Impact of groundwater nitrogen legacy on water quality

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(7), P. 891 - 900

Published: June 12, 2024

Abstract The loss of agricultural nitrogen (N) is a leading cause global eutrophication and freshwater coastal hypoxia. Despite regulatory efforts, such as the European Union’s Nitrogen Directive, high concentrations N persist in freshwaters. Excessive leaching accumulation groundwater has created substantial reservoir travel times are orders-of-magnitude slower than those surface waters. In this study we reconstructed past projected future dynamics for four major river basins, Rhine, Mississippi, Yangtze Pearl, showcasing different trajectories. Rhine Mississippi basins have accumulated since 1950s although strategies to reduce excess worked well legacy persists Mississippi. Pearl entered phase 1970s expected continue until 2050. Policies pollution from fertilizers not halted accumulation, highlighting importance accounting groundwater. Restoring storage 1970 levels by diminishing will therefore take longer (>35 years) (9 (15 years). Sustainable watershed management requires long-term that address impacts promote sustainable practices aligned with Development Goals balance productivity water conservation.

Language: Английский

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Climate change impacts on eutrophication in the Po River (Italy): Temperature-mediated reduction in nitrogen export but no effect on phosphorus

Journal of Environmental Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 143, P. 148 - 163

Published: July 10, 2023

Rivers worldwide are under stress from eutrophication and nitrate pollution, but the ecological consequences overlap with climate change, resulting interactions may be unexpected still unexplored. The Po River basin (northern Italy) is one of most agriculturally productive densely populated areas in Europe. It remains unclear whether change impacts on thermal hydrological regimes already affecting nutrient dynamics transport to coastal areas. present work addresses long-term trends (1992-2020) nitrogen phosphorus export by investigating both annual magnitude seasonal patterns their relationship water temperature discharge trajectories. Despite constant diffuse point sources basin, a marked decrease (-20%) export, mostly as nitrate, was recorded last decade compared 1990s, while no significant downward trend observed for phosphorus. has warmed, pronounced signals summer (+0.13°C/year) autumn (+0.16°C/year), together strongest increase number warm days (+70%-80%). An extended window temperatures persistence low flow periods likely create favorable conditions permanent removal via denitrification, lower delivery reactive sea. results show that change-driven warming enhance processing increasing respiratory river metabolism, thereby reducing spring early autumn, when risk zones higher.

Language: Английский

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Long-term annual soil nitrogen surplus across Europe (1850–2019)

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9(1)

Published: Oct. 10, 2022

Abstract Worldwide surface waters suffer from the presence of nitrogen (N) compounds causing eutrophication and deterioration water quality. Despite many Europe-wide legislation’s, we still observe high N levels across bodies in Europe. Information on long-term annual soil surplus is needed to better understand these inform future management strategies. Here, reconstructed analysed for both agricultural non-agricultural soils Europe at a 5 arcmin (≈10 km equator) spatial resolution more than century (1850–2019). The dataset consists 16 estimates that account uncertainties resulting input data sources methodological choices major components surplus. We documented consistency plausibility our by comparing them with previous studies discussed about possible avenues further improvements. Importantly, offers flexibility aggregating any scale relevance support land

Language: Английский

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Assessing nitrate groundwater hotspots in Europe reveals an inadequate designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 355, P. 141830 - 141830

Published: March 27, 2024

Monitoring networks show that the European Union Nitrates Directive (ND) has had mixed success in reducing nitrate concentrations groundwater. By combining machine learning and monitored (1992–2019), we estimate total area of hotspots Europe to be 401,000 km2, with 47% occurring outside Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). We also found contrasting increasing or decreasing trends, varying per country time periods. only 5% 122,000 km2 2019 will meet quality standards by 2040 these may offset appearance new hotspots. Our results reveal effectiveness ND is limited both time-lags between implementation good practices pollution reduction an inadequate designation NVZs. Significant improvements regulation NVZs are necessary, as well monitoring stations terms spatial density information available concerning sampling depth, if objectives EU legislation protect groundwater achieved.

Language: Английский

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Unraveling root and rhizosphere traits in temperate maize landraces and modern cultivars: Implications for soil resource acquisition and drought adaptation

Plant Cell & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 47(7), P. 2524 - 2539

Published: March 22, 2024

A holistic understanding of plant strategies to acquire soil resources is pivotal in achieving sustainable food security. However, we lack knowledge about variety-specific root and rhizosphere traits for resource acquisition, their plasticity adaptation drought. We conducted a greenhouse experiment phenotype (mean diameter [Root D], specific length [SRL], tissue density, nitrogen content, rhizosheath mass [SRM], arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF] colonization) 16 landraces 22 modern cultivars temperate maize (Zea mays L.). Our results demonstrate that diverge traits. Although follow 'do-it-yourself' strategy with high SRLs, exhibit an 'outsourcing' increased mean Root Ds tendency towards colonization by AMF. further identified SRM indicates strategy. Additionally, were more drought-responsive compared based on multitrait response indices. suggest breeding leads distinct acquisition between varieties. Future efforts should increasingly target economics, serving as valuable proxy identifying varieties employing outsourcing

Language: Английский

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Winter post-droughts amplify extreme nitrate concentrations in German rivers

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(2), P. 024007 - 024007

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Abstract Hydrological extremes can affect nutrient export from catchments to streams, posing a threat aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the effects of hydrological drought on nitrate concentrations in streamflow 182 German 1980 2020. We found that across all seasons, 40% and 25% showed significantly lower during post-droughts, respectively, when compared non-drought conditions. However, observed pronounced spatial variability responses, particularly winter droughts with more exhibiting higher concentrations. Specifically, were study droughts, wetter low nitrogen retention. During are 19% catchments, especially surplus. Moreover, likelihood seasonal increased by 6% post-drought our catchments. Considering projected increase frequency Germany, corresponding periods poses potential ecosystem health.

Language: Английский

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Contrasting nitrogen transport patterns in subtropical basins revealed by combined multiple isotopic analyses and hydrological simulations

Water Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 262, P. 122058 - 122058

Published: July 6, 2024

Language: Английский

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Response of soil fertility to soil erosion on a regional scale: A case study of Northeast China

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 434, P. 140360 - 140360

Published: Dec. 22, 2023

Language: Английский

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Century-long reconstruction of gridded phosphorus surplus across Europe (1850–2019)

Earth system science data, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 881 - 916

Published: March 10, 2025

Abstract. Phosphorus (P) surplus in soils significantly contributes to the eutrophication and degradation of water quality surface waters worldwide. Despite extensive European regulations, elevated P levels persist many bodies across continent. Long-term annual data on soil (the difference between inputs outputs) are essential understand these guide future management strategies. This study reconstructs analyzes long-term for both agricultural non-agricultural from diffuse sources Europe at a 5 arcmin (≈10 km Equator) spatial resolution 1850 2019. The dataset includes 48 estimates that account uncertainties arising different methodological choices coefficients major components surplus. Our results indicate substantial changes magnitude over past 100 years, underscoring importance understanding Specifically, total EU 27 has tripled 170 1.19(±0.28) kg ha−1 physical area around 2.48(±0.97) per year recent years. We evaluated plausibility consistency our by comparing them with existing studies identified potential areas further improvement. Notably, supports aggregation various scales, aiding development targeted strategies address issues related P. reconstructed is available https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11351027 (Batool et al., 2024).

Language: Английский

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Century‐Long Analysis of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Surplus in French Agriculture: Trends and Drivers

Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 39(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract This study provides the longest trend analysis of Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) surplus in France from 1920 to 2020, modeled with CaSSiS model at both national departmental levels. At scale, century long average annual N is about 37 ± 13 kg per ha utilized agricultural area (UAA) year, while P averages 9 7 UAA −1 year . However, significant periods change correspond important economic events such as World Wars major agri‐environmental reforms. Analysis use efficiency (NUE PUE, respectively) revealed varying trends over time. NUE averaged 67%, ranging 52% 78%, PUE exhibited larger fluctuations, 30% 130%. level, fluctuated between −15 140 , ranged 41 Temporal an increase 96% departments 1990, followed by a decline 89% 1990 2020. increased all until 1974, consistent decrease. five contrasting French highlighted impact practices on nutrient surplus. These findings underscore importance tailored management strategies achieve balanced inputs outputs, promoting sustainable agriculture minimizing environmental impacts. contributes valuable insights for informed decision‐making policies practices.

Language: Английский

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