Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Nitrogen Budgets under Anthropogenic Activities in Metropolitan Areas

Ning Ding, Jingfeng Zhu, Xiao Li and Xiangrong Wang
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Ning Ding: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
Jingfeng Zhu: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
Xiao Li: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
Xiangrong Wang: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: The rapid growth of metropolitan regions is closely associated with high nitrogen (N) flows, which is known as the most important reason for widespread water pollution. It is, therefore, crucial to explore the spatiotemporal patterns of N budgets under intensive human activity. In this study, we estimated the long-term (2000–2015) N budgets by integrating the net anthropogenic nitrogen input (NANI) and the export coefficient model (ECM) in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA), a typical metropolitan area with strong human disturbances. The results revealed that the NANI decreased by 10% from 2000 to 2015, while N exports showed a 6% increase. Hotspots for N budgets were found in the northeastern areas, where cropland and construction land were dominant. The linear regression showed a close relationship between the NANI and N export, and about 18% of the NANI was exported into the river system. By revealing the critical sources and drivers of N budgets over time, our work aimed to provide effective information for regional policy on nitrogen management. Future strategies, such as improving the fertilizer efficiency, optimizing the land use pattern, and controlling the population density, are necessary in order to address the environmental challenge concerns of excessive N.

Keywords: anthropogenic activities; net anthropogenic nitrogen input; export coefficient model; Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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