Multi-scale Modeling of Nutrient Pollution in the Rivers of China

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b07352
• Publication Date: 2019-07-19T09:41:59Z
• Authors: Xi Chen; Maryna Strokal; Michelle T.H. Van...; John Stuiver; Mengru Wang; Zhaohai Bai; Lin Ma; Carolien Kroeze
• Keywords: Point source pollution; Nutrient pollution

Chinese surface waters are severely polluted by nutrients. This study addresses three challenges in nutrient modeling for rivers China: (1) difficulties transferring results across biophysical and administrative scales, (2) poor representation of the locations point sources, (3) limited incorporation direct discharge manure to rivers. The objective this is, therefore, quantify inputs nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) from different sources at multiple scales. We developed a novel multi-scale approach including detailed, state-of-the-art nutrients model show that river pollution source attributions differ among spatial Point accounted 75% total dissolved (TDP) China 2012, diffuse 72% (TDN) inputs. One-third sub-basins more than half pollution. Downscaling smallest scale (polygons) reveals 14% 9% area contribute calculated TDN TDP pollution, respectively. Sources vary considerably within counties. Clearly, may help develop effective policies water