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Seasonal variations of nitrogen and phosphorus retention in an agricultural drainage river in East China

  • Area 2 • Aquatic Biology and Ecology • Research Article
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Abstract

Background, aim, and scope

Riverine retention decreases loads of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in running water. It is an important process in nutrient cycling in watersheds. However, temporal riverine nutrient retention capacity varies due to changes in hydrological, ecological, and nutrient inputs into the watershed. Quantitative information of seasonal riverine N and P retention is critical for developing strategies to combat diffuse source pollution and eutrophication in riverine and coastal systems. This study examined seasonal variation of riverine total N (TN) and total P (TP) retention in the ChangLe River, an agricultural drainage river in east China.

Methods

Water quality, hydrological parameters, and hydrophyte coverage were monitored along the ChangLe River monthly during 2004–2006. Nutrient export loads (including chemical fertilizer, livestock, and domestic sources) entering the river from the catchment area were computed using an export coefficient model based on estimated nutrient sources. Riverine TN and TP retention loads (RNRL and RPRL) were estimated using mass balance calculations. Temporal variations in riverine nutrient retention were analyzed statistically.

Results and discussion

Estimated annual riverine retention loads ranged from 1,538 to 2,127 t year–1 for RNRL and from 79.4 to 90.4 t year–1 for RPRL. Monthly retention loads varied from 6.4 to 300.8 t month–1 for RNRL and from 1.4 to 15.3 t month–1 for RPRL. Both RNRL and RPRL increased with river flow, water temperature, hydrophyte coverage, monthly sunshine hours, and total TN and TP inputs. Dissolved oxygen concentration and the pH level of the river water decreased with RNRL and RPRL. Riverine nutrient retention ratios (retention as a percentage of total input) were only related to hydrophyte coverage and monthly sunshine hours. Monthly variations in RNRL and RPRL were functions of TN and TP loads.

Conclusions

Riverine nutrient retention capacity varied with environmental conditions. Annual RNRL and RPRL accounted for 30.3–48.3% and 52.5–71.2%, respectively, of total input TN and TP loads in the ChangLe River. Monthly riverine retention ratios were 3.5–88.7% for TN and 20.5–92.6% for TP. Hydrophyte growth and coverage on the river bed is the main cause for seasonal variation in riverine nutrient retention capacity. The total input TN and TP loads were the best indicators of RNRL and RPRL, respectively.

Recommendations and perspectives

High riverine nutrient retention capacity during summer due to hydrophytic growth is favorable to the avoidance of algal bloom in both river systems and coastal water in southeast China. Policies should be developed to strictly control nutrient applications on agricultural lands. Strategies for promoting hydrophyte growth in rivers are desirable for water quality management.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2007AA10Z218) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (40821140540).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources, College of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University, KaiXuan Road 258#, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China

    Dingjiang Chen & Jun Lu

  2. China Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China

    Jun Lu

  3. Scion, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, 3046, New Zealand

    Hailong Wang & Mark O. Kimberley

  4. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Subtropical Soil and Plant Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China

    Yena Shen

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  1. Dingjiang Chen
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  2. Jun Lu
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  3. Hailong Wang
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  4. Yena Shen
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  5. Mark O. Kimberley
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Correspondence to Jun Lu.

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Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

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Chen, D., Lu, J., Wang, H. et al. Seasonal variations of nitrogen and phosphorus retention in an agricultural drainage river in East China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 17, 312–320 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-009-0246-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-009-0246-x

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