Impact of Water-Sediment Regulation Operation on Nitrogen Concentration, Transformation and Sources in the Lower Yellow River
Yanli Li,
Kaiyang Gao,
Lei Cheng () and
Shihang Ren
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Yanli Li: State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
Kaiyang Gao: Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
Lei Cheng: State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
Shihang Ren: Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-19
Abstract:
The Yellow River (YR) has the highest suspended sediment concentration in the world, with its water and sediment exerting a significant influence on nutrient transport and transformation processes. The periodic regulation of water and sediment by the Xiaolangdi Dam, has significantly altered downstream water and sediment transport. This study examined the impact of the Xiaolangdi Dam’s 2023 water-sediment regulation on nitrogen dynamics in the lower Yellow River (LYR). Surface water, suspended sediment, and deposited sediment samples were collected at seven downstream stations to analyze changes in nitrogen concentration, sources, and transformation processes. As the water regulation stage progresses, the (total nitrogen) TN concentration in the water phase decreased, while that of NO 3 - -N increased slightly. Concurrently, the inorganic nitrogen concentration in the suspended phase also declined. As the sediment regulation stage progresses, the TN and NO 3 − -N concentrations in the water phase continued to decrease, while the inorganic nitrogen concentration in the suspended phase showed an initial increase followed by a decrease. As the early stage of sediment regulation progresses, ammonia concentrations decreased, while nitrate concentrations increased and δ 18 O-NO 3 − value decreased indicated nitrification occurred. As the late stage of sediment regulation progresses, nitrate concentrations decreased and the δ 15 N-NO 3 − value increased, indicated denitrification occurred. The TN flux during water-sediment regulation reaches 41.5 kt (14.6% of the annual flux). During the water-sediment regulation stage, the main nitrate sources were manure and sewage. This contribution peaked at 54.2% during the sediment regulation stage. The research results provide a scientific basis for the relationship between water and sediment changes and nitrogen output changes in the LYR.
Keywords: Yellow River; water-sediment regulation; nitrate; stable isotopes; nitrogen flux (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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