Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.03.023
Document accepted manuscript
Title (Primary) Non-domestic phosphorus release in rivers during low-flow: Mechanisms and implications for sources identification
Author Dupas, R.; Tittel, J.; Jordan, P.; Musolff, A.; Rode, M.
Source Titel Journal of Hydrology
Year 2018
Department ASAM; SEEFO; HDG
Volume 560
Page From 141
Page To 149
Language englisch
Supplements https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0022169418301896-mmc1.docx
Keywords Soluble reactive phosphorus; iron; redox processes; catchment; point source; load apportionment
UFZ wide themes RU2;
Abstract A common assumption in phosphorus (P) load apportionment studies is that P loads in rivers consist of flow independent point source emissions (mainly from domestic and industrial origins) and flow dependent diffuse source emissions (mainly from agricultural origin). Hence, rivers dominated by point sources will exhibit highest P concentration during low-flow, when flow dilution capacity is minimal, whereas rivers dominated by diffuse sources will exhibit highest P concentration during high-flow, when land-to-river hydrological connectivity is maximal. Here, we show that Soluble Reactive P (SRP) concentrations in three forested catchments free of point sources exhibited seasonal maxima during the summer low-flow period, i.e. a pattern expected in point source dominated areas. A load apportionment model (LAM) is used to show how point sources contribution may have been overestimated in previous studies, because of a biogeochemical process mimicking a point source signal. Almost twenty-two years (March 1995 – September 2016) of monthly monitoring data of SRP, dissolved iron (Fe) and nitrate-N (NO3) were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms: SRP and Fe exhibited similar seasonal patterns and opposite to that of NO3. We hypothesise that Fe oxyhydroxide reductive dissolution might be the cause of SRP release during the summer period, and that NO3 might act as a redox buffer, controlling the seasonality of SRP release. We conclude that LAMs may overestimate the contribution of P point sources, especially during the summer low-flow period, when eutrophication risk is maximal.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=20038
Dupas, R., Tittel, J., Jordan, P., Musolff, A., Rode, M. (2018):
Non-domestic phosphorus release in rivers during low-flow: Mechanisms and implications for sources identification
J. Hydrol. 560 , 141 - 149 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.03.023