Nitrogen export from an agriculture watershed in the Taihu Lake area, China

Temporal changes in nitrogen concentrations and stream discharge, as well as sediment and nitrogen losses from erosion plots with different land uses, were studied in an agricultural watershed in the Taihu Lake area in eastern China. The highest overland runoff loads and nitrogen losses were measured under the upland at a convergent footslope. Much higher runoff, sediment and nitrogen losses were observed under upland cropping and vegetable fields than that under chestnut orchard and bamboo forest. Sediment associated nitrogen losses accounted for 8-43.5% of total nitrogen export via overland runoff. N lost in dissolved inorganic nitrogen forms (NO(3-)-N + NH4+-N) accounted for less than 50% of total water associated nitrogen export. Agricultural practices and weather-driven fluctuation in discharge were main reasons for the temporal variations in nutrient losses via stream discharge. Significant correlation between the total nitrogen concentration and stream discharge load was observed. Simple regression models could give satisfactory results for prediction of the total nitrogen concentrations in stream water and can be used for better quantifying nitrogen losses from arable land. Nitrogen losses from the studied watershed via stream discharge during rice season in the year 2002 were estimated to be 10.5 kg N/ha using these simple models.     

Spatial variations in the N2O emissions and denitrification potential of riparian buffer strips in a contaminated urban river

Spatial variations in the N₂O emissions and denitrification potential of riparian buffer strips (RBS) in a polluted river were examined. The river received large pollutant inputs from urban runoff and wastewater discharge, resulting in impaired water quality in the river and downstream reservoir. The potential for nitrogen removal by RBS was evaluated by measuring in situ N₂O emission fluxes in static closed chambers and sediment denitrification potentials with acetylene inhibition techniques. The results showed that N₂O emission fluxes decreased from the upstream (16.39 μg/(m²·h)) to downstream (0.30 μg/(m²·h)) sites and from the water body to upland sites. The trend in decreasing N₂O emission fluxes in the downstream direction was mainly associated with sediment/soil textures (clay loam→sandy soil) and sediment/soil water contents and was also related to the vegetation along the RBS and nutrients in the sediments/soils. The correlation coefficient was highest (r=0.769) between the N₂O emission flux and sediment/soil water content. Sediment/soil denitrification potentials under N-amended and ambient conditions were higher (highest 32.86 mg/(kg·h)) for the upstream sites, which were consistent with in situ N₂O flux rates.     

紫色土小流域土壤及氮磷流失特征研究

紫色土区土壤及其养分流失对长江水环境产生严重威胁。然而,有关该地区自然降雨侵蚀下土壤及氮磷流失规律的研究却较为少见。以紫色土农田利用为主小流域为研究对象,监测自然降雨侵蚀下土壤及其氮磷的流失过程,以期服务于流域尺度土壤及养分流失的模拟与控制。结果表明,次降雨径流含沙量与流量的变化基本同步,峰值含沙量往往出现在峰值流量处或略有提前,此后,含沙量迅速降低。硝态氮流失浓度与流量的变化成反比,峰值流量处流失浓度一般达到最低,此后,随着流量的降低,其流失浓度存在较为明显的升高过程。铵态氮与水溶性磷的流失表现为剧烈波动的变化特征。氮素流失的主要形态是硝态氮,其占到次降雨无机氮流失总量的88%～97%。     

长三角城郊樟溪流域水体氮磷分布特征及其影响因素

快速城镇化和人类活动导致城郊流域水体营养盐污染和富营养化问题加重,识别氮、磷污染对流域水质的管控具有重要的意义。本研究选取长三角典型城郊地区宁波樟溪流域,在流域内根据土地利用类型、地形特征等布设样点,于2016年连续4个季度进行水样采集,研究樟溪流域河流水体氮、磷的含量及形态,及氮、磷在该流域的时空分布特征,并对其来源和影响因素进行分析。研究结果表明,流域内氮、磷分布具有较大的空间差异性,其中NH+4-N(n.d.~1.375 mg·L~(-1))、TN-N(0.570~11.363 mg·L~(-1))、DIP(n.d.~0.169 mg·L~(-1))、TP(0.010~1.908 mg·L~(-1))。在子流域空间分布上,人类活动频度越高的区域氮、磷的浓度越高,各采样点水体不同形态氮含量和磷含量具有明显的季节变化规律:春季和秋季的含量要高于夏季和冬季。本研究选取采样点距城镇距离、距源头距离以及土地利用类型所占采样点缓冲区的比例来表征人类活动的影响,结果表明,TN和TP含量与距城镇距离呈显著负相关关系,表明城镇化水平对流域氮、磷污染的重要影响。另外,典型城郊流域河流水体氮、磷污染主要受土地利用类型的影响,其含量与农业和城镇用地呈显著正相关关系(P0.01),其含量随人类活动频度的增加而升高。     

皖南低山丘陵地区流域氮磷径流输出特征

通过对安徽南部宣城地区梅村小流域的定位监测,研究了该小流域地表径流中氮磷输出特征。结果表明:氮输出以NO-3N为主,占氮素输出总量的60%,磷输出以悬浮颗粒结合态磷(PAP)为主,占磷输出总量的92%;各类形态氮素输出量间存在极显著线性正相关关系;PAP随悬浮颗粒输出量的增加而增加,PAP与水溶性磷(DP)输出量间存在着极显著的对数关系;氮磷输出具有明显的季节性变化规律,夏季输出量最大,其次是春季,再次是秋季,冬季最少,这是由降雨量的季节性变化所引起的。而且暴雨对氮磷输出的贡献率极大,因此控制雨季土壤侵蚀是有效控制氮磷通过径流输出的最重要方式。     

Forest to reclaimed mine land use change leads to altered ecosystem structure and function.

The United States' use of coal results in many environmental alterations. In the Appalachian coal belt region, one widespread alteration is conversion of forest to reclaimed mineland. The goal of this study was to quantify the changes to ecosystem structure and function associated with a conversion from forest to reclaimed mine grassland by comparing a small watershed containing a 15-year-old reclaimed mine with a forested, reference watershed in western Maryland. Major differences were apparent between the two watersheds in terms of biogeochemistry. Total C, N, and P pools were all substantially lower at the mined site, mainly due to the removal of woody biomass but also, in the case of P, to reductions in soil pools. Mineral soil C, N, and P pools were 96%, 79%, and 69% of native soils, respectively. Although annual runoff from the watersheds was similar, the mined watershed exhibited taller, narrower storm peaks as a result of a higher soil bulk density and decreased infiltration rates. Stream export of N was much lower in the mined watershed due to lower net nitrification rates and nitrate concentrations in soil. However, stream export of sediment and P and summer stream temperature were much higher. Stream leaf decomposition was reduced and macroinvertebrate community structure was altered as a result of these changes to the stream environment. This land use change leads to substantial, long-term changes in ecosystem capital and function.     

模拟降雨条件下农田径流中氮的流失过程

在室内降雨模拟试验条件下，研究暴雨径流中农田氮素养分流失及施肥处理的影响。结果表明，农田暴雨径流氮养分的流失量与累积径流量成正相关；施用NH     

稻麦轮作田氮素径流流失特征初步研究

针对近年来氮素化肥施用量大而利用率较低现状，在江苏太湖地区设计田间试验，研究稻麦轮作田全年氮素流失特征。结果表明，在本试验条件下稻季和麦季径流中氮损失量相近，麦季略高，约占施氮量的2％左右。麦稻轮作田径流氮损失中氨态氮较少，以硝态氮和其他形态氮为主，其中氨态氮损失以稻季为主，硝态氮损失稻季和麦季相近，其他形态氮损失麦季较多。不同作物田径流氮组成存在差异，麦季径流氮以硝态氮和其他形态氮为主，氨态氮极少，而稻季在施肥后短时间内径流氮中氨态氮、硝态氮和其他形态氮大致相当，其他时间以硝态氮和其他形态氮为主。     

Soil Quality Evolution After Land Use Change From Paddy Soil to Vegetable Land

A survey was done in 15 typical villages, 150 soil and 86 vegetable plant samples were taken in Jiaxin prefecture of the Taihu Lake region, northern Zhejian province. Results indicate that after 15–20 years land use changed from the paddy rice–wheat (or oilseed rape) double cropping system, to a continuous vegetable land has caused soil quality dramatic change. (1) Acidification: average soil pH was 5.4; about 61% of total samples were pH < 5.5. It was 0.9 units lower than 10 years ago with same upland vegetable cultivation and was 1.2 units lower than soil pH of paddy rice–wheat (or oilseed rape) rotation. (2) Fertilizer salt accumulation: the average salt content was 0.28%, among these about 36.2% of the total samples contained more than 0.3%. (3) Nitrate N and available phosphorus (P) over accumulation: on average it was 279 mg NO₃-N/kg, and 45–115 mg P/kg. Nitrate N four times higher and available P 4–10 times more than it is in present paddy rice–wheat rotation soils respectively. This has caused wide concern because of possible groundwater and well drinking water pollution by leached nitrate N and the P losses to water by runoff from vegetable lands induce surface water eutrophication.     

Effect of streambed bacteria release on E. coli concentrations: Monitoring and modeling with the modified SWAT

Streambed sediment has been attracting attention as a reservoir for bacteria, including pathogenic strains. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) has been augmented with a bacteria transport subroutine in SWAT2005 in which bacteria die-off is the only in-stream process. The purpose of this study was to develop the partial model of sediment-associated bacteria transport in stream and to evaluate the potential significance of streambed Escherichia coli (E. coli) release and deposition within the SWAT microbial water quality simulations. Streambed E. coli release and deposition were simulated based on the sediment resuspension and deposition modules in SWAT. The modified SWAT was applied to the Little Cove Creek watershed, Pennsylvania, which has forestry and dairy pasture landuses. Temporal changes in sediment E. coli concentrations were derived from monitoring data rather than from a streambed bacteria population model. Sensitivity analyses and calibrations were separately conducted for both hydrologic and bacteria parameters. Hydrologic calibration characterized soils in the watershed as pervious and thus the surface runoff was only moderately contributing to the streamflow. However, the surface runoff carried large numbers of E. coli to the stream, and sediment resuspension contributed to the persistent concentration of E. coli in stream water. Although the uncertainty of E. coli concentrations in streambed sediments and from wildlife probably affected the performance of the modified SWAT model, this study qualitatively confirmed the significance of modeling E. coli release from streambed and deposition for the SWAT microbial water quality simulations. Further developments should include modeling dynamics of bacteria populations within streambeds.     

Modelling the effects of land-use modifications to control nutrient loads from an agricultural catchment in Western Australia

The estuary of the Swan and Canning Rivers in Western Australia is becoming increasingly prone to algal blooms, fish deaths and other biochemical problems that are thought to be associated with increasing eutrophication. Phosphorus and nitrogen enrichment are seen as the two most common causes of such eutrophication, with both elements being transported in streamflow and with concentrations strongly dependent upon land-use in the catchment. Many of the efforts to prevent and control eutrophication in the estuary are focused on managing land-use within the catchment. In this paper, the large-scale catchment model (LASCAM) is applied to Ellen Brook, a rural catchment located within the Swan River catchment, to simulate catchment exports of phosphorus and nitrogen, under a range of land cover scenarios that are designed to control the eutrophication. The scenarios, which are related to different management options for the catchment, are: (i) reforestation of agricultural land; (ii) reduction in fertiliser application; and (iii) urbanisation following a highway development. The model results show that: (i) full reforestation of agricultural land is expected to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen export by 50 and 85%, respectively; (ii) a proportionally greater reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen export occurs for smaller areas of reforestation than for larger areas; (iii) reduction in phosphorus fertiliser application produces a linear response with respect to phosphorus export; (iv) urbanisation increases runoff due to the larger impermeable areas causing an increase of overland flow during storms; and (v) phosphorus and nitrogen loads are expected to increase about 4 and 12%, respectively, during the 10 years following urbanisation.     

15N-Nitrate signature in low-order streams: effects of land cover and agricultural practices.

Many studies have shown that intensive agricultural practices significantly increase the nitrogen concentration of stream surface waters, but it remains difficult to identify, quantify, and differentiate between terrestrial and in-stream sources or sinks of nitrogen, and rates of transformation. In this study we used the delta15N-NO3 signature in a watershed dominated by agriculture as an integrating marker to trace (1) the effects of the land cover and agricultural practices on stream-water N concentration in the upstream area of the hydrographic network, (2) influence of the in-stream processes on the NO3-N loads at the reach scale (100 m and 1000 m long), and (3) changes in delta15N-NO3 signature with increasing stream order (from first to third order). This study suggests that land cover and fertilization practices were the major determinants of delta15N-NO3 signature in first-order streams. NO3-N loads and delta15N-NO3 signature increased with fertilization intensity. Small changes in delta15N-NO3 signature and minor inputs of groundwater were observed along both types of reaches, suggesting the NO3-N load was slightly influenced by in-stream processes. The variability of NO3-N concentrations and delta15N signature decreased with increasing stream order, and the delta15N signature was positively correlated with watershed areas devoted to crops, supporting a dominant effect of agriculture compared to the effect of in-stream N processing. Consequently, land cover and fertilization practices are integrated in the natural isotopic signal at the third-order stream scale. The GIS analysis of the land cover coupled with natural-abundance isotope signature (delta15N) represents a potential tool to evaluate the effects of agricultural practices in rural catchments and the consequences of future changes in management policies at the regional scale.     

Hierarchical regulation of nitrogen export from urban catchments: interactions of storms and landscapes.

In urban catchments of arid central Arizona, we investigate how the export of mineral and organic nitrogen (N) in storm runoff is regulated by interactions between local landscape characteristics and broader scale storm features. First, we test whether N export is more a function of (1) processes that affect N concentration in runoff or (2) the propensity of the catchment to convey rainfall as runoff. With data pooled across catchments, the mass of N in export (load) is determined by processes regulating runoff N concentration. There are exceptions when catchments are examined individually, where N load from some catchments is determined by the hydrologic responsiveness of the catchment. Second, we investigate the relationship between N export and catchment features. Loads per catchment area were greater from more impervious catchments, probably because impervious catchments held more N in a mobilizable phase and conveyed more rainfall as overland flow. Loads per area were lower from larger catchments, possibly owing to more N-retention hot spots in larger catchments. Catchments with the greatest N exports were those with commercial land use, and loads decreased as development became less prevalent or as residential replaced industrial land use. Third, we investigated how catchment features moderated direct responses of N export to storms. Export was less correlated with storm features in catchments that were larger, more pervious, and less industrial. Results support an "N build and flush" hypothesis, which purports that there is little biotic processing of N deposited to arid, urban surfaces with little organic matter. The rate and duration of deposition determine the size of the mobile N pool. Any amount of rainfall capable of generating overland flow would entrain nearly all mobilizable N and export it from the catchment. Nonetheless, these results suggest that, even with daunting seasonal and interannual variability in storm conditions, material export can be reduced by managing intrinsic catchment features.     

Effects of La3+, Ce3+ on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactor

Batch experiments were conducted to study the short-term biological effects of rare earth ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺) and their mixture on the nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The data showed that higher NH₄ ⁺-N removal rate, total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency, and denitrification efficiency were achieved at lower concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) (<1 mg/L). In the first hour of the aeration stage of SBR, the presence of REEs increased the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and NH₄ ⁺-N removal efficiency by 15.7% and 10%–15%, respectively. When the concentrations of REEs were higher than 1 mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency decreased, and nitrate was found to accumulate in the effluent. When the concentrations of REEs was up to 50.0 mg/L, the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency was less than 30% of the control efficiency with a high level of nitrate. Lower concentrations of REEs were found to accelerate the nitrogen conversion and removal in SBR.     

Nitrogen exchange between a southeastern USA salt marsh ecosystem and the coastal ocean

The salt marsh ecosystem at North Inlet, South Carolina, USA consistently exported dissolved inorganic nitrogen via tidal exchange with the coastal Atlantic Ocean. Concentrations centrations of NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ^- +NO ₂ ^- displayed distinct tidal patterns with rising values during ebb flow. These patterns suggest the importance of biogeochemical processes in the flux of material from the salt marsh. NH ₄ ⁺ export peaked during the summer (15 to 20 mg m^-2 tide^-1) during a net balance of tidal water exchange. Remineralization of NH ₄ ⁺ within the salt marsh system appears to be contributing to the estimated annual net export of bout 4.7 g NH ₄ ⁺ -N m^-2 yr^-1. NO ₃ ^- +NO ₂ ^- exports were higher in the fall and winter of 1979 (2 to 4 mg N m^-2 tide^-1). The winter export coincided with a considerable net export of water with no distinctive concentration patterns, suggesting a simple advective export. However, the fall peak of NO ₃ ^- +NO ₂ ^- export occurred during a period of net water balance in tidal exchange and an insignificant freshwater input from the western, forested boundary. During the summer and fall, tidal concentration patterns were particularly apparent, suggesting that nitrification within the salt marsh system was contributing to the estimated annual net export of ca 0.6 g NO ₃ ^- +NO ₂ ^- -N m^-2 yr^-1.Contribution No. 637 from the Belle W. Baruch Institute of Marine Biology and Coastal Research     

Examining the coupling of carbon and nitrogen cycles in Appalachian streams: the role of dissolved organic nitrogen

Although regional and global models of nitrogen (N) cycling typically focus on nitrate, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) is the dominant form of nitrogen export from many watersheds and thus the dominant form of dissolved N in many streams. Our understanding of the processes controlling DON export from temperate forests is poor. In pristine systems, where biological N limitation is common, N contained in recalcitrant organic matter (OM) can dominate watershed N losses. This recalcitrant OM often has moderately constrained carbon:nitrogen (C:N) molar ratios (approximately 25-55) and therefore, greater DON losses should be observed in sites where there is greater total dissolved organic carbon (DOC) loss. In regions where anthropogenic N pollution is high, it has been suggested that increased inorganic N availability can reduce biological demand for organic N and therefore increase watershed DON losses. This would result in a positive correlation between inorganic and organic N concentrations across sites with varying N availability. In four repeated synoptic surveys of stream water chemistry from forested watersheds along an N loading gradient in the southern Appalachians, we found surprisingly little correlation between DON and DOC concentrations. Further, we found that DON concentrations were always significantly correlated with watershed N loading and stream water [NO3-] but that the direction of this relationship was negative in three of the four surveys. The C:N molar ratio of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in streams draining watersheds with high N deposition was very high relative to other freshwaters. This finding, together with results from bioavailability assays in which we directly manipulated C and N availabilities, suggests that heterotrophic demand for labile C can increase as a result of dissolved inorganic N (DIN) loading, and that heterotrophs can preferentially remove N-rich molecules from DOM. These results are inconsistent with the two prevailing hypotheses that dominate interpretations of watershed DON loss. Therefore, we propose a new hypothesis, the indirect carbon control hypothesis, which recognizes that heterotrophic demand for N-rich DOM can keep stream water DON concentrations low when N is not limiting and heterotrophic demand for labile C is high.     

Influences of Suspended Particles on the Runoff of Pesticides from an Agricultural Field at Askim, SE-Norway

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the loss of particles from agricultural fields, and the role of suspended particles in carrying pesticides in surface runoff and drainage water. Propiconazole, a widely used fungicide was applied to experimental fields located at Askim, SE-Norway. Samples from surface runoff and drainage water were collected and analyzed for sediment mass, pesticides, particulate and dissolved organic carbon through a whole year. The surface soil and the runoff material were characterized by its particle size distribution, organic carbon content in size fractions and its ability to bind propiconazole. The results show that (1) particle runoff mostly occurred during the rainfall event shortly after harrowing in autumn. The highest particle concentration observed in the surface runoff water was 4600 mg l^–1, and in the drainage water 1130 mg l^–1; (2) the erosion of surface soil is size selective. The runoff sediment contained finer particle/aggregates rich in organic matter compared to its original surface soil; (3) the distribution coefficient (K _d) of propiconazole was significantly higher in the runoff sediment than in the parent soil. According to our calculation, particle-bound propiconazole can represent up to 23% of the total amount of propiconazole in a water sample with a sediment concentration of 7600 mg l^–1, which will significantly influence the transport behavior of the pesticide.     

Assessing stream restoration effectiveness at reducing nitrogen export to downstream waters

The degradation of headwater streams is common in urbanized coastal areas, and the role these streams play in contributing to downstream pollution is a concern among natural resource managers and policy makers. Thus, many urban stream restoration efforts are increasingly focused on reducing the downstream flux of pollutants. In regions that suffer from coastal eutrophication, it is unclear whether stream restoration does in fact reduce nitrogen (N) flux to downstream waters and, if so, by how much and at what cost. In this paper, we evaluate whether stream restoration implemented to improve water quality of urban and suburban streams in the Chesapeake Bay region, USA, is effective at reducing the export of N in stream flow to downstream waters. We assessed the effectiveness of restored streams positioned in the upland vs. lowland regions of Coastal Plain watershed during both average and stormflow conditions. We found that, during periods of low discharge, lowland streams that receive minor N inputs from groundwater or bank seepage reduced in-stream N fluxes. Furthermore, lowland streams with the highest N concentrations and lowest discharge were the most effective. During periods of high flow, only those restoration projects that converted lowland streams to stream-wetland complexes seemed to be effective at reducing N fluxes, presumably because the design promoted the spillover of stream flow onto adjacent floodplains and wetlands. The observed N-removal rates were relatively high for stream ecosystems, and on the order of 5% of the inputs to the watershed. The dominant forms of N entering restored reaches varied during low and high flows, indicating that N uptake and retention were controlled by distinctive processes during different hydrological conditions. Therefore, in order for stream restoration to effectively reduce N fluxes exported to downstream waters, restoration design should include features that enhance the processing and retention of different forms of N, and for a wide range of flow conditions. The use of strategic designs that match the dominant attributes of a stream such as position in the watershed, influence of groundwater, dominant flow conditions, and N concentrations is crucial to assure the success of restoration.     

皖南丘陵地区小流域氮素径流输出的动态变化

以亚热带北部皖南丘陵地区小流域定位实地观测为基础 ,研究了农林共存小流域氮素径流输出规律。发现小流域氮素径流输出季节性变化明显。降雨和施肥是影响这一变化的重要因子 ,模拟分析表明 ,它们与氮素输出之间具有很好的线性相关关系     

秸秆还田对农田周年地表径流氮、磷、钾流失的影响

2009—2010年在大田试验条件下,小麦季和水稻季分别以扬麦16和运2645为供试材料,两季均设置常规处理（A）、秸秆还田（B）、秸秆还田减肥（C）、肥料运筹（D）和少免耕（E）5个处理组合。研究不同处理对稻麦两熟制农田周年地表径流氮、磷、钾流失的影响。结果表明：（1）稻麦两季农田共发生地表径流20次,总地表径流水量为6.4×106kg·hm-2;（2）秸秆还田能够显著降低稻麦两熟制农田周年地表径流氮、磷、钾流失量,不同处理周年地表径流总氮和钾的流失量由高到低均依次为少免耕、常规处理、肥料运筹、秸秆还田和秸秆还田减肥,不同处理周年地表径流总磷流失量由高到低依次为少免耕、肥料运筹、常规处理、秸秆还田和秸秆还田减肥,秸秆还田使稻麦两熟制农田地表径流氮、磷、钾流失量分别比常规处理下降7.7%、8.0%、6.8%;（3）水稻季农田地表径流总氮、总磷、钾流失量分别占稻麦两熟制周年总氮、总磷、钾流失量的61.5%、44.0%、73.3%;（4）秸秆还田使稻麦两熟制农田周年地表径流氮、磷、钾流失率显著降低;（5）秸秆还田使水稻成熟期土壤速效养分质量分数显著提高;（6）秸秆还田使稻麦两熟制农田周年作物产量比常规处理略有增加。