Effects of anthropogenic activities on long-term changes of nitrogen budget in a plain river network region: A case study in the Taihu Basin
Journal
Science of The Total Environment
Date Issued
2018-12
Author(s)
Abstract
Over recent decades, Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China, has borne the brunt of intensive human activities. Non-point source pollutants and discharges of domestic wastewater are now the main cause of eutrophication. To control non-point source pollution, it is useful to have a good understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of N (nitrogen). In this study, we applied Export Coefficient Model (ECM) and the Net Anthropogenic Nitrogen Inputs (NANI) method to estimate the N loads in the Taihu Basin at county scale since 1980. We found that N inputs and exports had increased from 6432 and 3170 kg N km−2 yr−1 in 1980 to 9722 and 4582 kg N km−2 yr−1 in 2010, respectively. The 151% increase of N inputs, but 144% increase of riverine N outputs suggested the more N was retained within the Taihu Basin. Both the population density and the urban areas were strongly correlated with N inputs and exports. Approximately 38% of the N inputs were exported in 2010, but only 19% were exported in 1980. This ratio illustrated that human activities, especially urbanization and population growth, have upset N budget in the Taihu Basin. This study supported by empirical models provides a case to demonstrate the N cascade in the Taihu Basin and can also be used to support decision making and to facilitate the development of measures to control N in the future. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.
Subjects
Anthropogenic activities; Eutrophication; Export coefficient model; Nitrogen budget; Non-point source pollution; Taihu Basin
Other Subjects
Decision making; Eutrophication; Lakes; Nitrogen; Pollution control; Population statistics; River pollution; Anthropogenic activity; Export coefficient models; Nitrogen budgets; Non-point source pollution; Taihu basins; Budget control; nitrogen; alluvial plain; anthropogenic effect; decision making; eutrophication; human activity; nitrogen; nonpoint source pollution; pollution incidence; river basin; Article; land use; nonpoint source pollution; pollution control; population density; population growth; priority journal; river basin; urban area; urbanization; China; Taihu Basin
Type
journal article