Control of diffuse P-pollutants by multiple buffer/detention structures by Yuqiao Reservoir, North China

A case study on the transport process of agricultural diffuse P-pollutants was conducted in an experimental watershed locating in the north bank of Yuqiao Reservoir during 2001 and 2002. It was found that diversified artificial and natural buffer/detention landscape structures distributing along the ephemeral stream channel in this watershed played an important role of pollutants removal on downstream water quality, especially they have control effect on the diffuse P-pollutants transport process. Surface flow velocity was reduced sharply after passing through these structures. During continuous runoff events, the removal rate of TSS, TP, TDP, DRP by the whole system were 66.7%, 60.7%, 48.4%, and 43.3%, respectively. During discontinuous runoff events, removal rate of pollutants by the whole system was higher due to there was no or little surface water and pollutants exported from the watershed, of which removal rate of pollutants all exceeded 99% . The statistical analysis results of runoff events (n = 8) indicated that dry pond was the steadiest structure for controlling diffuse P-pollutants export.