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Global modeling of the fate of nitrogen from point and nonpoint sources in soils, groundwater, and surface water
Author(s) -
Van Drecht G.,
Bouwman A. F.,
Knoop J. M.,
Beusen A. H. W.,
Meinardi C. R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
global biogeochemical cycles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.512
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 1944-9224
pISSN - 0886-6236
DOI - 10.1029/2003gb002060
Subject(s) - environmental science , denitrification , hydrology (agriculture) , groundwater , soil water , nonpoint source pollution , surface water , leaching (pedology) , water quality , soil science , nitrogen , environmental engineering , ecology , geology , physics , geotechnical engineering , quantum mechanics , biology
We present a global model that describes the fate of nitrogen (N) from point and nonpoint sources in the hydrological system up to the river mouths at the 0.5° by 0.5° spatial and annual temporal resolution. Estimates for point sources are based on population densities, per capita human N emissions, and data on sanitation coverage and wastewater treatment. For nonpoint sources, we use spatial information on land use, climate, hydrology, geology, and soils, combined with data on N inputs (fertilizers and animal manure, biological N fixation, and atmospheric deposition), and outputs (N removal in harvested agricultural products, ammonia emissions). Denitrification in the root zone and nitrate leaching to groundwater are calculated with a model that combines the effect of temperature, crop type, soil properties, and hydrological conditions. The nitrate concentration of the outflow for shallow and deep groundwater layers is based on historical inputs of fertilizer N and the effects of residence time and denitrification. In‐stream N retention is based on a global estimate of 30% of the N discharged to surface water. Calculated and reported total N concentrations of discharge near the river outlet agree fairly well. However, our model systematically overestimates total N concentrations for river basins with mean annual temperature >0°C.