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Coupling nitrogen removal and watershed management to improve global lake water quality

Author

Listed:
  • Xing Yan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yongqiu Xia

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

  • Xu Zhao

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

  • Chaopu Ti

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Longlong Xia

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Scott X. Chang

    (University of Alberta)

  • Xiaoyuan Yan

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

Abstract

Lakes play a vital role in nitrogen (N) removal and water quality improvement, yet their efficiency varies due to differing watershed N input and lake characteristics, complicating management efforts. Here we established the N budget for 5768 global lakes using a remote sensing model. We found that watershed N input reduction and lake water quality improvement are nonlinearly related and depends on lake N removal efficiency. A 30% reduction in N loading in watersheds with high N removal efficiencies can improve cumulative water quality by over 70%. Stricter reduction could accelerate achieving water quality goal (≤1 mg N L–1), shortening the time by up to 30 years for most lakes. However, heavily polluted lakes with low N removal efficiencies (50 of 534 lakes with >1 mg N L–1) may not achieve the UN’s clean water SDG by 2030, even with a 100% N input reduction. Our research highlights the need for targeted N management strategies to improve global lake water quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Xing Yan & Yongqiu Xia & Xu Zhao & Chaopu Ti & Longlong Xia & Scott X. Chang & Xiaoyuan Yan, 2025. "Coupling nitrogen removal and watershed management to improve global lake water quality," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57442-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57442-0
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