Application of Export Coefficient Model and QUAL2K for Water Environmental Management in a Rural Watershed

Zhuohang Xin, Lei Ye and Chi Zhang
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Zhuohang Xin: School of Hydraulic Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Lei Ye: School of Hydraulic Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Chi Zhang: School of Hydraulic Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: Water quality deterioration caused by excessive nutrient discharge from various point and non-point sources are a global challenge. Understanding the pollution sources and their respective contribution is the prerequisite for environmental planning, management and restoration. In this study, the influence of complex pollution sources on the water quality of the Dengsha River watershed in Dalian, China, was investigated. The export coefficient method was coupled with the QUAL2K water quality model to estimate the loads of ammonia nitrogen (NH 4 -N) and total phosphorus (TP) from different sources, and to explore their respective contributions. Results indicated that animal feedlot and crop production were major sources for NH 4 -N load, and crop production, soil erosion and animal feedlot are the largest three sources of TP load with an annual total contribution of 98.4%. The pollutant load exhibited an intra-annual variation mainly due to the seasonality of rainfall and anthropogenic agricultural activities. The overall waste assimilation capacity (WAC) is overloaded and suggestions for water pollution control and treatment regarding each pollution source were proposed. This study addressed a new application of QUAL2K model coupled with the export coefficient model for watershed managers towards a sustainable water environmental management, and can therefore be a reference example for other small and medium-sized rural watersheds.

Keywords: water quality deterioration; export coefficient model; QUAL2K; water environment governance; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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