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Title: Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transport by world rivers

Abstract

The various forms (dissolved and particulate, organic and inorganic) of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in world rivers are reviewed from literature data. Natural levels are based mainly on major rivers for the subarctic and tropical zones which are still unpolluted and on smaller streams for the temperate zone. Atmospheric fallout is also reviewed. Natural contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are mainly dependent on environmental conditions: DOC varies from 1 mg 1/sup -1/ in the mountainous alpine environments to 20 mg 1/sup -1/ in some taiga rivers. The world DOC average is 5.75 mg l/sup -1/. Nitrogen forms include dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN = N - NH/sub 4//sup +/ + N - NO/sub 3//sup -/ + N - NO/sub 2//sup -/), and particulate organic nitrogen (PON). Natural levels are very low: DIN = 120 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ of which only 15 percent is present as ammonia, and 1 percent as nitrite. Phosphorus is naturally present in very low amounts: around 10 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ for P-PO/sub 4//sup 3/ and 25 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ for total dissolved phosphorus (TDP which includes the organic form). The average nutrient content of rains has been estimated with a set ofmore » unpolluted stations: P - PO/sub 4/ = 5 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/, TDP = 10, N - NO/sub 2/ = 5, N - NH/sub 4/ = 225, DON = 225, and N - NO/sub 3/ = 175 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/. TOC levels are probably around several mg 1/sup -1/. These contents are very similar to those found in unpolluted rivers. Man's influence on surface waters has now greatly increased natural nutrient levels. Total dissolved P and N have globally increased by a factor of two and locally (Western Europe, North America) by factors of 10 to 50. These increases were found to be directly proportional to the watershed population and to its energy consumption.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, France
OSTI Identifier:
5078241
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Am. J. Sci.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 282:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; CARBON; ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION; ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT; NITROGEN; PHOSPHORUS; CORRELATIONS; ENERGY CONSUMPTION; GLOBAL ASPECTS; HUMAN POPULATIONS; ORGANIC MATTER; RAIN; RIVERS; WATER POLLUTION; ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS; ELEMENTS; MASS TRANSFER; NONMETALS; POLLUTION; POPULATIONS; STREAMS; SURFACE WATERS; 520200* - Environment, Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Meybeck, M. Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transport by world rivers. United States: N. p., 1982. Web. doi:10.2475/ajs.282.4.401.
Meybeck, M. Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transport by world rivers. United States. https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.282.4.401
Meybeck, M. 1982. "Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transport by world rivers". United States. https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.282.4.401.
@article{osti_5078241,
title = {Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transport by world rivers},
author = {Meybeck, M},
abstractNote = {The various forms (dissolved and particulate, organic and inorganic) of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in world rivers are reviewed from literature data. Natural levels are based mainly on major rivers for the subarctic and tropical zones which are still unpolluted and on smaller streams for the temperate zone. Atmospheric fallout is also reviewed. Natural contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are mainly dependent on environmental conditions: DOC varies from 1 mg 1/sup -1/ in the mountainous alpine environments to 20 mg 1/sup -1/ in some taiga rivers. The world DOC average is 5.75 mg l/sup -1/. Nitrogen forms include dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN = N - NH/sub 4//sup +/ + N - NO/sub 3//sup -/ + N - NO/sub 2//sup -/), and particulate organic nitrogen (PON). Natural levels are very low: DIN = 120 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ of which only 15 percent is present as ammonia, and 1 percent as nitrite. Phosphorus is naturally present in very low amounts: around 10 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ for P-PO/sub 4//sup 3/ and 25 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ for total dissolved phosphorus (TDP which includes the organic form). The average nutrient content of rains has been estimated with a set of unpolluted stations: P - PO/sub 4/ = 5 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/, TDP = 10, N - NO/sub 2/ = 5, N - NH/sub 4/ = 225, DON = 225, and N - NO/sub 3/ = 175 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/. TOC levels are probably around several mg 1/sup -1/. These contents are very similar to those found in unpolluted rivers. Man's influence on surface waters has now greatly increased natural nutrient levels. Total dissolved P and N have globally increased by a factor of two and locally (Western Europe, North America) by factors of 10 to 50. These increases were found to be directly proportional to the watershed population and to its energy consumption.},
doi = {10.2475/ajs.282.4.401},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5078241}, journal = {Am. J. Sci.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 282:4,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1982},
month = {Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1982}
}