Reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus loads to European rivers by riparian buffer zones

Abstract

Key-words:Riparian buffer zone, nutrient load reduction, buffer capacity, buffer permeability Riparian buffer zones play an important role as nutrient pollution controls for rivers. We provide a harmonized, explorative quantitative and spatially explicit continental assessment of nitrogen and phosphorus potential retention in riparian buffer zones along the European river network CCM2 (Catchment Characterization and Modellling). Diffuse emissions of nutrients from fertilized cropland and pasture, based on a statistical model (GREEN (Geospatial Regression Equation for European Nutrient Losses)), are partitioned into surface and subsurface flow pathways based on the innovative SUGAR (Surface water/Groundwatercontribution index) index. Surface flow N and P emissions are assumed to undergo attenuation as a function of riparian buffer width. In contrast, the attenuation of subsurface flow emissions and emissions from wetlands is assumed to be independent of buffer width. Buffer attenuation follows a nutrient-specific negative exponential decay function. For the study area, we estimate retention in surface runoff emissions of 33% for nitrogen and 65% for phosphorus. The results represent a valuable data source for water basin management with respect to water quality improvement, in particular buffer zone restoration. RÉSUMÉ Réduction des charges d'azote et de phosphore dans les rivières européennes par les zones tampons riveraines Mots-clés :Zone tampon riveraine, réduction de la charge en éléments nutritifs, capacité tampon, perméabilité de zone tampon Les zones tampons riveraines jouent un rôle important dans la régulation de la pollution en éléments nutritifs pour les cours d'eau. Nous proposons une éva-luation harmonisée, exploratoire quantitativement et spatialement explicite de la rétention potentielle d'azote et de phosphore dans les zones tampons riveraines le long du réseau fluvial européen CCM2. Les émissions diffuses de nutriments provenant des terres cultivées fertilisées et des pâturages, basées sur un modèle statistique (GREEN), sont réparties en écoulements de surface et souterrain, voies basées sur l'indice novateur SUGAR. Les émissions de surface de N et de P sont supposées subir une atténuation en fonction de la largeur de la bande riveraine. En revanche, l'atténuation des émissions de flux de subsurface et les émissions des zones humides est supposée être indépendante de la largeur du tampon. L'atténuation dans la zone tampon suit une fonction négative de décroissance exponentielle spécifique du nutriment. Pour la zone d'étude, nous estimons la rétention des émissions de ruissellement à 33 % pour l'azote et 65 % pour le phosphore.

Influence of invasiveAcer negundoleaf litter on benthic microbial abundance and activity in the littoral zone of a temperate river in Lithuania

“…Riparian forest strips play an important role in regulating anthropogenic nutrient transport into water body (Weissteiner et al, 2013). Although riparian vegetation acts as a filter reducing input from surroundings, it subsidizes aquatic systems with organic matter (Graça and Canhoto, 2006) and may have a negative impact due to the acceleration of littoral bioproductivity.…”

Flood Risk Reduction from Agricultural Best Management Practices

“…Previous studies have largely focused on assessment of BMP performance in reducing nutrient and sediment loss and the subsequent impacts on water quality (Parajuli et al 2013;Weissteiner et al 2013;Kladivko et al 2014;Yeo et al 2014;McLellan et al 2015;King et al 2016;Merriman et al 2018) (see also study reviews in Hashemi et al 2016;Liu et al 2017). Previous studies have largely focused on assessment of BMP performance in reducing nutrient and sediment loss and the subsequent impacts on water quality (Parajuli et al 2013;Weissteiner et al 2013;Kladivko et al 2014;Yeo et al 2014;McLellan et al 2015;King et al 2016;Merriman et al 2018) (see also study reviews in Hashemi et al 2016;Liu et al 2017).…”

“…Assessing benefits of agricultural BMPs is challenging due to the multiple impacts on hydrology, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and other processes. Previous studies have largely focused on assessment of BMP performance in reducing nutrient and sediment loss and the subsequent impacts on water quality (Parajuli et al 2013;Weissteiner et al 2013;Kladivko et al 2014;Yeo et al 2014;McLellan et al 2015;King et al 2016;Merriman et al 2018) (see also study reviews in Hashemi et al 2016;Liu et al 2017). BMPs that slow runoff are effective in reducing sediment detachment and transport (Bosch et al 2013;Mitchell et al 2018), although effectiveness can vary depending on watersheds characteristics, BMPs location, and storm magnitude.…”

The use of remote sensing to characterise hydromorphological properties of European rivers

“…This type of analysis offers the possibility of expanding the assessment of riparian zone vegetation to the entire Flanders region, which was completely mapped in 2014 with aerial LIDAR (13.000 km). Also, average riparian corridor width has been calculated across Europe by Weissteiner et al (2013) from Landsat ETM+ imagery and the ASTER DEM based on an improved riparian area detection model (Clerici et al 2013). The estimated riparian corridor width was used to assess the buffering capacity of riparian areas for nutrients and pesticides (Weissteiner et al , 2014.…”