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Wu J, Qin CX, Yue Y, Cheng SP, Zeng H, He LY. Comprehensive effects of climate, land use/cover and management practices on runoff and nutrient variations in a rapidly urbanizing watershed. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140934. [PMID: 38092164 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
As non-point source pollution has emerged as a significant global and regional concern, climate change (CC), land use/cover transformation (LUCT), and management practices (MP) play vital roles in addressing nutrient pollution. However, current studies lack comprehensive quantification and consistent conclusions on the response to these factors, especially for management practices. To quantify and elucidate the impact of representative environmental factors on rapidly urbanizing regions, this study focused on the Shenzhen River, which serves as the most typical urbanizing watershed. Using a process-based distributed hydrological model with a factor-controlled simulation method, we identified significant differences in nutrient concentrations and the impacts of climate variability, land use/cover changes, and anthropogenic interventions from 2003 to 2020. Moreover, effective measures greatly improved water quality in the Shenzhen River during study period, as evident from trend and cluster analysis. However, ecological water supplements implemented since 2016 have led to a slight reduction in simulated runoff performance, and CC may amplify the synergistic effects of precipitation and temperature on the river system. While the implemented practices have been effective in reducing total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) loads, strong TN pollution control is still needed in rapidly urbanizing areas due to the results of land use/cover type changes. Our findings emphasize the intricate interplay among CC, LUCT, and MP in shaping water quality and hydrological processes in rapidly urbanizing watersheds, and clarify the independent effects of these factors on nutrients. This study contributes to a better understanding of the complex interactions between multiple factors in watersheds and provides guidance for sustainable watershed management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Wu
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Cheng-Xin Qin
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yao Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Shu-Peng Cheng
- School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ling-Yan He
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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2
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Wang R, Liu L, Tao Z, Wan B, Wang Y, Tang X, Li Y, Li X. Effect of urbanization and urban forests on water quality improvement in the Yangtze River Delta: A case study in Hangzhou, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119980. [PMID: 38176386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
In the context of rapid global urbanization, the sustainable development of ecosystems should be considered. Accordingly, the Planetary Boundaries theory posits that reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants entering bodies of water is necessary as excess levels may harm the aquatic environment and reduce in water quality. Thus, based on the long-term monitoring data of representative urban rivers in the Yangtze River Delta region, we evaluated the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of water bodies in different urbanization stages and further quantified the effect of urban forests on water quality improvement. The results showed that, with the continuous progression of urbanization, the proportion of impervious surface area increased, along with the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in water bodies. The critical period of water quality deterioration in urban rivers occurred during the medium urbanization level when the proportion of impervious surface area reached 55-65 %, and the probability of an abrupt increase in total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentration exceeded 95 %. However, increasing the area of urban forests during this period reduced TN pollution by 36.64 % and TP pollution by 49.03 %. The results of this study support the expansion of urban forests during the medium urbanization stage to improve water quality. Furthermore, our results provide a reference and theoretical basis for urban forest construction as a key aspect of the sustainable development of the urban ecosystem in the Yangtze River Delta and similar regions around world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongjia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Forest Aromatic Plants-based Healthcare Functions, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Zhizhong Tao
- Anji County Bureau of Water Resources, Huzhou, 313300, PR China
| | - Bing Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China.
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3
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Atkinson CL, Shogren AJ, Smith CR, Golladay SW. Water availability and seasonality shape elemental stoichiometry across space and time. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2842. [PMID: 36920346 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of climate change and increasing anthropogenic water withdrawals is anticipated to alter surface water availability and the transport of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in river networks. But how changes to river flow will alter the balance, or stoichiometry, of these fluxes is unknown. The Lower Flint River Basin (LFRB) is part of an interstate watershed relied upon by several million people for diverse ecosystem services, including seasonal crop irrigation, municipal drinking water access, and public recreation. Recently, increased water demand compounded with intensified droughts have caused historically perennial streams in the LFRB to cease flowing, increasing ecosystem vulnerability. Our objectives were to quantify how riverine dissolved C:N:P varies spatially and seasonally and determine how monthly stoichiometric fluxes varied with overall water availability in a major tributary of LFRB. We used a long-term record (21-29 years) of solute water chemistry (dissolved organic carbon, nitrate/nitrite, ammonia, and soluble reactive phosphorus) paired with long-term stream discharge data across six sites within a single LFRB watershed. We found spatial and seasonal differences in soluble nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry attributable to groundwater connections, the presence of a major floodplain wetland, and flow conditions. Further, we showed that water availability, as indicated by the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), strongly predicted stoichiometry with generally lower C:N and C:P and higher N:P fluxes during periods of low water availability (PDSI < -4). These patterns suggest there may be long-term and significant changes to stream ecosystem function as water availability is being dramatically altered by human demand with consequential impacts on solute transport, in-stream processing, and stoichiometric ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla L Atkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Arial J Shogren
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Chelsea R Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- The Jones Center at Ichauway, Newton, Georgia, USA
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4
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Lee LC, Weigelhofer G, Hein T, Chan SC, Liou YS, Liao CS, Shiah FK, Yu YL, Lee TY, Huang JC. Transition of carbon-nitrogen coupling under different anthropogenic disturbances in subtropical small mountainous rivers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:162017. [PMID: 36739020 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The commonly observed inverse relationship between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations in aquatic systems can be explained by stoichiometric and thermodynamic principles regulating microbial assimilation and dissimilation processes. However, the interactive effects of human activities and dissolved oxygen (DO) on the DOC and DIN (dissolved inorganic nitrogen, mainly composed of NO3--N and NH4+-N) relations are not well identified, particularly in subtropical small mountainous rivers (SMRs). Here, we investigated the exports and relations of DOC-DIN in 42 Taiwan SMRs under different anthropogenic disturbances. Results showed that the island-wide mean concentrations of the three solutes in streams are generally low, yet the abundant rainfall and persistent supply contrarily lead to disproportional high DOC and DIN yields. The inverse DOC-NO3--N relation does not appear under well‑oxygenated conditions, regardless of low or high human disturbance. However, a significant inverse relationship between DOC-NO3--N would emerge in highly-disturbed watersheds under low-oxygenated conditions (mean annual DO <6.5 mg L-1), where excess N accumulates as NH4+-N rather than NO3--N. The controlling mechanism of DOC-DIN relations would shift from energetic constraints to redox constraints in low-oxygenated conditions. Although riverine concentrations of DOC, NO3--N, and NH4+-N could be elevated by human activities, the transition of DOC-DIN relation pattern is directly linked to DO availability. Understanding the mechanism that drives CN coupling is critical for assessing the ecosystem function in the delivery and retention of DOC and DIN in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chin Lee
- Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabriele Weigelhofer
- Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria; WasserCluster Lunz, Lunz am See, Austria
| | - Thomas Hein
- Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria; WasserCluster Lunz, Lunz am See, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Meta Ecosystem Dynamics in Riverine Landscapes, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shin-Chien Chan
- Department of Geography, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ying-San Liou
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Sen Liao
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Fuh-Kwo Shiah
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Yu
- Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Yu Lee
- Department of Geography, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jr-Chuan Huang
- Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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5
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Joseph N, Sangster J, Topping M, Bartelt-Hunt S, Kolok AS. Evaluating the impact of turbidity, precipitation, and land use on nutrient levels and atrazine concentrations in Illinois surface water as determined by citizen scientists. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:158081. [PMID: 35985591 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of turbidity, precipitation, land use, and five-week variation on nutrient levels and atrazine concentrations across Illinois state. To acquire the greatest number of samples in a cost and time-sensitive manner, data were collected by citizen scientists. Volunteers collected data regarding five water quality metrics: nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, atrazine, and turbidity once per week from April 19 until May 17, 2017. A subset (24 %) of volunteers also collected turbidity measurements. Data regarding precipitation was obtained from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), a long-standing grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers. Three ordinal regression analyses were performed: one without a blocking effect, a second with week as a blocking effect, and a third with watershed as a blocking effect. In all cases, turbidity was significantly associated with elevated levels of nitrate (Pseudo R2-0.48 to 0.94) and phosphate (Pseudo R2-0.60 to 0.80), while precipitation was significantly associated with elevated levels of nitrate (Pseudo R2-0.25 to 0.35). While analyzing five-week variation, the nitrite and nitrate levels, but not phosphate or atrazine, tended to increase at each site. Further, nitrite and nitrate levels significantly varied between the four land uses - agricultural, urban, suburban, and park. When data were analyzed by the three most well-sampled watersheds, Kankakee, Des Plaines, and Chicago, it was identified that the nutrient levels in the Kankakee and Chicago watersheds were significantly elevated relative to the Des Plaines watershed. Finally, cluster analysis identified that clusters dominated by agricultural land, and to a lesser extent suburban land use, had the most elevated nutrient concentration and the greatest frequency of atrazine hits. Data collected by citizen scientists can provide insight into the geospatial variability of nutrients and agrichemicals and can do so across large geographies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Joseph
- Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Jodi Sangster
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Melissa Topping
- Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | | | - Alan S Kolok
- Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
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6
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McDowell WH, Potter JD. Context dependence in a tropical forest: Repeated disturbance reduces soil nitrate response but increases phosphate. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- William H. McDowell
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment University of New Hampshire Durham New Hampshire USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences Luquillo LTER, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, College of Natural Science San Juan Puerto Rico USA
- Institute of Environment Florida International University Miami Florida USA
| | - Jody D. Potter
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment University of New Hampshire Durham New Hampshire USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences Luquillo LTER, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, College of Natural Science San Juan Puerto Rico USA
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7
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Rodríguez‐Cardona BM, Wymore AS, Argerich A, Barnes RT, Bernal S, Brookshire ENJ, Coble AA, Dodds WK, Fazekas HM, Helton AM, Johnes PJ, Johnson SL, Jones JB, Kaushal SS, Kortelainen P, López‐Lloreda C, Spencer RGM, McDowell WH. Shifting stoichiometry: Long-term trends in stream-dissolved organic matter reveal altered C:N ratios due to history of atmospheric acid deposition. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:98-114. [PMID: 34706120 PMCID: PMC9297910 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) are important energy and nutrient sources for aquatic ecosystems. In many northern temperate, freshwater systems DOC has increased in the past 50 years. Less is known about how changes in DOC may vary across latitudes, and whether changes in DON track those of DOC. Here, we present long-term DOC and DON data from 74 streams distributed across seven sites in biomes ranging from the tropics to northern boreal forests with varying histories of atmospheric acid deposition. For each stream, we examined the temporal trends of DOC and DON concentrations and DOC:DON molar ratios. While some sites displayed consistent positive or negative trends in stream DOC and DON concentrations, changes in direction or magnitude were inconsistent at regional or local scales. DON trends did not always track those of DOC, though DOC:DON ratios increased over time for ~30% of streams. Our results indicate that the dissolved organic matter (DOM) pool is experiencing fundamental changes due to the recovery from atmospheric acid deposition. Changes in DOC:DON stoichiometry point to a shifting energy-nutrient balance in many aquatic ecosystems. Sustained changes in the character of DOM can have major implications for stream metabolism, biogeochemical processes, food webs, and drinking water quality (including disinfection by-products). Understanding regional and global variation in DOC and DON concentrations is important for developing realistic models and watershed management protocols to effectively target mitigation efforts aimed at bringing DOM flux and nutrient enrichment under control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca M. Rodríguez‐Cardona
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNew HampshireUSA
- Département des sciences biologiquesUniversité du Québec à MontréalMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Adam S. Wymore
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNew HampshireUSA
| | - Alba Argerich
- School of Natural ResourcesUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Rebecca T. Barnes
- Environmental Studies ProgramColorado CollegeColorado SpringsColoradoUSA
| | - Susana Bernal
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB‐CSIC)BlanesSpain
| | - E. N. Jack Brookshire
- Department of Land Resources and Environmental SciencesMontana State UniversityBozemanMontanaUSA
| | - Ashley A. Coble
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc.CorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Walter K. Dodds
- Division of BiologyKansas State UniversityManhattanKansasUSA
| | - Hannah M. Fazekas
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNew HampshireUSA
| | - Ashley M. Helton
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, and the Center for Environmental Sciences and EngineeringUniversity of ConnecticutStorrsConnecticutUSA
| | - Penny J. Johnes
- School of Geographical SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Sherri L. Johnson
- USDA Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Jeremy B. Jones
- Institute of Arctic Biology & Department of Biology and WildlifeUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAlaskaUSA
| | - Sujay S. Kaushal
- Department of GeologyUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | | | - Carla López‐Lloreda
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNew HampshireUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVirginiaUSA
| | - Robert G. M. Spencer
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric SciencesFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - William H. McDowell
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNew HampshireUSA
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Wigand C, Oczkowski AJ, Branoff BL, Eagle M, Hanson A, Martin RM, Balogh S, Miller KM, Huertas E, Loffredo J, Watson EB. Recent Nitrogen Storage and Accumulation Rates in Mangrove Soils Exceed Historic Rates in the Urbanized San Juan Bay Estuary (Puerto Rico, United States). FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE 2021; 4:1-765896. [PMID: 35059638 PMCID: PMC8765364 DOI: 10.3389/ffgc.2021.765896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Tropical mangrove forests have been described as "coastal kidneys," promoting sediment deposition and filtering contaminants, including excess nutrients. Coastal areas throughout the world are experiencing increased human activities, resulting in altered geomorphology, hydrology, and nutrient inputs. To effectively manage and sustain coastal mangroves, it is important to understand nitrogen (N) storage and accumulation in systems where human activities are causing rapid changes in N inputs and cycling. We examined N storage and accumulation rates in recent (1970 - 2016) and historic (1930 - 1970) decades in the context of urbanization in the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE, Puerto Rico), using mangrove soil cores that were radiometrically dated. Local anthropogenic stressors can alter N storage rates in peri-urban mangrove systems either directly by increasing N soil fertility or indirectly by altering hydrology (e.g., dredging, filling, and canalization). Nitrogen accumulation rates were greater in recent decades than historic decades at Piñones Forest and Martin Peña East. Martin Peña East was characterized by high urbanization, and Piñones, by the least urbanization in the SJBE. The mangrove forest at Martin Peña East fringed a poorly drained canal and often received raw sewage inputs, with N accumulation rates ranging from 17.7 to 37.9 g -2 y-1 in recent decades. The Piñones Forest was isolated and had low flushing, possibly exacerbated by river damming, with N accumulation rates ranging from 18.6 to 24.2 g -2 y-1 in recent decades. Nearly all (96.3%) of the estuary-wide mangrove N (9.4 Mg ha-1) was stored in the soils with 7.1 Mg ha-1 sequestered during 1970-2017 (0-18 cm) and 2.3 Mg ha-1 during 1930-1970 (19-28 cm). Estuary-wide mangrove soil N accumulation rates were over twice as great in recent decades (0.18 ± 0.002 Mg ha-1y-1) than historically (0.08 ± 0.001 Mg ha-1y-1). Nitrogen accumulation rates in SJBE mangrove soils in recent times were twofold larger than the rate of human-consumed food N that is exported as wastewater (0.08 Mg ha-1 y-1), suggesting the potential for mangroves to sequester human-derived N. Conservation and effective management of mangrove forests and their surrounding watersheds in the Anthropocene are important for maintaining water quality in coastal communities throughout tropical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathleen Wigand
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Narragansett, RI, United States
| | - Autumn J. Oczkowski
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Narragansett, RI, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Branoff
- Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Gulf Breeze, FL, United States
| | - Meagan Eagle
- Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Alana Hanson
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Narragansett, RI, United States
| | - Rose M. Martin
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Narragansett, RI, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Stephen Balogh
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Narragansett, RI, United States
| | - Kenneth M. Miller
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Alexandria, VA, United States
| | - Evelyn Huertas
- Caribbean Environmental Protection Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Guaynabo, PR, United States
| | - Joseph Loffredo
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Elizabeth B. Watson
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science, The Academy of Natural Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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9
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Mosesso LR, Buda A, Collick A, Kennedy C, Folmar G, Shober A. Examining sources and pathways of phosphorus transfer in a ditch-drained field. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2021; 50:680-693. [PMID: 33843067 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the processes that mobilize and transport dissolved phosphorus (P) during storms is critical to managing P in flat landscapes with open ditch drainage and legacy soil P. In this study, we used routine baseflow monitoring and intensive storm sampling at a ditch-drained site on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore (July 2017-September 2018) to assess whether concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationships and chemical and isotopic hydrograph separation could provide insight into the processes that mobilize and transport dissolved P in ditch drainage. Using a segmented regression model, we determined that long-term C-Q relationships for dissolved P differed above and below a discharge threshold of 6.4 L s-1 . Intensive storm sampling revealed that small storms (n = 3) occurring at or below the discharge threshold generally exhibited complex hysteresis and dissolved P dilution patterns that were consistent with deeper (>122 cm) groundwater inputs with low dissolved P concentrations (0.04 mg L-1 ). In contrast, large storms occurring well above the discharge threshold (n = 4) induced rising water tables and preferential flow pathways that most likely tapped dissolved P-enriched shallow (<20 cm) soil waters (0.89 mg L-1 ), producing consistent clockwise hysteresis and dissolved P flushing patterns. Notably, chemical and isotope hydrograph separation during two of the largest storms revealed significant event water fractions (59-68%) that strongly suggested a role for the rapid delivery of dissolved P via preferential flow pathways. Findings highlight the need to mitigate vertical P stratification as a means for reducing dissolved P flushing from ditch-drained landscapes with legacy P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren R Mosesso
- Dep. of Plant and Soil Sciences, Univ. of Delaware, 531 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Anthony Buda
- USDA-ARS, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, Curtin Road, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Amy Collick
- Dep. of Agricultural Sciences, Morehead State Univ., 326 Reed Hall, Morehead, KY, 40351, USA
| | - Casey Kennedy
- USDA-ARS, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, East Wareham, MA, 02538, USA
| | - Gordon Folmar
- USDA-ARS, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, Curtin Road, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Amy Shober
- Dep. of Plant and Soil Sciences, Univ. of Delaware, 531 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 19716, USA
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Manning DWP, Rosemond AD, Benstead JP, Bumpers PM, Kominoski JS. Transport of N and P in U.S. streams and rivers differs with land use and between dissolved and particulate forms. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02130. [PMID: 32227394 PMCID: PMC7507146 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We used a recently published, open-access data set of U.S. streamwater nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations to test whether watershed land use differentially influences N and P concentrations, including the relative availability of dissolved and particulate nutrient fractions. We tested the hypothesis that N and P concentrations and molar ratios in streams and rivers of the United States reflect differing nutrient inputs from three dominant land-use types (agricultural, urban and forested). We also tested for differences between dissolved inorganic nutrients and suspended particulate nutrient fractions to infer sources and potential processing mechanisms across spatial and temporal scales. Observed total N and P concentrations often exceeded reported thresholds for structural changes to benthic algae (58, 57% of reported values, respectively), macroinvertebrates (39% for TN and TP), and fish (41, 37%, respectively). The majority of dissolved N and P concentrations exceeded threshold concentrations known to stimulate benthic algal growth (85, 87%, respectively), and organic matter breakdown rates (94, 58%, respectively). Concentrations of both N and P, and total and dissolved N:P ratios, were higher in streams and rivers with more agricultural and urban than forested land cover. The pattern of elevated nutrient concentrations with agricultural and urban land use was weaker for particulate fractions. The % N contained in particles decreased slightly with higher agriculture and urbanization, whereas % P in particles was unrelated to land use. Particulate N:P was relatively constant (interquartile range = 2-7) and independent of variation in DIN:DIP (interquartile range = 22-152). Dissolved, but not particulate, N:P ratios were temporally variable. Constant particulate N:P across steep DIN:DIP gradients in both space and time suggests that the stoichiometry of particulates across U.S. watersheds is most likely controlled either by external or by physicochemical instream factors, rather than by biological processing within streams. Our findings suggest that most U.S. streams and rivers have concentrations of N and P exceeding those considered protective of ecological integrity, retain dissolved N less efficiently than P, which is retained proportionally more in particles, and thus transport and export high N:P streamwater to downstream ecosystems on a continental scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. P. Manning
- Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgia30602USA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Nebraska at OmahaOmahaNebraska68182USA
| | - Amy D. Rosemond
- Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgia30602USA
| | | | | | - John S. Kominoski
- Department of Biological SciencesFlorida International UniversityMiamiFlorida33199USA
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Cerqueira TC, Mendonça RL, Gomes RL, de Jesus RM, da Silva DML. Effects of urbanization on water quality in a watershed in northeastern Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 192:65. [PMID: 31872291 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-8020-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Changes to land use generate imbalances in the natural dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. These changes can vary according to the specific characteristics of each environment and due to seasonal factors, reinforcing the importance of studies in this area in different regions of the globe. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of land use change on the rivers and streams of the Cachoeira River Basin in the Northeast of Brazil. Samples were collected bi-monthly at 16 points along the basin over 1 year and analyzed for physical and chemical parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, and percentage saturation of dissolved oxygen), inorganic nutrients (NO3-, NO2-, NH4+/NH3, PO43-, SiO4) and dissolved major ions (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, HCO3-). The highest concentrations of NO3-, NO2-, NH4+/NH3, and PO43- occurred at the points with the highest percentage of urban areas and population density. The major ions Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, and HCO3- were positively correlated with the percentage of pasture coverage; however, the high concentrations of these ions and the strong correlation between them revealed that other factors besides land use, such as soil cover, geological formation, and water deficit, may be jointly contributing to increases in their concentrations. Thus, the results show that urbanization represents the type of land use with the greatest negative effect on water quality since it alters the concentrations of inorganic nutrients dissolved in the Cachoeira River Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Carvalho Cerqueira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, BA, 45662-900, Brazil.
| | - Roberto Lemos Mendonça
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Lima Gomes
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Raildo Mota de Jesus
- Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
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12
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Chen S, Lu Y, Dash P, Das P, Li J, Capps K, Majidzadeh H, Elliott M. Hurricane pulses: Small watershed exports of dissolved nutrients and organic matter during large storms in the Southeastern USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 689:232-244. [PMID: 31271989 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, can cause ecological disturbances that alter energy and nutrients across terrestrial-aquatic boundaries. Yet, relatively few studies have considered the impacts of extreme weather events on biogeochemical dynamics in watersheds at larger spatial scales. Here, we assessed the effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma on the export of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and nutrients in ten watersheds from five southeastern states of the United States. We quantified the magnitude of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrients exported during the storms and assessed the changes in DOM sources and bioreactivity after storms. Our results show that the storm-mobilized DOC and nutrients fluxes were primarily driven by water discharge. The proportions of terrestrial, humic-like DOM compounds increased, and percent autochthonous, protein-like DOM decreased during high flows. Percent bioreactive DOC decreased with increasing discharge. Bioreactivity increased with increasing nitrate concentration, but decreased as percent terrestrial humic-like DOM, aromaticity, and molecular weight increased. These observations suggest that storms may have shifted flow paths to shallower depths that promoted the addition of biorefractory organic matter from topsoils into the water column. Notably, the total flux of bioreactive DOC was at least nearly twice as high at peak discharge, indicating materials transported by large storm flows could strongly enhance microbial activity in streams, although the position of storm-mediated microbial hotspots would depend on the flow rate and other instream parameters. Additionally, compared to forest-dominated watersheds, urban watersheds exported high loads of nutrients and bioreactive DOC, and a wetland-dominated watershed had a prolonged, but relatively subdued export of DOC and nutrients. Together, our findings highlight the ecological significance of extreme weather and climate events in leading to rapid, large-magnitude changes in energy and nutrient availability within drainage networks, and the potential interactions between land use and climate change on watershed biogeochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Chen
- Molecualr Eco-Geochemistry (MEG) Laboratory, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487, USA
| | - YueHan Lu
- Molecualr Eco-Geochemistry (MEG) Laboratory, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487, USA; SUSTech Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Rd., Xili, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Padmanava Dash
- Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
| | - Parnab Das
- Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487, USA
| | - Jianwei Li
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
| | - Krista Capps
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2202, USA
| | - Hamed Majidzadeh
- Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology & Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC 29442, USA
| | - Mark Elliott
- Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487, USA
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