Natural and anthropogenic controls on nutrient fluxes in two small rivers draining contrasting climate gradients across Southern Western Ghats, India
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Nutrient levels in Western Ghats rivers like the Bhavani and Thuthapuzha vary significantly by season and location. Land use and monsoon rains are key factors influencing Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN), Dissolved Inorganic Phosphate (DIP), and Dissolved Silica (DSi) concentrations.
Area Of Science
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Ecology
Background
- The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot and vital water source in India, feature rivers shaped by varied climatic, geological, and land-use conditions.
- Understanding nutrient dynamics in these rivers is crucial for managing water resources and ecosystems.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the spatiotemporal variations of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN), Dissolved Inorganic Phosphate (DIP), and Dissolved Silica (DSi) in the Bhavani and Thuthapuzha rivers.
- To identify the primary drivers, including climate, land use, and anthropogenic pressures, controlling nutrient fluxes in these tropical river systems.
Main Methods
- Collected 150 water samples across different seasons and zones in the Bhavani and Thuthapuzha rivers.
- Analyzed concentrations of DIN, DIP, and DSi to assess nutrient fluxes.
- Correlated nutrient levels with climatic data, land-use patterns, and seasonal variations.
Main Results
- Significant spatial and seasonal differences in nutrient concentrations were observed.
- Bhavani river showed higher mean DIN (up to 1432.14 µg/l in monsoon) and DSi (6.83–8.73 mg/l) compared to Thuthapuzha.
- Nutrient levels in Bhavani increased downstream due to agriculture and wastewater; Thuthapuzha showed enrichment in high land-use areas.
- Monsoonal runoff significantly elevated DIN and DIP; higher DSi linked to silicate weathering and erosion in cultivated zones.
Conclusions
- Climate, land use, and human activities are critical in regulating nutrient fluxes in tropical rivers.
- Long-term trends indicate increasing nutrient inputs, likely from fertilizer use.
- Integrated watershed management is essential for the rapidly changing catchments of the Western Ghats.
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