Identification of Critical Source Areas of Nitrogen Load in the Miyun Reservoir Watershed under Different Hydrological Conditions

Yingzhuang Guo, Xiaoyan Wang, Lili Zhou, Charles Melching and Zeqi Li
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Yingzhuang Guo: College of Resources, Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
Xiaoyan Wang: College of Resources, Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
Lili Zhou: College of Resources, Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
Charles Melching: Melching Water Solutions, 4030 W. Edgerton Avenue, Greenfield, WI 53221, USA
Zeqi Li: College of Resources, Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: The spatiotemporal distribution of critical source areas (CSAs) will change with hydrological conditions. In this study, the CSAs of nitrogen load under different hydrological conditions in the Chaohe River watershed were identified using the cumulative pollution load curve method determined from the nitrogen pollution simulated using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The results showed that: (1) The order of factors impacting nitrogen load intensity is as follows: fertilization intensity, rainfall, runoff, land use type, slope type, and soil type. (2) The primary and secondary CSAs are concentrated in the upper and lower areas of the watershed, where cultivated land (8.36%) and grassland (52.55%) are more abundant. The potential pollution source areas are concentrated in the upper and middle areas of the watershed, where cultivated land (6.99%), grassland (42.37%), and forest land (48.18%) are evenly distributed. The low-risk source areas are concentrated in the middle and left bank of the watershed, where forest land (67.65%) is dominant and the vegetation coverage is highest. The research results have significance for improving the accuracy of the implementation of best management practices, and can provide a reference for the formulation of drinking water protection policies for Beijing.

Keywords: Chaohe River watershed; nitrogen load; SWAT model; cumulative pollution load curve method; hydrological conditions; critical source area (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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