Impact of the water-sediment regulation and a rainstorm on nutrient transport in the Huanghe River

Abstract

Dissolved nutrient concentration in the Huanghe (Yellow) River at Lijin was monitored during a water-sediment regulation period and a subsequent rainstorm from 14 June to 19 July, 2005. This study provides detailed information on nutrient concentrations in the Huanghe River during the water-sediment regulation and rainstorm periods, and is of significance for the downstream area of the Huanghe River and the Bohai Sea. The average concentrations of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia were 304.7 μmol/L, 0.19 μmol/L, and 1.10 μmol/L, respectively, while the average concentrations of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and dissolved silicate (DSi) were 0.23 μmol/L and 122.9 μmol/L, respectively. Nutrient concentrations during the water-sediment regulation period were mainly influenced by the dilution effect, floodplain effect and sediment resuspension while dilution and erosion effects were the main factors during the rainstorm. The fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), DIP and DSi during the water-sediment regulation and rainstorm periods accounted for 20.4%, 19.5%, 16.7% and 4.97%, 6.45%, 5.47% of the annual nutrient fluxes, respectively. Discharge was the main factor influencing the fluxes of nutrients during both the water-sediment regulation and the rainstorm periods.