TITLE:
Quantifying In-Stream Processes on Phosphorus Export Using an Empirical Approach
AUTHORS:
Soni M. Pradhanang, Rajith Mukundan, Mark S. Zion, Elliot M. Schneiderman, Donald Pierson, Tammo S. Steenhuis
KEYWORDS:
Point Sources; Non-Point Sources; P Release and Retention; Linear Mixing; E-EMMA
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.6 No.2,
February
25,
2014
ABSTRACT: In-stream nutrient release and retention control the
timing and quantity of export at the watershed outlet by mobilization and
transport of phosphorus (P) sources from land to the channel, and
remobilization of transient stores of P from stream beds. We investigated the
significance of stream processes in regulating P loading to the Cannonsville
watershed, NY, USA. A mass balance of estimated P inputs to the stream with
observed P export at the watershed outlet was used to quantify P delivery and
explore the behavior of P. Stream channel transport of both dissolved and
particulate P is found to be non-conservative, with dissolved P being retained
during low flows and particulate P released during high flows. The results
suggest that differences in the magnitude and relative importance of in-stream
biogeochemical processes under different flow regimes regulate P delivery in
ways that may influence ecological impacts to downstream river reaches and
reservoirs.