Changes in point and diffuse source phosphorus inputs to the River Frome (Dorset, UK) from 1966 to 2006

Bowes, Michael J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0673-1934; Smith, Jim T.; Jarvie, Helen P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4984-1607; Neal, Colin; Barden, Ruth. 2009 Changes in point and diffuse source phosphorus inputs to the River Frome (Dorset, UK) from 1966 to 2006. Science of the Total Environment, 6 (1). 1954-1966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.026

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.026

Abstract/Summary

Changes in the relationship between soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration and river flow between 1966 and 2006 were assessed for the River Frome, UK using the recently developed Load Apportionment Model. The resulting source load estimates gave good agreement with known changes within the catchment. The model indicated an increase in point source contribution to the total river load from 46 % to 62 % between 1970 and 1985. This corresponded with the population increase within the catchment during that time. The predicted mean SRP load was highest between 1996 and 2000 (30 t y-1), with 49 % coming from point sources. Despite no lowering in population or major changes in agricultural practice, the model predicted a reduced load of 18.1 t y-1 for the period 2001 to 2005, due mainly to a decrease in point source inputs from 14.6 t y-1 to 6.1 t y-1 (equivalent to 34 % of the total load). This prediction matches the major improvements in sewage treatment that occurred within the catchment in 2002. This study thus provides a major validation of the Load Apportionment Model. The model provides an effective and rapid method of determining past changes in phosphorus sources, based entirely on the P concentration – flow relationship: critically, it does not require any historical information on land use, fertiliser application rates, topography, soil types and sewage inputs. Further decreases in SRP concentration in the River Frome during the algal growing season would be best achieved by further reductions of STW inputs.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.026
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water > WA03 Developing strategic data and knowledge at a catchment scale to enable the wiser management of the water environment
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Acreman
ISSN:	0048-9697
Additional Keywords:	Eutrophication, Source apportionment, Agriculture, Sewage, Nutrient, Load Apportionment Model, Chalk stream, Long term monitoring
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Earth Sciences Hydrology Chemistry
Date made live:	26 Mar 2009 14:40 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5330

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.026

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water > WA03 Developing strategic data and knowledge at a catchment scale to enable the wiser management of the water environment

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Acreman

ISSN:

0048-9697

Additional Keywords:

Eutrophication, Source apportionment, Agriculture, Sewage, Nutrient, Load Apportionment Model, Chalk stream, Long term monitoring