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Deteriorated Water Quality of Agricultural Catchments in South China by Net Anthropogenic Phosphorus Inputs

Author

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  • Cen Meng

    (Changsha Research Station for Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
    Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10049, China)

  • Yi Wang

    (Changsha Research Station for Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
    Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China)

  • Yuyan Li

    (Changsha Research Station for Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
    Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China)

  • Jiaogen Zhou

    (Changsha Research Station for Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
    Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China)

  • Yong Li

    (Changsha Research Station for Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
    Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China)

  • Jinshui Wu

    (Changsha Research Station for Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
    Key Laboratory of Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China)

Abstract

Improper anthropogenic phosphorus (P) management is considered a major cause of water quality deterioration, however the relationship between anthropogenic P input and catchment water quality is rarely quantified in China. The study area encompassed eight small catchments with areas ranging from 58.6 to 13,442.4 ha in the subtropical region of South China. On-site observations of P concentrations, stream fluxes, and social investigation of P input were conducted over a 3-year period. The regional variations of net anthropogenic phosphorus inputs (NAPI) and responses of riverine P export were quantitatively analyzed. Results showed that the total NAPI of catchments varied from 11.04 to 40.52 kg P ha −1 year −1 , where cropland systems (NAPI c ) were the largest P sources, accounting for 47.7–67.7% in total. Meanwhile, net food and feed P input varied from 3.87 to 30.73 kg P ha −1 year −1 , accounting for 35.0–75.8% in total, followed by fertilizer and non-food P input with 4.65–10.48 and 0.63–2.89 kg P ha −1 year −1 , respectively. Riverine P export and the soil total P and Olsen–P contents in croplands were all positively related to NAPI ( p < 0.05). A simple empirical model was simulated to predict the annual riverine total P fluxes using NAPI c with greater accuracy than with using NAPI or NAPI for residential land (NAPI r ). Gray relational analysis suggested that livestock density was the most important influencing factor for NAPI. It is concluded from these results that, although the livestock accounted for the largest part of the NAPI, the cropland contributed the greatest to catchment riverine P export. This probably due to recycling of animal manure for plant cropping systems. Therefore, maintaining a reasonable scale of livestock production, and reducing the internal cycle of manure or replacing part of the chemical fertilizer should be a major approach in reducing NAPI and corresponding riverine P export in the study area.

Suggested Citation

  • Cen Meng & Yi Wang & Yuyan Li & Jiaogen Zhou & Yong Li & Jinshui Wu, 2017. "Deteriorated Water Quality of Agricultural Catchments in South China by Net Anthropogenic Phosphorus Inputs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-11, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:9:p:1480-:d:110074
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ran Chen & Meiting Ju & Chunli Chu & Weiqiang Jing & Yuqiu Wang, 2018. "Identification and Quantification of Physicochemical Parameters Influencing Chlorophyll-a Concentrations through Combined Principal Component Analysis and Factor Analysis: A Case Study of the Yuqiao R," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Marzena Smol & Michał Preisner & Augusto Bianchini & Jessica Rossi & Ludwig Hermann & Tanja Schaaf & Jolita Kruopienė & Kastytis Pamakštys & Maris Klavins & Ruta Ozola-Davidane & Daina Kalnina & Elina, 2020. "Strategies for Sustainable and Circular Management of Phosphorus in the Baltic Sea Region: The Holistic Approach of the InPhos Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, March.
    3. Xiaolin Huang & Han Chen & Fang Xia & Zhenfeng Wang & Kun Mei & Xu Shang & Yuanyuan Liu & Randy A. Dahlgren & Minghua Zhang & Hong Huang, 2018. "Assessment of Long-Term Watershed Management on Reservoir Phosphorus Concentrations and Export Fluxes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-12, October.

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