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Simulation of runoff and nutrient export from a typical small watershed in China using the Hydrological Simulation
Zhaofu Li1, Hongyu Liu, Chuan Luo
1College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China, lizhaofu@njau.edu.cn.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|December 18, 2014
Summary
The Hydrological Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF) model effectively simulated runoff and nutrient export in a Chinese watershed. HSPF is suitable for watershed management and best management practice design.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Water Quality Modeling
Background:
- The Hydrological Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF) is a U.S. EPA-developed model for hydrological and water-quality simulations.
- Understanding runoff and nutrient export is crucial for watershed management, especially in monsoon regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To employ the HSPF model for simulating runoff and nutrient export in a small, hilly watershed in China's eastern monsoon region.
- To perform parameter sensitivity analysis to understand its impact on runoff and nutrient export.
Main Methods:
- Parameter sensitivity analysis was conducted.
- The HSPF model was calibrated and validated using measured runoff and nutrient concentration data.
- Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (E NS ) and correlation coefficients were used to evaluate simulation accuracy.
Main Results:
- Yearly runoff simulation achieved E NS values of 0.87 (calibration) and 0.69 (validation).
- Total nitrogen (TN) export simulations showed E NS values of 0.58 (calibration) and 0.51 (validation), with correlation coefficients of 0.84 and 0.74, respectively.
- Phosphorus export simulations yielded high E NS values (0.89 calibration, 0.88 validation) and correlation coefficients (0.96 calibration, 0.94 validation).
Conclusions:
- The HSPF model demonstrated satisfactory performance in simulating water quantity and quality, including nutrient export.
- Despite limitations in representing spatial land cover effects, the model is suitable for watershed planning, management, and best management practice design in similar regions.
- The study provides reference parameter values for applying HSPF in similar geographical and climatic conditions.
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