Abstract
Phosphorus (P) acts as a link between biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, and the phosphorus flux of a river determines the ecological diversity and biogeochemical processes in that river. The aim of our research is to provide a quantitative evaluation of land surface P losses and fluvial P fluxes in a river basin. The fluvial P flux transported in the mainstream and main tributaries from 2011 to 2013 in the Shigatse region of the Yarlung Zangbo (YLZB) River basin was simulated with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Our study results suggested that the P loss intensity on the south bank (7.34 kg/ha) is greater than that on the north bank (2.21 kg/ha), and the fluvial P flux in the south tributaries flowing into the mainstream YLZB River is also greater (south: 8589.08 t/yr; north: 3777.61 t/yr). The fluvial phosphorus transport flux for the Shigatse basin is 10,307.55 t/yr, which is lower level than that found in many other large rivers in the world. Meteorological conditions, underlying surface conditions and fluvial P retention conditions were combined to determine the spatial pattern of land surface P loss and fluvial P fluxes and their north–south differences in the study area. Our study provides new perspectives on phosphorus fluxes in data-deficient rivers in highland regions.
Published Version
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