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Impact of groundwater nitrogen legacy on water quality

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaochen Liu

    (Unit of Marine and Coastal Systems, Deltares
    Utrecht University)

  • Arthur H. W. Beusen

    (Utrecht University
    PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency)

  • Hans J. M. Grinsven

    (PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency)

  • Junjie Wang

    (Utrecht University)

  • Wim Joost Hoek

    (Utrecht University)

  • Xiangbin Ran

    (Ministry of Natural Resources)

  • José M. Mogollón

    (Leiden University)

  • Alexander F. Bouwman

    (Utrecht University)

Abstract

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

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaochen Liu & Arthur H. W. Beusen & Hans J. M. Grinsven & Junjie Wang & Wim Joost Hoek & Xiangbin Ran & José M. Mogollón & Alexander F. Bouwman, 2024. "Impact of groundwater nitrogen legacy on water quality," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(7), pages 891-900, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:7:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01369-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01369-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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