Abstract
In order to explore the influence of wet nitrogen (N) deposition on N output in watersheds, this study selected a typical small watershed (Chenjiagou, CJG) in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) area based on one-year observation of rainfall-runoff N forms. Characteristics and sources of N output were clarified by chemical statistics and isotopic abundance, and the contribution of N deposition to the N output was quantified by the output coefficient method. The N flux of wet deposition was estimated at 18.53 kg N ha−1 yr−1, and originated mostly from agricultural activities. Watershed N was significantly accumulated from upper to lower reaches due to frequent human activities. Seasonal changes of riverine N were strongly affected by chemical fertilizer, with the highest concentration in spring and the lowest in winter. Nitrate was mainly derived from chemical fertilizer, accounting for 38.83% of all sources. N concentration in processes of different rainfall events had a hysteresis effect corresponding to the flow rate. Three rainfall events greatly changed DTN (Dissolved total N) outputs: rainstorm caused 91.26 kg DTN output, which was 11 times that of moderate rain (8.46 kg) and 4 times that of heavy rain (20.80 kg). N deposition contributed 19.89% of riverine N output in the watershed. The results can provide theoretical support for the control of N pollution in the TGR area.
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This work was supported by Youth Project of Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Education Commission of China (No. KJQN202101201).
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Lu, Cd., Zhang, Ly., Yan, K. et al. Influence of nitrogen wet deposition on nitrogen output in a typical watershed in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. J. Mt. Sci. 19, 2214–2225 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7427-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7427-1