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Modelling phosphorus inputs from agricultural sources and urban areas in river basins

Environmental Geology volume 57, pages 183–193 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

An area-differentiated model approach (MEPhos) for the quantification of mean annual P-inputs from point and diffuse sources is presented. The following pathways are considered: artificial drainage, wash-off, groundwater outflow, soil erosion, rainwater sewers, combined sewer overflows, municipal waste water treatment plants and industrial effluents. Two retention functions for rivers and reservoirs are included in order to model P-sinks within a river basin. This allows a complete record of P-loads in heterogeneous meso- and macroscale river basins and enables validation of modeling results with water quality data on a load basis. The model is applied to the River Ruhr basin (4,485 km2) in Germany, which includes contrasting natural conditions, land use patterns as well as population and industry densities. Based on validated modelling results sub-areas of high P-loads are localized and management options for the reduction of P-inputs to surface waters are proposed taking into account the site conditions of the sub-areas relevant for high P-inputs into surface waters.

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Acknowledgments

The presented research works were part of the interdisciplinary project ‘REGFLUD’ commissioned by the Federal German Research Ministry (BMBF). REGFLUD was part of the research priority “river basin management” from 2001 to 2005. The authors would like to thank Prof. Ralf Klopp, head of the water laboratories at the Ruhrverband Essen, for providing detailed information.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geosphere (ICG-4: Agrosphere), 52425, Jülich, Germany

    Björn Tetzlaff, Harry Vereecken, Ralf Kunkel & Frank Wendland

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  1. Björn Tetzlaff
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  2. Harry Vereecken
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  3. Ralf Kunkel
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  4. Frank Wendland
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Correspondence to Björn Tetzlaff.

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Tetzlaff, B., Vereecken, H., Kunkel, R. et al. Modelling phosphorus inputs from agricultural sources and urban areas in river basins. Environ Geol 57, 183–193 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1293-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1293-1

Keywords

  • Eutrophication
  • Diffuse sources
  • Point sources
  • P-modelling
  • Large river basins
  • River Ruhr