R² values from 0.68 to 0.85). Nutrient yields were also dependent on annual precipitation of the preceding year (R² values from 0.87 to 0.91) thus enforcing the great complexity of variable mixed‐land‐use mediated source‐sink nutrient yield relationships. Study results better inform land managers and best management practices designed to mitigate nutrient pollution issues in mixed‐land‐use freshwater ecosystems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Total nitrogen inflow and outflow from a large river swamp basin to the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

River corridor wetland restoration and freshwater diversion from the lower Mississippi River are being considered as two major options to reduce nitrogen input to the Gulf of Mexico. However, it is largely uncertain how much nitrogen can actually be retained from the overflowing waters by these wetland systems. This study quantified the nitrogen inflow and outflow for the largest distributary basin of the Mississippi River, the Atchafalaya River Swamp basin. The goal of the study was to seek answers to three critical questions: (a) Does the Atchafalaya River Swamp remove a significant amount of nitrogen from the overflowing water, or is it releasing more nitrogen into the Gulf? (b) How do the nitrogen removal or release rates fluctuate seasonally and annually? (c) What are the relationships between the nitrogen removal capacity and the hydrological conditions in the basin such as river stage and discharge? By utilizing the long-term (1978–2002) river discharge and water quality data, monthly and annual nitrogen fluxes were quantified, and their relationships with the basin hydrological conditions investigated. A total nitrogen—sum of the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen (NO₃+NO₂)—mass input—output balance between the upstream (Simmesport) and downstream (Morgan City and Wax Lake Outlet) locations was established to examine the nitrogen removal potential for this, the largest freshwater swamp basin in North America. The results from this study showed that, over the past 25 years, the Atchafalaya River Swamp basin acted as a source for NO₃+NO₂ nitrogen, although the average annual output of NO₃+NO₂ nitrogen (174 584 Mg) was only slightly higher (2.3%) than the average annual input of NO₃+NO₂ nitrogen (170 721 Mg). The higher NO₃+NO₂ mass outflow occurred throughout summer and autumn, indicating an active role of biological processes on nitrogen in the overflowing waters of the Atchafalaya. However, this swamp basin has served as a major sink for organic nitrogen: the annual averages of TKN mass input and output were 200 323 and 145 917 Mg year^?1, respectively, presenting a 27.2% removal rate by the basin. This large TKN reduction appeared high during springs and low during late summers, corresponding with the fluctuation of the hydrological conditions of the river.     

平原河网区降雨径流污染负荷测算——以太湖流域望虞河西岸为例

如何精细量化降雨径流污染负荷是流域尺度实现面源精准治污全过程控制的重要前提.本研究以水污染较为严重的望虞河西岸综合示范区为例,通过开展不同土地利用类型的降雨观测实验,修正SCS-CN模型中的初损率,并基于土地利用类型遥感解译和降雨径流污染物浓度测定,精细刻画降雨径流中总磷(TP)、总氮(TN)、氨氮(NH3-N)、化学...