An analysis of total phosphorus transport in river systems

Abstract

Human activities generate many pollutants from different land uses. These pollutants include nutrients (e.g., phosphorus and nitrogen), toxic substances (e.g., heavy metals and pesticides), and other substances (e.g., chlorides and salts). These materials often enter a river at some upstream point and are transported downstream by the flowing water. Many substances are transported both during storms and during normal river flow and often the major portion of the transport occurs during the storms. This paper considers the quantification of transport primarily during storms. First, the characteristics of storm transport are discussed. Then, a calculation method for estimating the distance of travel for sediment related materials is presented. Third, a technique to estimate the amount of a given chemical passing a point in a stream over a specified period of time is presented. The last part of this paper contains a technique for tracing the movement of substances through a river network. In particular, this procedure yields information as to the source of given pollutants over the entire Storm period.