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Simulation of runoff and nutrient export from a typical small watershed in China using the Hydrological Simulation Program–Fortran

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Abstract

The Hydrological Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF), which is a hydrological and water-quality computer model that was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, was employed to simulate runoff and nutrient export from a typical small watershed in a hilly eastern monsoon region of China. First, a parameter sensitivity analysis was performed to assess how changes in the model parameters affect runoff and nutrient export. Next, the model was calibrated and validated using measured runoff and nutrient concentration data. The Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (E NS ) values of the yearly runoff were 0.87 and 0.69 for the calibration and validation periods, respectively. For storms runoff events, the E NS values were 0.93 for the calibration period and 0.47 for the validation period. Antecedent precipitation and soil moisture conditions can affect the simulation accuracy of storm event flow. The E NS values for the total nitrogen (TN) export were 0.58 for the calibration period and 0.51 for the validation period. In addition, the correlation coefficients between the observed and simulated TN concentrations were 0.84 for the calibration period and 0.74 for the validation period. For phosphorus export, the E NS values were 0.89 for the calibration period and 0.88 for the validation period. In addition, the correlation coefficients between the observed and simulated orthophosphate concentrations were 0.96 and 0.94 for the calibration and validation periods, respectively. The nutrient simulation results are generally satisfactory even though the parameter-lumped HSPF model cannot represent the effects of the spatial pattern of land cover on nutrient export. The model parameters obtained in this study could serve as reference values for applying the model to similar regions. In addition, HSPF can properly describe the characteristics of water quantity and quality processes in this area. After adjustment, calibration, and validation of the parameters, the HSPF model is suitable for hydrological and water-quality simulations in watershed planning and management and for designing best management practices.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (41171071, 41030745), the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), the “135 Plan” Key Project of Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, the Chinese Academy of Science (NIGLAS2012135005), and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China

    Zhaofu Li, Chuan Luo, Yan Li, Jianjun Pan, Xiaosan Jiang, Quansuo Zhou & Zhengqin Xiong

  2. College of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China

    Hongyu Liu

  3. State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China

    Hengpeng Li

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  1. Zhaofu Li
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  2. Hongyu Liu
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  3. Chuan Luo
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  4. Yan Li
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  5. Hengpeng Li
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  6. Jianjun Pan
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  7. Xiaosan Jiang
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  9. Zhengqin Xiong
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Correspondence to Zhaofu Li.

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Responsible editor: Michael Matthies

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Li, Z., Liu, H., Luo, C. et al. Simulation of runoff and nutrient export from a typical small watershed in China using the Hydrological Simulation Program–Fortran. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 7954–7966 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3960-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3960-y

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