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Regression statistics as a tool to evaluate excess (anthropogenic) phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter in classification of Swedish fresh water quality

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Abstract

Concentrations of phophorus, nitrogen, CODMn, and humic matter in streams from small protected Swedish watersheds have been used to build statistical models useful in the evaluation of the state of the water quality. The precision of the models has been tested on data sets from other SEPA (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) reference programs as well as international data sets. The models refer to watersheds, where most of the samples have a pH above 5.0. For the nutrients two delimitations have been defined. The lowest delimitation,the most likely upper limit for pristine concentration, corresponds to the models estimate minus 1 standard error. The highest delimitation,the most likely upper limit for none or insignificant influence, corresponds to twice the lowest delimitation, which also can be considered as a management concentration [c m]. The calulated export coefficients for phosphorus agree with coefficients reported in the literature. The export coefficients for nitrogen seems to be dependent on the atmospheric deposition of nitrogen. A nutrient pollution index (NPI) has been calibrated against existing trophic state classification systems. The NPI for phosphorus show a considerable decrease in southern Sweden since the inroduction of chemical treatment plants. The nirogen conditions have not been improved to the same extent.

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  1. Center for Environmental Monitoring, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P. O. Box 7050, S-75007, Upssala, Sweden

    Thorsten Ahl

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Ahl, T. Regression statistics as a tool to evaluate excess (anthropogenic) phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter in classification of Swedish fresh water quality. Water Air Soil Pollut 74, 169–187 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01257154

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