Dataset Information

Hotspots for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Losses from Food Production in China: A County-Scale Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Food production in China results in large losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to the environment. Our objective is to identify hotspots for N and P losses to the environment from food production in China at the county scale. To do this, we used the NUFER (Nutrient flows in Food chains, Environment and Resources use) model. Between 1990 and 2012, the hotspot area expanded by a factor of 3 for N, and 24 for P. In 2012 most hotspots were found in the North China Plain. Hotspots covered less than 10% of the Chinese land area, but contributed by more than half to N and P losses to the environment. Direct discharge of animal manure to rivers was an important cause of N and P losses. Food production was found to be more intensive in hotspots than in other counties. Synthetic fertilizer use and animal numbers in hotspots were a factor of 4-5 higher than in other counties in 2012. Also the number of people working in food production and the incomes of farmers are higher in hotspots than in other counties. This study concludes with suggestions for region-specific pollution control technologies for food production in China.

SUBMITTER: Wang M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5956281 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Hotspots for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Losses from Food Production in China: A County-Scale Analysis.

Wang Mengru M Ma Lin L Strokal Maryna M Ma Wenqi W Liu Xuejun X Kroeze Carolien C

Environmental science & technology 20180427 10

Food production in China results in large losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to the environment. Our objective is to identify hotspots for N and P losses to the environment from food production in China at the county scale. To do this, we used the NUFER (Nutrient flows in Food chains, Environment and Resources use) model. Between 1990 and 2012, the hotspot area expanded by a factor of 3 for N, and 24 for P. In 2012 most hotspots were found in the North China Plain. Hotspots covered less t ...[more]

PMID: 29671326

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Project description:Surface runoff is one of the predominant routes for agricultural nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses, yet their characteristics and corresponding control measures are not fully understood. In 2019 and 2020, field-scale plot experiments were performed at Dongjiang Basin in South China to investigate the characteristics of N and P runoff losses from paddy and maize cropping systems. The results showed that N and P losses from maize fields via surface runoff (27.85 and 1.24 kg ha-1 year-1) were significantly higher than those from paddy fields (15.37 and 0.8 kg ha-1 year-1). The main forms of N losses were nitrate ( NO3- -N) and ammonium ( NH4+ -N) in paddy and maize fields, respectively, whereas particulate P form predominated in surface runoff losses from both the paddy and maize fields. Considerable proportions of agricultural N and P (71-83% of the total runoff loss) were lost during basal fertilization and first topdressing application. Moreover, frequent rainfall events following fertilizer application triggered N and P losses from the monitored fields. About 26.22 and 37.48% of N fertilizer was recovered from grains and straw of paddy and maize, respectively, whereas only 12.35 and 19.51% of P fertilizer were recovered during the crop harvesting stage. Surface runoff was one of the dominant liquid pathways in N loss, whereas most of P loss (introduced from fertilizers without crops utilization) was fixed in the soil. Principal component analysis (PCA) proved that the primary sources of N and P losses were fertilizers rather than N and P in the soil. The current results suggest controlled management relating to fertilization, irrigation, and tillage strategies are effective measures for reducing N and P losses, thereby controlling agricultural non-point source pollution. It is hoped that this study will provide comprehensive field-based inputs on characteristics of N and P runoff losses and formulate appropriate control strategies to protect aquatic environments from eutrophication.

Dataset Information

Hotspots for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Losses from Food Production in China: A County-Scale Analysis.

Publications

Hotspots for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Losses from Food Production in China: A County-Scale Analysis.

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