Nitrogen and phosphorus budgeting is considered to be a key tool for policy makers and stakeholders when dealing with nutrient contamination issues, however no unified method has been employed in countries affected by this eutrophication problem. The current study offers a detailed insight into the estimations of nutrient loads and their distribution between different sources for a middle-sized agricultural catchment, with the use of two approaches: mass balance (static) and modelling (dynamic). Both methods revealed similar contributions of analysed nutrient sources, although the final estimates in the chosen calculation profile were divergent due to the various reasons related to the methods’ specificity. The advantages and disadvantages of both approaches have been specified in our study, and a hybrid solution on a local and country wide scale has been proposed.
Phosphorus (P) is one of the key nutrient compounds for phytoplankton grow. In the conducted work, eutrophication indexes were used for the assessment of eutrophication level of water course (Służewiecki Stream) and the waters of nearby lakes (Bottom Berensewicz’s Pond, Wyścigi Pond, Wilanowskie Lake). Calculating eutrophication indexes were based on the most important indicators which is crucial for eutrophication process: total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), chlorophyll a (Chl(a)) and water transparency. The research revealed that the concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen in the analysed waters determined intensity of trophic processes. The average concentration of both indicators was high: 0.81 mg/l TP and 6.8 mg/l TN. During this research, two approaches were used: trophic state index (TSI) and trophic level index (TLI). TSI (TP) in Służewiecki Stream were, respectively: 83 and 6.5 whilst for standing waters (lake and ponds) 87 and 6.6. Both indexes indicated high trophic state and confirmed that eutrophication is a serious endangerment for analysed surface waters. Calculated indexes used in the assessment were sufficient and effective for sustainable water protection and management of water quality in Służewiecki Stream and in standing waters.
Excessive production of biomass, in times of intensification of agriculture and climate change, is again becoming one of the biggest environmental issues. Identification of sources and effects of this phenomenon in a river catchment in the space–time continuum has been supported by advanced environmental modules combined on a digital platform (Macromodel DNS/SWAT). This tool enabled the simulation of nutrient loads and chlorophyll “a” for the Nielba River catchment (central-western Poland) for the biomass production potential (defined here as a TN:TP ratio) analysis. Major differences have been observed between sections of the Nielba River with low biomass production in the upper part, controlled by TN:TP ratios over 65, and high chlorophyll “a” concentrations in the lower part, affected by biomass transport for the flow-through lakes. Under the long and short-term RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate change scenarios, this pattern will be emphasized. The obtained results showed that unfavorable biomass production potential will be maintained in the upper riverine sections due to a further increase in phosphorus loads induced by precipitation growth. Precipitation alone will increase biomass production, while precipitation combined with temperature can even enhance this production in the existing hot spots.
Nitrogen and phosphorus budgeting is considered to be a useful tool for policy makers and stakeholders when dealing with nutrient contamination issues. Although a variety of budgeting approaches have been employed in countries affected by this problem, the direct comparison of possible options for the same area is quite limited. The current study offers a detailed insight into the estimations of nutrient loads and their distribution between different sources for a middle-sized agricultural catchment, with the use of two approaches: mass balance method and SWAT modelling. As a result of their comparison, both methods revealed similar contributions of analysed nutrient sources, although the absolute loads were heterogeneous, which stems from drawbacks related to the quality of the monitoring data, the performance of the model and omission of some catchment processes. However, in light of the performed comparison, we suggest a hybrid solution, combining the best features of both approaches.
Currently, climate change is considered as an important factor affecting nutrient loads introduced through riverine systems into the Baltic Sea. Although the prospect of a large increase in pollution has long seemed very real, it still does not translate into planning of effective remedial actions. One of the factors limiting the development of such activities is the scale of simulations, focusing generally on catchment outlet profiles. To fill this gap and enable a step forward in understanding responses towards future predictions in a higher resolution scale (subcatchment), we assessed nutrient load contribution using calculation profiles localised along a main watercourse and its tributaries. To track spatial and seasonal changes of total nitrogen and phosphorus under short- and long-term (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) climate change scenarios we used the digital platform Macromodel DNS/SWAT. Having at our disposal a catchment model with a good performance we could follow not only total load changes in particular subcatchments, but also track localisation of the pollution sources and their direct impact on load estimations. Our results showed an increase of the loads, especially from the agricultural landuse type, up to 34% for TN and 85% for TP in the most extreme scenario. Moreover, forest areas have been noted as highly reactive to the climate changes, and through their localisation able to distinctly alter nutrient outflow. Finally, the contribution of urban areas should be further investigated since the dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus release from impervious surfaces is noticeably different here than from the other diffuse sources.
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