Abstract
An experimental village-scale catchment was selected for investigation of nitrogen (N) sources and exports. The mean N application rate over the catchment was 350.2 kg N ha−1, but this rate varied spatially and temporally. The N leaching loss rate varied from 8.1 to 52.7 kg N ha−1 under different land use regimes. The average N leaching loss rate was 13.4 kg N ha−1 over the whole catchment, representing about 3.8% of the total N inputs. The N export rate through stormflows was 28.8 kg N ha−1, about 8.2% of the total N inputs. Seasonal patterns showed that 95% of N exports through stormflows occurred during July to September in 2002. Overall, the maximum riverine N exports were 12.1% of total N inputs and 15.5% of the inorganic fertilizer N applied. Understanding N sources and exports in a village-scale catchment can provide a knowledge base for amelioration of diffuse agricultural pollution.
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The authors acknowledge funding for this study from the Natural Science Foundations of China (40301045) and of Fujian Province (2002H009).
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Cao, W., Hong, H., Zhang, Y. et al. Anthropogenic nitrogen sources and exports in a village-scale catchment in Southeast China. Environ Geochem Health 28, 45–51 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-005-9010-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-005-9010-4