Estimating nutrient concentrations from catchment characteristics across the UK

Davies, Helen; Neal, Colin. 2007 Estimating nutrient concentrations from catchment characteristics across the UK. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 11 (1). 550-558.

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Abstract/Summary

Within a Geographical Information System (GIS) framework, the distributions of nitrate and orthophosphate concentrations at monitoring sites across the UK were examined and empirical relationships with catchment characteristics were established. The mean orthophosphate concentrations were linked strongly with the urban component, and less significantly with effective rainfall and agricultural coverage. This is of strategic importance in relation to phosphorus and the Water Framework Directive. Correspondingly, mean nitrate concentrations were linked to land-use types, base flow index and effective rainfall. Within-catchment residence times and effective-rainfall (runoff) were important in relation to nitrate. The issue of nitrate and the Water Framework Directive is more complex than that for orthophosphate and involves a strong agricultural as well as an urban component.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Acreman Harding (to July 2011)
ISSN:	1027-5606
Additional Keywords:	nitrate, phosphate, orthophosphate, Water Framework Directive, harmonised monitoring scheme, LOIS, Humber, GIS, catchment characteristics
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Earth Sciences
Date made live:	08 Jan 2008 15:52 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/1837

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