Current Features and Dynamics of Nutrient Balance in the Kud’ma River Basin. 1. Annual Nutrient Balance

Abstract

The main components of the annual water and nutrient balance are determined for the basin of the Kud’ma River, which has a landscape structure typical of the southern part of the forest zone. The contribution of the natural and anthropogenic factors to nutrient inputs into the Kud’ma River and their export from the catchment area is estimated. It is shown that forest tree waste is among the major natural factors of nutrient input into the Kud’ma River catchment area, while animal wastes are among anthropogenic factors. Nutrient export with river runoff, including its surface and underground components, is evaluated. It is found that the export of nitrogen and phosphorus from the catchment area has increased considerably in the recent years because of changes in the hydroclimatic conditions, which have caused a decrease in the surface runoff component and a considerable increase in its underground component.