Assessment of Long-Term Watershed Management on Reservoir Phosphorus Concentrations and Export Fluxes

Xiaolin Huang, Han Chen, Fang Xia, Zhenfeng Wang, Kun Mei, Xu Shang, Yuanyuan Liu, Randy A. Dahlgren, Minghua Zhang and Hong Huang
Additional contact information
Xiaolin Huang: Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou 325035, China
Han Chen: School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Fang Xia: School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Zhenfeng Wang: School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Kun Mei: School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Xu Shang: School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Yuanyuan Liu: School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Randy A. Dahlgren: Southern Zhejiang Water Research Institute (iWATER), Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Minghua Zhang: Southern Zhejiang Water Research Institute (iWATER), Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Hong Huang: School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: Source water nutrient management to prevent eutrophication requires critical strategies to reduce watershed phosphorus (P) loadings. Shanxi Drinking-Water Source Area (SDWSA) in eastern China experienced severe water quality deterioration before 2010, but showed considerable improvement following application of several watershed management actions to reduce P. This paper assessed the changes in total phosphorus (TP) concentrations and fluxes at the SDWSA outlet relative to watershed anthropogenic P sources during 2005–2016. Overall anthropogenic P inputs decreased by 21.5% over the study period. Domestic sewage, livestock, and fertilizer accounted for (mean ± SD) 18.4 ± 0.6%, 30.1 ± 1.9%, and 51.5 ± 1.5% of total anthropogenic P inputs during 2005–2010, compared to 24.3 ± 2.7%, 8.8 ± 10.7%, and 66.9 ± 8.0% for the 2011–2016 period, respectively. Annual average TP concentrations in SDWSA decreased from 0.041 ± 0.019 mg/L in 2009 to 0.025 ± 0.013 mg/L in 2016, a total decrease of 38.2%. Annual P flux exported from SDWSA decreased from 0.46 ± 0.04 kg P/(ha·a) in 2010 to 0.25 ± 0.02 kg P/(ha·a) in 2016, a decrease of 44.9%. The success in reducing TP concentrations was mainly due to the development of domestic sewage/refuse collection/treatment and improved livestock management. These P management practices have prevented harmful algal blooms, providing for safe drinking water.

Keywords: phosphorus; concentration; reservoir; anthropogenic sources; watershed management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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