Enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus flows in a mixed land use basin: Drivers and consequences. (20th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Songyan; Hua, Hui; Jarvie, Helen P.; Liu, Xuewei; Zhang, You; Sheng, Hu; Liu, Xin; Zhang, Ling; Yuan, Zengwei
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 181(2018)
• Page Start: 416
• Page End: 425
• Publication Date: 2018-04-20
• Subjects: Nutrient flow -- N:P stoichiometry -- Mixed land use basin -- Basin nutrient management -- Substance flow analysis; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Rapid increase in accumulation of phosphorus (P) relative to nitrogen (N) has been observed in human-impacted regions, but the reasons are largely unknown. We developed an Integrated Nutrient Flow Analysis (INFA) model in order to assess the changes in nutrient flows of the Chaohu Lake basin from 1978 to 2015. Results show that the increase in total N input is slower than that of P (3.5-fold versus 4.2-fold) during 1978–2015, while total N loss increases much faster than that of P (3.1-fold versus 2.3-fold). We found a decline trend in the N:P ratio of nutrient input and accumulation since the mid-1990s. The decline in N:P ratio of nutrient loss to waterbodies in the basin is correlated (p < 0.05) with TN:TP of water concentration in Chaohu Lake, which may be related to the frequent algal blooms in the P-limited lake by supplying more P than N. Using an extended STIRPAT model, we found that nutrient use efficiency, urban rate, diet choice and population are key factors driving the change in nutrient flows, which contribute over 90% to the total change. This study confirms that human activities decrease N:P in regional environment and demonstrates the importance of P management to balance nutrient for improving water quality. The method in this study has a wide application for many other mixed land use regions to address nutrient flows imbalance problems and to explore nutrient management options. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: We evaluated changes in N and P flows and their stoichiometry for a basin. Human has greatly intensified N and P inputs and losses to the basin in 1978–2015. N:P ratio in input and accumulation in the basin declined since the mid-1990s. Declining N:P loss to water significantly (p < 0.05) influenced TN:TP in the lake. Expansion of inefficient farming, diet change and urbanization drove the changes.