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Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds
Published on: September 26, 2017
Anthropogenic impacts on nutrient variability in the lower Yellow River
Nian Wu1, Su-Mei Liu1, Gui-Ling Zhang1
1Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China.
Nutrient levels in the Yellow River are rapidly changing. Fertilizer loss is the main source of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), while sewage is the primary source of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Ecology
Background:
- Global change and human activities are altering nutrient levels and ratios in rivers worldwide.
- The Yellow River is experiencing rapid environmental changes, making it difficult to track nutrient alterations.
- Reservoir retention has led to decreased nutrient concentrations and increased phytoplankton uptake in the lower Yellow River since 2014.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the trends of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and dissolved silicon (DSi) in the lower Yellow River from 2001 to 2018.
- To quantify nutrient fluxes from natural, anthropogenic, and social/industrial sources into the Yellow River.
- To identify key nutrient sources and propose strategies for improving water quality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of long-term monitoring data (2001-2018) for nutrient concentrations (DIN, DIP, DSi, DOP, DON).
- Quantification of nutrient fluxes from various sources including runoff, precipitation, sediment load, water recharge, fertilizer application, vegetation coverage, population urbanization, GDP, and sewage effluents.
- Statistical analysis to identify trends and major contributing factors to nutrient loads.
Main Results:
- Decreasing trends in DIN, DIP, and DSi concentrations were observed from 2001 to 2018.
- Dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) increased significantly since 2009, and annual minimum dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations also increased.
- Fertilizer loss contributed 44-48% to DIN, sewage effluents 85-88% to DIP, and runoff 35-65% to DSi.
Conclusions:
- Strict control of fertilizer use, improved application methods, enhanced sewage treatment, and promotion of green travel are recommended to reduce nutrient pollution.
- Addressing fertilizer loss and sewage effluents are critical for mitigating nutrient inputs into the Yellow River.
- The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to develop effective strategies for improving Yellow River water quality.
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