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Streamflow components (e.g., young water vs old water) and hydrological transit times play an important role in water resource and water quality management. We collected a four-year record of stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen (δ18O and δ2H) in precipitation, groundwater and stream water for six catchments in the Yongan watershed of eastern China. The stable isotope records were used to identify spatio-temporal variations in the young water fraction (Fyw, defined as the proportion of the transit-time distribution younger than a threshold age) and mean transit time (MTT) based on sine-wave fitting and convolution integral methods, respectively. The Fyw ranged from 14 to 35% in the Yongan watershed. Cumulative transit time showed contrasting distributions, suggesting considerable heterogeneity and a complex interplay between catchment characteristics. Estimated MTTs ranged from 3.2 to 6.3 years and may be explained by catchment characteristics (e.g., elevation and topographic gradient). Observed spatial trends in MTTs likely result from contrasting contributions of different-aged subsurface water flows across the six catchments. The use of Fyw constraints in estimating MTTs reduced uncertainty in some catchments, suggesting the potential benefits of combining multiple approaches (e.g., Fyw) to optimize the results of traditional calibration methods. The relatively low Fyw and long MTTs highlight the importance of groundwater contributions to streamflow generation and imply a considerable lag time in river water quantity and quality responses to catchment-scale water resource management. Coupling multiple metrics (e.g., Fyw and MTT) and isotope models enhances our understanding of watershed-scale hydrologic processes and hydrograph separation.

Quantitative information on long-term net anthropogenic phosphorus inputs (NAPI) and its relationship with riverine phosphorus (P) export are critical for developing sustainable and efficient watershed P management strategies. This is the first study to address long-term (1980-2015) NAPI and riverine P flux dynamics for the Yangtze River basin (YRB), the largest watershed in China. Over the 36-year study period, estimated NAPI to the YRB progressively increased by ∼1.4 times, with NAPIA (chemical fertilizer input + atmospheric deposition + seed input) and NAPIB (net food/feed imports + non-food input) contributing 65% and 35%, respectively. Higher population, livestock density and agricultural land area were the main drivers of increasing NAPI. Riverine total phosphorus (TP), particulate phosphorus (PP) and suspended sediment (SS) export at Datong hydrological station (downstream station) decreased by 52%, 75% and 75% during 1980-2015, respectively. In contrast, dissolved phosphorus (DP) showed an increase in both concentration (∼7-fold) and its contribution to TP flux (∼16-fold). Different trends in riverine P forms were mainly due to increasing dam/reservoir construction and changes in vegetation/land use and NAPI components. Multiple regression models incorporating NAPIA, NAPIB, dam/reservoir storage capacity and water discharge explained 84% and 92% of the temporal variability in riverine DP and PP fluxes, respectively. Riverine TP flux estimated as the sum of DP and PP fluxes showed high agreement with measured values (R2 = 0.87, NSE = 0.84), indicating strong efficacy for the developed models. The model forecasted an increase of 50% and 7% and a decrease of 15% and 22% in riverine DP flux from 2015 to 2045 under developing, dam building, NAPIA and NAPIB reduction scenarios, respectively. This study highlights the importance of including enhanced P transformation from particulate to bioavailable forms due to river regulation and changes in land-use, input sources and legacy P pools in development of P pollution control strategies.

Legacy phosphorus (P) accumulated in watersheds from excessive historical P inputs is recognized as an important component of water pollution control and sustainable P management in watersheds worldwide. However, little is known about how watershed P buffering capacity responds to legacy P pressures over time and how long it takes for riverine P concentrations to recover to a target level, especially in developing countries. This study examined long-term (1960–2010) accumulated legacy P stock, P buffering capacity and riverine TP flux dynamics to predict riverine P-reduction recovery times in the Yongan watershed of eastern China. Due to a growing legacy P stock coupled with changes in land use and climate, estimated short- and long-term buffering metrics (i.e., watershed ability to retain current year and historically accumulated surplus P, respectively) decreased by 65% and 36%, respectively, resulting in a 15-fold increase of riverine P flux between 1980 and 2010. An empirical model incorporating accumulated legacy P stock and annual precipitation was developed (R² = 0.99) and used to estimate a critical legacy P stock of 22.2 ton P km⁻² (95% CI 19.4–25.3 ton P km⁻²) that would prevent exceedance of a target riverine TP concentration of 0.05 mg P L⁻¹. Using an exponential decay model, the recovery time for depleting the estimated legacy P stock in 2010 (29.3 ton P km⁻²) to the critical level (22.2 ton P km⁻²) via riverine flux was 456 years (95% CI 353–560 years), 159 years (95% CI 57–262 years) and 318 years (95% CI 238–400 years) under scenarios of a 4% reduction in annual P inputs, total cessation of P inputs, and 4% reduction of annual P inputs with a 10% increase in average annual precipitation, respectively. Given the lower P buffering capacity and lengthening recovery time, strategies to reduce P inputs and utilize soil legacy P for crop production are necessary to effectively control riverine P pollution and conserve global rock P resources. A long-term perspective that incorporates both contemporary and historical information is required for developing sustainable P management strategies to optimize both agronomic and environmental benefits at the watershed scale.

Accurate source identification is critical for optimizing water pollution control strategies. Although the dual stable isotope (15N-NO3-/18O-NO3-) approach has been widely applied for differentiating riverine nitrogen (N) sources, the relatively short-term (75% of river discharge and were likely the major hydrological pathways for N delivery to the river. Riverine NO3- sources varied with dominant land use (p 30%) were the dominant riverine NO3- sources, implying considerable potential for N pollution legacy effects. Results were consistent with observed nitrous oxide dynamics and N sources identified in previous modeling studies. As the first attempt to apply multiple isotope tracers for exploring and quantifying N transformation and transport pathways, this study provides an integrated approach for verifying and understanding the N pollution legacy effects observed in many watersheds worldwide. This study highlights that river N pollution control in many watersheds requires particular attention to groundwater restoration and soil N management in addition to N input control strategies.

An accurate quantification of flow components and an understanding of water source dynamics are essential for effective water resource and quality management. However, the complexity of hydrological processes and the interference of intensive human activities pose significant challenges in precisely separating water discharge into distinct components such as surface runoff, interflow, and groundwater. The Xinanjiang (XAJ) model, a conceptual watershed hydrological model, has been developed and successfully implemented for rainfall–runoff simulations and hydrograph separations across various Chinese watersheds. While the model framework is robust, it fails to account for agricultural irrigation water withdrawals and the variations in in-stream water travel times across different hydrological regimes, introducing considerable uncertainty in simulating low-flow conditions. This study introduced modifications to the XAJ model by allowing parameter adjustments across different flow regimes and incorporating irrigation withdrawals into the runoff routing process. Utilizing a decade of hydrometeorological data (2013–2022) from the Yongan River watershed in eastern China, the modified model demonstrated improved efficiency metrics in low- and medium-flow regimes compared to the original model, with a Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient improvement from −4.43~−0.49 to 0.40~0.46, R2 from 0.21~0.36 to 0.53~0.63, and BIAS reduction from 7.60~89.08% to 2.06~12.71%. Furthermore, the modified XAJ model provided a more accurate estimation of the spatial and temporal distribution of streamflow components across sub-watersheds. The original model tended to overestimate groundwater contributions (13%) and underestimate interflow (14%), particularly in low-flow conditions. The enhanced XAJ model, thus, offers a more effective tool for identifying streamflow components, providing essential insights into hydrological processes for better management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Source apportionment is critical for guiding development of efficient watershed nitrogen (N) pollution control measures. The ReNuMa (Regional Nutrient Management) model, a semi-empirical, semi-process-oriented model with modest data requirements, has been widely used for riverine N source apportionment. However, the ReNuMa model contains limitations for addressing long-term N dynamics by ignoring temporal changes in atmospheric N deposition rates and N-leaching lag effects. This work modified the ReNuMa model by revising the source code to allow yearly changes in atmospheric N deposition and incorporation of N-leaching lag effects into N transport processes. The appropriate N-leaching lag time was determined from cross-correlation analysis between annual watershed individual N source inputs and riverine N export. Accuracy of the modified ReNuMa model was demonstrated through analysis of a 31-year water quality record (1980–2010) from the Yongan watershed in eastern China. The revisions considerably improved the accuracy (Nash-Sutcliff coefficient increased by ∼0.2) of the modified ReNuMa model for predicting riverine N loads. The modified model explicitly identified annual and seasonal changes in contributions of various N sources (i.e., point vs. nonpoint source, surface runoff vs. groundwater) to riverine N loads as well as the fate of watershed anthropogenic N inputs. Model results were consistent with previously modeled or observed lag time length as well as changes in riverine chloride and nitrate concentrations during the low-flow regime and available N levels in agricultural soils of this watershed. The modified ReNuMa model is applicable for addressing long-term changes in riverine N sources, providing decision-makers with critical information for guiding watershed N pollution control strategies.

The persistence effect contribution of legacy nutrients is often cited as a reason for little or no improvement in water quality following extensive implementation of watershed nutrient mitigation actions, yet there is limited knowledge concerning factors influencing this response, often called the “persistence effect.” Here, we adopted detrended fluctuation analysis and Spearman analysis methods to assess the influence of land use on the watershed phosphorus (P) persistence effect, using monthly water quality records during 2010–2016 in 13 catchments within a drinking water reservoir watershed in eastern China. Detrended fluctuation analysis was used to calculate the Hurst exponent α to assess watershed legacy P characteristics (α ≈ 0.5, α > 0.5, and α

Legacy nutrient accumulation from excess anthropogenic inputs has become a serious environmental issue in many watersheds worldwide. In this review, we provide a systematic overview of sources, legacy nutrient pools, watershed-scale water quality models, and agronomic and environmental implications of legacy nitrogen and phosphorus pools. Hydrological, biogeochemical, and anthropogenic factors exert interacting controls on legacy nutrient dynamics in soils, sediments, and vadose zone/groundwater. Most current watershed models do not effectively incorporate legacy nutrient dynamics, while models that consider legacy effect often have high uncertainty in their treatment of legacy nutrient dynamics. In many intensively managed watersheds, legacy nutrients are a dominant and long-term (> 10 years) source of nutrients to receiving waters, as well as a potentially important nutrient source for crop production. Many existing beneficial management measures have limitations for reducing legacy nutrient losses to surface waters due to appreciable differences in legacy nutrient forms, watershed storage locations, and temporal dynamics compared to those of contemporary nutrient inputs. Recognizing the importance of legacy nutrients is necessary for developing sustainable watershed nutrient management plans for future food, bioenergy, and water security. These plans require strategies to maximize use of legacy nutrient resources to minimize their loss to the atmosphere (e.g., N2O emissions) and surface waters. Finally, this synthesis identified future research needs for improving the understanding, utilization, and mitigation of watershed legacy nutrient pools.

Quantitative information on cropland phosphorus (P) flows at the township scale is critical for developing sustainable P management measures under the smallholder farming system. This study addressed changes in cropland soil surface P budgets (i.e., net of P inputs and crop outputs), use efficiencies (i.e., the ratio between crop P uptake and total P input) and legacy P pools across 21 townships in the Yongan watershed of eastern China in 1980–2010. For the entire watershed, total P input (>98% from synthetic fertilizer and farmyard manure), crop uptake and budgets per cropland area increased from 50.4, 17.3 and 33.1kgPha−1yr−1 in 1980 to 74.6, 20.5 and 55.1kgPha−1yr−1 in 1995, and then sharply declined to 39.6, 11.4 and 28.2kgPha−1yr−1 in 2010, respectively. Estimated P use efficiency decreased from 34% in 1980 to 26% in 1999 before slightly increasing to 28% in 2010. Although the 21 townships had similar temporal variations over the 1980–2010 period, P budgets and use efficiency showed 2–3-fold spatial variability among townships within a given year. Spatio-temporal variations in the P budget and use efficiency were mainly related to changes in P fertilization rates and patterns (i.e., ratio of applied synthetic fertilizer P and farmyard manure P) and cropland types. The 20 townships having soil data had 87–720% and 113–395% increases of Olsen-P and total P contents in the upper 20cm of cropland soils between 1984 and 2009, respectively. Increased soil TP level between 1984 and 2009 suggested that more than 53–79% of the cumulative P budget accumulated as legacy P pools in cropland soils. Based on regression analyses, legacy soil P contribution to annual crop P uptake was estimated to increase from 0.47kgPha−1yr−1 (3%) in 1980 to 3.45kgPha−1yr−1 (31%) in 2010, with 52–80% from synthetic fertilizer and 2–46% from farmyard manure. Improved utilization of soil legacy P pools for crop production and increasing P use efficiency are necessary to minimize P inputs and reduce nonpoint source P pollution load. The high spatial heterogeneity in P budgets and use efficiencies across townships, as well as considerable legacy soil P pools after long-term over-application, should be considered in developing P management strategies under smallholder farm systems.

Estimates of global riverine nitrous oxide (N2 O) emissions contain great uncertainty. We conducted a meta-analysis incorporating 169 observations from published literature to estimate global riverine N2 O emission rates and emission factors. Riverine N2 O flux was significantly correlated with NH4 , NO3 and DIN (NH4  + NO3 ) concentrations, loads and yields. The emission factors EF(a) (i.e., the ratio of N2 O emission rate and DIN load) and EF(b) (i.e., the ratio of N2 O and DIN concentrations) values were comparable and showed negative correlations with nitrogen concentration, load and yield and water discharge, but positive correlations with the dissolved organic carbon : DIN ratio. After individually evaluating 82 potential regression models based on EF(a) or EF(b) for global, temperate zone and subtropical zone datasets, a power function of DIN yield multiplied by watershed area was determined to provide the best fit between modeled and observed riverine N2 O emission rates (EF(a): R2  = 0.92 for both global and climatic zone models, n = 70; EF(b): R2  = 0.91 for global model and R2  = 0.90 for climatic zone models, n = 70). Using recent estimates of DIN loads for 6400 rivers, models estimated global riverine N2 O emission rates of 29.6-35.3 (mean = 32.2) Gg N2 O-N yr-1 and emission factors of 0.16-0.19% (mean = 0.17%). Global riverine N2 O emission rates are forecasted to increase by 35%, 25%, 18% and 3% in 2050 compared to the 2000s under the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment's Global Orchestration, Order from Strength, Technogarden, and Adapting Mosaic scenarios, respectively. Previous studies may overestimate global riverine N2 O emission rates (300-2100 Gg N2 O-N yr-1 ) because they ignore declining emission factor values with increasing nitrogen levels and channel size, as well as neglect differences in emission factors corresponding to different nitrogen forms. Riverine N2 O emission estimates will be further enhanced through refining emission factor estimates, extending measurements longitudinally along entire river networks and improving estimates of global riverine nitrogen loads.

This study quantified the long-term response of riverine total nitrogen (TN) export to changes in net anthropogenic nitrogen inputs to forest/agricultural (NANIFA) and residential (NANIR) systems across three catchments affected by low (LD), medium (MD), and high (HD) human impacts in eastern China. Annual NANIFA increased by 63–87% in 1980–1999, followed by 0% (LD), −23% (MD) and −40% (HD) changes of NANIFA in 2000–2010, resulting in a net increase of 56–78% in NANIFA in 1980–2010. Annual NANIR increased by 101–152% in the three catchments in 1980–2010. Land-use showed a 58–65% increase in developed land area (D%) and a 96–108% increase in agricultural lands with improved drainage systems (AD%) over the study period. In response to changes in NANIFA, NANIR and land-use, riverine TN flux continuously increased 3.0- to 6.1-fold in the three catchments over the past 31 years. For each catchment, an empirical model incorporating annual NANIFA, NANIR, water discharge, D%, and AD% was developed (R2=0.93−0.97) for predicting and quantifying sources of annual riverine TN fluxes. The model estimated that NANIFA, NANIR and other N sources (e.g., natural background, legacy, and industrial N sources) contributed 27–90%, 0–45%, and 10–28% of riverine TN fluxes, respectively. Model results were consistent with spatio-temporal changes of riverine chloride, ammonium, nitrate, dissolve oxygen and pH, as well as changes in available N levels in agricultural soils. In terms of N source management, reduction of NANIFA in catchment LD and NANIR in catchment HD would have the greatest impact on reducing riverine TN fluxes. Furthermore, changes in land use and climate as well as legacy N should be considered in developing N pollution control strategies.

This study quantified long-term response of riverine total phosphorus (TP) export to changes in land-use, climate, and net anthropogenic phosphorus inputs to agricultural/forest (NAPIAF) and residential (NAPIR) systems for the upper Jiaojiang watershed in eastern China. Annual NAPIAF rose by 73% in 1980-1999 followed by a 41% decline in 2000-2011, while NAPIR continuously increased by 122% over the 1980-2011 period. Land-use showed a 63% increase in developed land area (D%) and a 91% increase in use of efficient drainage systems on agricultural land area (AD%) over the study period. Although no significant trends were observed in annual river discharge or precipitation, the annual number of storm events rose by 90% along with a 34% increase in the coefficient of variation of daily rainfall. In response to changes of NAPIAF, NAPIR, land-use and precipitation patterns, riverine TP flux increased 16.0-fold over the 32-year record. Phosphorus export via erosion and leaching was the dominant pathway for P delivery to rivers. An empirical model incorporating annual NAPIAF, NAPIR, precipitation, D%, and AD% was developed (R2=0.96) for apportioning riverine TP sources and predicting annual riverine TP fluxes. The model estimated that NAPIAF, NAPIR and legacy P sources contributed 19-56%, 16-67% and 13-32% of annual riverine TP flux in 1980-2011, respectively. Compared to reduction of NAPIAF, reduction of NAPIR was predicted to have a greater immediate impact on decreasing riverine TP fluxes. Changes in anthropogenic P input sources (NAPIAF vs. NAPIR), land-use, and precipitation patterns as well as the legacy P source can amplify P export from landscapes to rivers and should be considered in developing P management strategies to reduce riverine P fluxes.

Climate warming is expected to have major impacts on river water quality, water column/hyporheic zone biogeochemistry and aquatic ecosystems. A quantitative understanding of spatio-temporal air (Ta) and water (Tw) temperature dynamics is required to guide river management and to facilitate adaptations to climate change. This study determined the magnitude, drivers and models for increasing Tw in three river segments of the Yongan watershed in eastern China. Over the 1980-2012 period, Tw in the watershed increased by 0.029-0.046°Cyr-1 due to a ~0.050°Cyr-1 increase of Ta and changes in local human activities (e.g., increasing developed land and population density and decreasing forest area). A standardized multiple regression model was developed for predicting annual Tw (R2=0.88-0.91) and identifying/partitioning the impact of the principal drivers on increasing Tw:Ta (76±1%), local human activities (14±2%), and water discharge (10±1%). After normalizing water discharge, climate warming and local human activities were estimated to contribute 81-95% and 5-19% of the observed rising Tw, respectively. Models forecast a 0.32-1.76°C increase in Tw by 2050 compared with the 2000-2012 baseline condition based on four future scenarios. Heterogeneity of warming rates existed across seasons and river segments, with the lower flow river and dry season demonstrating a more pronounced response to climate warming and human activities. Rising Tw due to changes in climate, local human activities and hydrology has a considerable potential to aggravate river water quality degradation and coastal water eutrophication in summer. Thus it should be carefully considered in developing watershed management strategies in response to climate change.

Quantifying point (PS) and nonpoint source (NPS) phosphorus inputs to rivers is critical for developing effective watershed remediation strategies. This study reconstructed PS and NPS total phosphorus (TP) inputs to the Yongan River in eastern China in 1980-2010 using a load apportionment model (LAM) from paired riverine TP concentrations and river discharge records. Based on the fundamental hydrological differences between PS and NPS pollution, the LAM statistically quantified their individual inputs as a power-law function of river discharge. The LAM-estimated monthly/annual riverine TP loads were in good agreement with results derived from a regression model, Load Estimator (LOADEST). The annual TP load increased from 18.4 to 357.0 Mg yr(-1) between 1980 and 2010. The PS input contributed 7-45% of annual total TP load and increased 23-fold, consistent with a 20-fold increase in flow-adjusted average chloride concentration during the low flow regime (a proxy for wastewater inputs), as well as measured increases in population, poultry, and industrial production. Inferring from observed TP and chloride ratios, as well as total suspended solids (TSS) and river discharge dynamics, temporally retained P load within the river during the low flow regime was estimated to contribute 18-65% of the annual PS input load. NPS inputs consistently dominated the annual riverine TP load (55-93%) and increased 19-fold, consistent with the strong correlation between riverine TP and TSS concentrations, increasing developed land area, improved agricultural drainage systems, and phosphorus accumulation in agricultural soils. Based on our analysis, TP pollution control strategies should be preferentially directed at reductions in NPS loads, especially during summer high-flow periods when the greatest eutrophication risk occurs.

Legacy nitrogen (N) sources originating from anthropogenic N inputs (NANI) may be a major cause of increasing riverine N exports in many regions, despite a significant decline in NANI. However, little quantitative knowledge exists concerning the lag effect of NANI on riverine N export. As a result, the N leaching lag effect is not well represented in most current watershed models. This study developed a lagged variable model (LVM) to address temporally dynamic export of watershed NANI to rivers. Employing a Koyck transformation approach used in economic analyses, the LVM expresses the indefinite number of lag terms from previous years' NANI with a lag term that incorporates the previous year's riverine N flux, enabling us to inversely calibrate model parameters from measurable variables using Bayesian statistics. Applying the LVM to the upper Jiaojiang watershed in eastern China for 1980-2010 indicated that ~97% of riverine export of annual NANI occurred in the current year and succeeding 10 years (~11 years lag time) and ~72% of annual riverine N flux was derived from previous years' NANI. Existing NANI over the 1993-2010 period would have required a 22% reduction to attain the target TN level (1.0 mg N L(-1)), guiding watershed N source controls considering the lag effect. The LVM was developed with parsimony of model structure and parameters (only four parameters in this study); thus, it is easy to develop and apply in other watersheds. The LVM provides a simple and effective tool for quantifying the lag effect of anthropogenic N input on riverine export in support of efficient development and evaluation of watershed N control strategies.

A quantitative understanding of riverine phosphorus (P) export in response to changes in anthropogenic P inputs (NAPI), land use and climate is critical for developing effective watershed P control measures. This study indicated that annual riverine TP export for the six catchments of the Yongan River watershed in eastern China increased 4.1–30.3-fold over the 1980–2010 period. Increased riverine TP export resulted from a 61–85 % increase in NAPI and a 2.6–14.6-fold increase in riverine export fraction of NAPI due to 36–43, 30–125, and 65–76 % increases in developed land area (D%), drained agricultural land area (DA%), and storm events, respectively. For the 31-year cumulative record, 1.6–14 % of NAPI was exported by rivers, 40–64 % was stored in the upper 20 cm of agricultural soils, and 30–55 % was retained in other landscape positions. An empirical model that incorporates annual NAPI, precipitation, D%, and DA% accounted for 94 % of the variation in annual riverine TP fluxes across the six catchments and 31 years. The model estimated that NAPI and legacy P contributed 42–92 % and 8–58 % of annual riverine TP flux, respectively. The model forecasts an 8–18 % increase in riverine TP flux by 2030 due to a 4 % increase in precipitation with no changes in NAPI and land use compared to the 2000–2010 baseline condition. Enhanced export of NAPI and legacy P by changes in land use and climate will delay the decrease in riverine P flux in response to NAPI reductions and should be considered in developing and assessing watershed P management strategies.

Legacy anthropogenic nitrogen (N) has been suggested as a major cause for increasing riverine N exports despite significant declines in anthropogenic N inputs in many regions. However, little quantitative knowledge exists concerning the contribution of the legacy N pool to riverine N export. This study developed a dynamic watershed N delivery model to address the role of transient storage of anthropogenic N inputs on riverine N flux. Employing simple mass balance and equivalent substitution rules, the model expresses the transient storage of legacy N mass with a term that combines the previous one year's riverine total N (TN) flux, relevant explanatory variables, and unknown parameters, enabling us to inversely calibrate the model parameters from measurable variables using Bayesian statistics. The model efficacy was demonstrated through application to the Yong'an River watershed in eastern China based on a 31 year record (1980-2010) of riverine TN fluxes. The model can quantify annual transient storage of legacy N and its resulting contribution to annual riverine N flux. The model also allows partitioning of the complete long-term mass balance for the fate (e.g., transient storage, riverine export, and loss/retention by denitrification, biomass uptake and wood product export) of annual anthropogenic N inputs. To further improve the model, various N input-output processes can be specified and long-term measurements of N fates are required to further verify the model results. This study demonstrates the need to consider transient storage effects as an improvement to current watershed models and for developing and assessing N pollution control measures. Key Points A dynamic watershed model is developed to address the transient N storage effect Legacy anthropogenic N can contribute a dominative N flux to rivers Long-term fate and transport of anthropogenic N inputs are determined

A quantitative understanding of riverine nitrogen (N) export in response to human activities and climate change is critical for developing effective watershed N pollution control measures. This study quantified net anthropogenic N inputs (NANI) and riverine dissolved inorganic N (DIN=NO3-N+NH4-N+NO2-N) export for the upper Jiaojiang River catchment in eastern China over the 1980-2010 time period and examined how NANI, hydroclimate, and land-use practices influenced riverine DIN export. Over the 31-yr study period, riverine DIN yield increased by 1.6-fold, which mainly results from a ~77% increase in NANI and increasing fractional delivery of NANI due to a ~55% increase in developed land area. An empirical model that utilizes an exponential function of NANI and a power function of combining annual water discharge and developed land area percentage could account for 89% of the variation in annual riverine DIN yields in 1980-2010. Applying this model, annual NANI, catchment storage, and natural background sources were estimated to contribute 57%, 22%, and 21%, respectively, of annual riverine DIN exports on average. Forecasting based on a likely future climate change scenario predicted a 19.6% increase in riverine DIN yield by 2030 due to a 4% increase in annual discharge with no changes in NANI and land-use compared to the 2000-2010 baseline condition. Anthropogenic activities have increased both the N inputs available for export and the fractional export of N inputs, while climate change can further enhance riverine N export. An integrated N management strategy that considers the influence of anthropogenic N inputs, land-use and climate change is required to effectively control N inputs to coastal areas.

This study demonstrates the importance of the nitrogen-leaching lag effect, soil nitrogen release, and climate change on anthropogenic N inputs (NANI) and riverine total nitrogen (TN) export dynamics using a 30-yr record for the Yongan River watershed in eastern China. Cross-correlation analysis indicated a 7-yr, 5-yr, and 4-yr lag time in riverine TN export in response to changes in NANI, temperature, and drained agricultural land area, respectively. Enhanced by warmer temperature and improved agricultural drainage, the upper 20 cm of agricultural soils released 270 kg N ha(-1) between 1980 and 2009. Climate change also increased the fractional export of NANI to river. An empirical model (R(2) = 0.96) for annual riverine TN flux incorporating these influencing factors estimated 35%, 41%, and 24% of riverine TN flux originated from the soil N pool, NANI, and background N sources, respectively. The model forecasted an increase of 45%, 25%, and 6% and a decrease of 13% in riverine TN flux from 2010 to 2030 under continued development, climate change, status-quo, and tackling scenarios, respectively. The lag effect, soil N release, and climate change delay riverine TN export reductions with respect to decreases in NANI and should be considered in developing and evaluating N management measures.

Determining point (PS) and diffuse source (DS) nutrient inputs to rivers is essential for assessing and developing mitigation strategies to reduce excessive nutrient loads that induce eutrophication. However, application of watershed mechanistic models to assess nutrient inputs is limited by large data requirements and intensive model calibration efforts. Simple export coefficient models and statistical models also require extensive primary watershed attribute information and further they cannot address seasonal patterns of nutrient delivery. In practice, monitoring efforts to identify all PSs within a watershed are very difficult due to time and economic limitations. To overcome these issues, based on the fundamental hydrological differences between PS and DS pollution, a modified load apportionment model (LAM) was developed relating the river nutrient load to nutrient inputs from PS, DS and upstream inflow sources while adjusting for in-stream nutrient retention processes. Estimates of PS and DS inputs can be easily achieved through Bayesian calibration of the five model parameters from commonly available stream monitoring data. It considers in-stream nutrient retention processes, temporal changes of PS and DS inputs, and nutrient contributions from upstream inflow waters, as well as the uncertainty associated with load estimations. The efficacy of this modified LAM was demonstrated for total nitrogen (TN) source apportionment using a 6-year record of monthly water quality data for the ChangLe River in eastern China. Aimed at attaining the targeted river TN concentration (2mgL-1), required input load reductions for PS, DS and upstream inflow were estimated. This modified LAM is applicable for both district-based and catchment-based water quality management strategies with limited data requirements, providing a simple, effective and economical tool for apportioning PS and DS nutrient inputs to rivers. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

To determine nitrogen (N) fate and environmental impact of applying anaerobic digestion slurry (ADS) to rice paddy (Oryza sativa L.), a field experiment was established using three treatments based on contrasting N application rate. The ADS (with ammonium-N accounting for >80 % of total N) treatment at a conventional application rate of 270 kg N ha-1 was compared to a negative control (no N fertilizer) and a positive control of urea applied at 270 kg N ha-1. The N budget showed the following distribution of applied N from ADS and urea: 41.3 ± 5.1 % for ADS and 36.6 ± 4.4 % for urea recovered by the rice plant (including straw, grain, and root), 16.4 ± 3.7 % for ADS and 7.4 ± 1.8 % for urea lost via ammonia volatilization, 0.26 ± 0.15 % for ADS and 0.15 ± 0.12 % for urea lost by direct N2O emission, 1.9 ± 0.5 % for ADS and 2.3 ± 0.8 % for urea leached downward, 0.70 ± 0.15 % for ADS and 0.67 ± 0.12 % for urea discharged with floodwater drainage, and 39.4 ± 8.4 % for ADS and 53.0 ± 9.1 % for urea retained by soil or lost by N2 emission. Compared to urea application, ADS application impacts the environment mainly through gaseous N losses rather than water N losses. ADS application had a positive impact on rice grain yield and reduced chemical fertilizer use. Considering the wide distribution of paddy fields and the ever-increasing quantities of ADS, ADS may serve as a valuable N source for rice cultivation, although mitigating ammonia and N2O losses should be further investigated. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.