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Nitrogen and phosphorus trends in lake sediments of China may diverge

Author

Listed:
  • Panpan Ji

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Jianhui Chen

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Ruijin Chen

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Jianbao Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chaoqing Yu

    (Hainan University)

  • Fahu Chen

    (Lanzhou University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The brief history of monitoring nutrient levels in Chinese lake waters limits our understanding of the causes and the long-term trends of their eutrophication and constrains effective lake management. We therefore synthesize nutrient data from lakes in China to reveal the historical changes and project their future trends to 2100 using models. Here we show that the average concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in lake sediments have increased by 267% and 202%, respectively since 1850. In the model projections, 2030–2100, the nitrogen concentrations in the studied lakes in China may decrease, for example, by 87% in the southern districts and by 19% in the northern districts. However, the phosphorus concentrations will continue to increase by an average of 25% in the Eastern Plain, Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, and Xinjiang. Based on this differentiation, we suggest that nitrogen and phosphorus management in Chinese lakes should be carried out at the district level to help develop rational and sustainable environmental management strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Panpan Ji & Jianhui Chen & Ruijin Chen & Jianbao Liu & Chaoqing Yu & Fahu Chen, 2024. "Nitrogen and phosphorus trends in lake sediments of China may diverge," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-46968-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46968-4
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