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ASSESSMENT OF PREDICTORS FOR STREAM EUTROPHICATION POTENTIAL 1
Author(s) -
Toetz Dale,
Tang Letong,
Storm Daniel E.,
Mihuc Timothy,
Smolen Michael D.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1999.tb04179.x
Subject(s) - watershed , eutrophication , environmental science , nutrient , hydrology (agriculture) , drainage basin , pollution , water quality , nonpoint source pollution , nutrient pollution , ecology , geography , biology , geology , geotechnical engineering , cartography , machine learning , computer science
Predicting stream eutrophication potential from non‐point source nutrient loading across large temporal and spatial scales is a significant problem. In this paper we describe how two physiological indicators of P stress of stream bioflims, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and stored (surplus) P relate to two predictors of P loading: annual P loading predicted by the watershed model SIMPLE, and stream concentrations of soluble reactive P (SRP) in eight subbasins in the illinois River basin in Oklahoma. Data for APA, surplus P, nutrients and water chemistry were obtained at watershed outlets once during the cold season and twice during the warm season. There was a negative curvilinear relationship between APA and both predictors. Best fit was achieved by APA vs. annual predicted P loading. Both SRP and P. load are potentially useful to identify subbasins requiring no pollution abatement and to establish a regional target for P‐load reduction. Surplus P is not as useful as APA in establishing these thresholds.