Article
Engineering, Civil
Lei Chen, Jiaqi Li, Jiajia Xu, Guowangchen Liu, Wenzhuo Wang, Jing Jiang, Zhenyao Shen
Summary: Scale transformation is crucial for NPS pollution management, improving the efficiency of PMAs identification. Uncertainties lie in the selection of water quality target, assessment point, and hydrological periods. The new framework shows advantages in reducing NPS control area and intensifying watershed management under different scenarios.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Xintong Cui, Wei Ouyang, Lianhua Liu, Pengtao Wang, Zeshan Wu, Xin Hao, Ri Jin, Weihong Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the simulation of forest nutrient cycling using an improved Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The modified model shows improved accuracy in predicting annual litter production and nutrient dynamics, as well as enhanced simulation of nitrate and runoff.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zeshu Zhang, Hubert Montas, Adel Shirmohammadi, Paul T. Leisnham, Masoud Negahban-Azar
Summary: Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is a global issue, especially in the Chesapeake Bay, where sediment, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) are the main water quality concerns. This study investigated the spatial distribution of NPS hotspots and found that as land cover changes from agriculture to ultra-urban, the distribution of NPS pollution source areas becomes increasingly uniform. The research suggests that control strategies should be adapted based on the major land cover category of study watersheds.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linnea Saby, Jacob D. Nelson, Lawrence E. Band, Jonathan L. Goodall
Summary: The research parameterized the landscape-scale patterns of an emerging NPS WQT market in Virginia, examined the impacts and integration of the program with statewide watershed management goals. Results showed how the program has influenced water quality BMPs transfer and identified opportunities for improved integration with state priorities. Suggestions were made for policy and management actions to increase integration and enhance environmental returns from NPS WQT.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaihang Zhu, Lei Chen, Shibo Chen, Cheng Sun, Wenzhuo Wang, Zhenyao Shen
Summary: Integrated calculations of pollution load and water environmental capacity are crucial for water quality management. In this study, a new framework based on a watershed model and stochastic rainfall input was proposed to reveal the dynamic water environmental capacity and pollution load in a non point source pollution-dominant temperate monsoon watershed. The framework was applied to the Daning River watershed in the Three Georges Reservoir Region, China. The results showed that the traditional return period method underestimated the ideal water environmental capacity and non point source pollution load, while the new method with stochastic rainfall input was more accurate.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Mathematics
Jiayu Peng, Chunling Jin, Yue Wu, Zeying Hou, Sijia Gao, Zhaosheng Chu, Binghui Zheng
Summary: The study simulated NPSP transport using the SWAT model and found that N and P loss fields were mainly located near specific rivers, with minimal impact of different cropping systems on N and P load. Pollution discharge mainly originated from critical pollution discharge zones.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanting Hu, Zisheng Xing, Fu Zhang, Qing Tian, Nasem Badreldin, Jinmei Zhao
Summary: Agriculture-related nonpoint source pollution is a global issue, and estimating pollutant sources at the basin scale remains challenging. This study analyzed the impact of different land uses on water quality using long-term observational data and identified significant pollutants. Pollutants were mainly discharged through hillslope areas, and pollutant concentrations varied with pollutants and land uses. Implementing soil and water conservation measures can mitigate pollutants to some extent.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karen Stainbrook, Cameron Ross, Cassandra Davis, Lauren Townley
Summary: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has developed the Loading Estimator of Nutrient Sources (LENS) tool to support clean water planning and prioritize waterbodies with excessive phosphorus levels. LENS is an Excel based tool that combines several simple steady state models to estimate phosphorus sources, waterbody response, and recovery potential. Validation comparisons with complex watershed models showed that LENS performs reasonably well in estimating relative phosphorus loading.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alicia Reitz, Erika Hemric, Kimberlee K. Hall
Summary: The study evaluated the influence factors of fecal pollution sources and transport in the Tuckasegee River watershed in Western North Carolina using a multivariate statistical approach, finding that fecal pollution is influenced by factors such as surface runoff, soil erosion, and chemical parameters. Results showed that chemical parameters can serve as effective predictors of fecal pollution, aiding in the identification of pollution sources and development of effective TMDLs.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Depeng Zuo, Yuna Han, Xiaoxi Gao, Guangwen Ma, Zongxue Xu, Yiqing Bi, Karim C. Abbaspour, Hong Yang
Summary: Identification of critical source areas (CSAs) for non-point source (NPS) pollution is crucial for environmental governance and prevention. This study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to identify the CSAs for nutrient yields in an agricultural watershed of Northeast China, and assessed the impact of spatially heterogenous precipitation on their identification. The results showed that CSAs identified by uniform precipitation fluctuated more and covered a larger area than actual precipitation. Additionally, priority management areas (PMAs) that have poor nutrient retention ability were also identified. This study provides scientific guidance for NPS pollution governance and prevention.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Rajith Mukundan, Rakesh K. Gelda, Mahrokh Moknatian, Xuesong Zhang, Tammo S. Steenhuis
Summary: This study transformed the SWAT-Carbon (C) model to simulate dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from variable source runoff areas in a humid forested watershed in the northeastern United States. The calibrated model accurately simulated streamflow and DOC flux, and showed sensitivity to soil properties and precipitation. The good performance of the model makes it a valuable tool for understanding the influence of climate and watershed management on DOC and developing mitigation strategies.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Qiang Wu, Hui Yu
Summary: The study identified CSAs in watersheds for NPS pollution management by integrating SWAT model and ECM method to quantify S factors. It found that using multi-factors with different weights was more accurate for CSA identification, providing a sound basis for future decision-making.
HYDROLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Le Li, Mengmeng Gou, Na Wang, Wei Ma, Wenfa Xiao, Changfu Liu, Lumeng La
Summary: This study developed an integrated approach to identify the effects of climate and landscape changes on runoff and nitrate loading in watersheds in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China. It found that landscape pattern changes primarily affected surface runoff and nitrate load, while baseflow and water yield were mainly influenced by precipitation change. The findings highlight the importance of considering landscape configuration and seasonal climatic characteristics in ecological restoration strategies for effective control of nitrate loss.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Guowangchen Liu, Lei Chen, Wenzhuo Wang, Mingjing Wang, Yuhan Zhang, Jiaqi Li, Chen Lin, Junfeng Xiong, Qing Zhu, Yong Liu, Hui Zhu, Zhenyao Shen
Summary: Balancing clean water and economic growth remains a challenge for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. This study proposes a new watershed management framework (WAM-SDGs) that integrates water quality impacts and cost-effectiveness analysis of catchment actions. The method was tested in two catchments in China, showing improved cost-effectiveness and reliability compared to traditional methods. Priority should be given to urban catchments for water quality improvement, while agricultural catchments are more cost-effective.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Avay Risal, Prem B. Parajuli
Summary: Evaluating Best Management Practices (BMPs) in watersheds using hydrologic and water quality models can help establish effective watershed water management. This study applied the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to two watersheds and evaluated the impact of different BMP scenarios on water quality at both field and watershed scales. The results showed that vegetative filter strips (VFS) were the most effective BMP in reducing sediment yield, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorous (TP) at both scales.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2022)