Combined ecological risks of nitrogen and phosphorus in European freshwaters. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azevedo, Ligia B.; van Zelm, Rosalie; Leuven, Rob S.E.W.; Hendriks, A. Jan; Huijbregts, Mark A.J.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 200(2015)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Ecological risk -- Nitrogen -- Phosphorus -- Lake -- Stream -- River basin; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.02.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Eutrophication is a key water quality issue triggered by increasing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels and potentially posing risks to freshwater biota. We predicted the probability that an invertebrate species within a community assemblage becomes absent due to nutrient stress as the ecological risk (ER) for European lakes and streams subjected to N and P pollution from 1985 to 2011. The ER was calculated as a function of species-specific tolerances to NO3 − and total P concentrations and water quality monitoring data. Lake and stream ER averaged 50% in the last monitored year (i.e. 2011) and we observed a decrease by 22% and 38% in lake and stream ER (respectively) of river basins since 1985. Additionally, the ER from N stress surpassed that of P in both freshwater systems. The ER can be applied to identify river basins most subjected to eutrophication risks and the main drivers of impacts. Highlights: Ecological risk was estimated as response additions of N and P. The risk posed by N stress is higher than that by P in European freshwaters. Ecological risks have remained unchanged in most European river basins. Abstract : Quantifying the ecological risk of invertebrate losses due to N and P pollution.