Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transport by world rivers

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Am. J. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.282.4.401· OSTI ID:5078241

Meybeck, M

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.

• Research Organization: Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, France
• OSTI ID: 5078241
• Journal Information: Am. J. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 282:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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)