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Processes governing nutrient dynamics in tropical urban-agriculture rivers, NE Thailand

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Abstract

Eutrophication induced water quality deterioration is typically found in urban–agricultural environments, especially in tropical cities. This study aims to understand processes governing nutrient dynamics in surface running waters at three cities in NE Thailand. Sampling was performed in both dry and wet seasons. The sampling sites exhibited different hydro-morphological characteristics. The results showed high NH3 concentration, exceeding the national standard, and high PO43−, classified as eutrophic water. The N:P ratio, however, was typically below the Redfield ratio for optimal algal growth. Stepwise linear regression models describe the processes governing loss and supply of TKN, NH3, NO3−, and PO43− in the urban river waters. The processes include upstream dilution, sorption/desorption, resuspension, urban wastewater discharge, and biological processes. The findings suggested that urban nutrient management should focus on minimizing NH3 and PO43−, preferably by proper wastewater and stormwater collection, upstream soil–water conservation, and river bed maintenance.

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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in the manuscript.

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Acknowledgements

The author is thankful to the staff; Mr. Tanaporn Sripisan, Miss Krongkaew Somthong, Miss Oracha Ruecha, and Mrs Narinthip Suksompong, for their assistance during field work and sample analyses. The authors also appreciate the help from Dr. Adrian R. Plant, Mahasarakham University for language editing.

Funding

This research was financially supported by the National Research Council of Thailand, NRCT fiscal year 2018 to 2020, and co-funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under the Thailand–China Future Earth Project (41661144030).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Engineering and Disaster Management Program, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus, 199 Moo 9, Lumsum Sub-District, Saiyok District, Kanchanaburi, 71150, Thailand

    Arika Bridhikitti & Monchai Pumkaew

  2. Earth Science Research Cluster, Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus, 199 Moo 9, Lumsum Sub-District, Saiyok District, Kanchanaburi, 71150, Thailand

    Arika Bridhikitti

  3. Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahasarakham University, Kham Rieng Sub-District, Kantharawichai District, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Thayukorn Prabamroong

  4. State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Guo-An Yu & Gaohuan Liu

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  1. Arika Bridhikitti
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  2. Monchai Pumkaew
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  3. Thayukorn Prabamroong
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  4. Guo-An Yu
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  5. Gaohuan Liu
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Contributions

AB: conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing, funding acquisition; MP: supervision; TP: administration, field sampling; GAY: supervision, field sampling; GL: supervision, funding acquisition.

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Correspondence to Arika Bridhikitti.

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Bridhikitti, A., Pumkaew, M., Prabamroong, T. et al. Processes governing nutrient dynamics in tropical urban-agriculture rivers, NE Thailand. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 8, 156 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00750-w

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