SinoTropia

Watershed Eutrophication management in China through system oriented process modelling

of Pressures, Impacts and Abatement actions

O. Røyseth M. Yang W. An B. Tian

G. Orderud J. Naustdalslid X. Lu

X. Deng

T. Andersen, K. Tominanga G. Wibetoe, C.W. Mohr R. Vogt, B. Zhou

CAS/RCN Bilateral China – Norway Project 2011 – 2014

P. Jiahua L. Meng P. Qimin

The main point We need coherent research where

hydro-biogeochemical processes governing eutrophication are linked to societal response

SinoTropia introduction

Yuqiao water reservoir

Water source for Tianjins 6 – 10 mill. population

Sound ecological condition requires ◦ Knowledge based and system focused management ◦ Knowledge based local participation

and best practices For scientific and sustainable development

and a harmonious society

Sustainable development

Decision makers need ◦ knowledge based abatement strategies

on environmental challenges ◦ strategies that are

politically and socially feasible to ensure sustainable development

We need to balance environmental protection with limitations posed by social harmony and economic production

Sustainability implies positive solutions for all components

Environ. Protection

Sound Economic Production

Social Harmony

Sustain- ability

Impact & Response

SinoTropia introduction

SEI 2007

Holistic approach A necessary basis for good decision-making

and effective environmental policies on our increasingly complex and integrated environmental challenges

The researchers' role is to provide such knowledge

Sustainable development

Enable decision makers to establish knowledge based abatement strategies on environmental challenges thereby ensuring a sustainable development

Sustainability implies positive solutions for all components

Needs for environmental protection are balanced against limitation posed by social harmony and economic production ◦ To obtain this knowledge, integrated assessment studies

of the ways pollution and inadequate resource management affect the environment and humans are required.

Environ. Protection

Sound Economic Production

Social Harmony

Sustain- ability

Rensvik, 2010

Call for Trans-disciplinary environmental knowledge assessment

Drivers for Interdisciplinary in environmental knowledge development

Increased societal legitimacy and improved research relevance ◦ Environmental research must meet

societal challenges Problems discovered by knowledge

◦ Need to be solved with knowledge Problems caused by knowledge,

◦ ”can't be solved by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”

Generates opportunities for scientific innovation through cross-fertilisation and knowledge integration (the essence of inter-disciplinarity)

Scientific curiosity is driven by scientific skepticism - more prone to be held by outsiders than in the midst of a disciplinary ‘hard core’

Applied research

Basic research

Social science

Natural science

Building bridges

Bridging disciplines Bridging approaches: modeling and observations

– common research site Bridging spatial scales Bridging time scales and weather extremes Deterministic and probabilistic approaches

Science to policy interaction - Integrated assessment

Monitoring Modelling

Critical Load

Forests Water

Assessment Communication with

decision makers facilitated by Critical Load maps “The deposition below which significant harmful effects do not occur according to present knowledge”

• Integrated Monitoring generating system understanding

• ..That is used to construct simulation and prediction models

• So that decision makers can assess the most appropriate abatement actions

Outline Drivers: Population increase, climate change

Pressures: P leaching to water

State: High nutrient levels

Impacts: Eutrophication

Nature’s Response: Change in eco-system services, feedback mechanisms

Society’s Response: Abatement actions, adaptation, environmental technology, policy, legislations, taxes

DPSIR - Conceptual framework

The12th. Five year plan Scientific development Ecological progress

The main issue 60 - 70% of the surface water resources

in China have too poor quality Eutrophication is the main cause

for poor ecological quality

What is the solution..? Can we deal with

eutrophication? ◦ Are the abatement actions

appropriate? Are we targeting the right sources of nutrients

and form of nutrients? Are the effects of our abatement actions disguised by

changes in other environmental pressures?

◦ Are the abatement actions politically and/or socially feasible? What barriers or thresholds in society hinder the

implementation of abatement actions? Is there sufficient knowledge of stakeholder interests? What motivates collective action?

◦ What can we do next, together? We have already used the obvious abatement actions What do we do next? How do we decide the best next

step?

SinoTropia introduction

The research needs Goal: Increase our ability to predict effects of abatement measures and changes in the environment

and the societies response to

Need: Improve the reliability and relevance of prediction models

Strategy: - Assess temporal and spatial variation in P-fractions

- Assess societal thresholds and barriers towards abatement actions

→ identifying the most cost-efficient and feasible abatement actions by substituting empirical deduced assessments with conceptual induced knowledge based process understanding from nature- and social sciences.

Prerequisite: Need to link:

- geochemical and physio-hydrological processes in the catchment with the in-lake biochemical processes controlling the level of nutrients (P, N, C) and its effect on water quality

- nature- and societal sciences

SinoTropia introduction

Thesis By adopting a trans-disciplinary approach

to the eutrophication challenge, i.e. by integrating natural and social sciences with policy - we will improve: ◦ Policy-making process

◦ implementation of relevant policies

In order to achieve water resource management

that meets society’s needs

SinoTropia introduction

Hypothesis – Analytical methods P-fractionation will enhance

our ability to identify : ◦ source of Phosphorous ◦ processes governing fluxes ◦ fate of the Phosphorous effect of bioactive P-fractions

and thereby algal growth

SinoTropia introduction

Hypothesis - Processes

The role of particle transport of nutrients is likely overestimated. Most of this material is mainly buried in the sediments

More frequent and intensive rain episodes enhance eutrophication due to increased erosion and leaching of nutrients

SinoTropia introduction

Hypothesis - Models

Models need to be adopted to Chinese environments ◦ The main governing processes

may not be the same

SinoTropia promotion

SWAT; www.brc.tamus.edu/swat/

Hypothesis – Societal response

Knowledge - ◦ Of stakeholder interests

and learning processes are essential for the success of the public policies abating eutrophication ◦ Constitute a necessary basis

for sound environmental management through facilitating collective action and public policies

SinoTropia introduction

SinoTropia Research Strategy

The hypotheses are tested through integrated works packages WP1 Field sampling and chemical analysis WP2 Catchment processes - the influence of land-

use and climate on nutrient fluxes into aquatic systems.

WP3 Modelling of catchment and lake processes WP4 Societal processes and

management procedures WP5 Nutrient management plan for

Yuqiao reservoir

Conceptual process studies

Dissemination

Compliance with science

Monitoring

Data

P -fraction

data

Field Sampling

and analysis

Analysis of

Eutrophication consensus

Nutrient sources

Barriers and thresholds

against abatement

actions

Citizen response question-

naire

Suggest abatement measures

Predicted societal

responses to abatement actions

Predicted responses to changes in pressures

Societal

Data

SinoTropia introduction

, lysimeter

P fractionation

Yuqiao reservoir Main water supply for 5

mill people in Tanjin Attracts considerable

attention due to its eutrophication problems

Recieves water from the diverted Luan river watershed in Hebei

Main P flux is from local watershed

Progress so far… Collected and synthesized

background data Installed equipment Sampled and analyzed

soils and water Inter-calibrated

chemical laboratories Conducted a survey

covering farmers and local government officials

.. And much in process

Background data

Land-use in local watershed 130 000 residens

in the local catchment

Omnipresent agriculture with abundent use of fertilizers

Clay soils with poor water infiltration

Catchments

1

2

3

4

5

NIVA intercalibration, Summing up for TAES (and RCEES)

TAES has delivered ca 30 components The results required for the SINOTROPIA project, are

mostly acceptable, i.e. ◦ Major components (pH, Cond, Turb, UV-abs ) are good ◦ Anions/Cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, SO4-S) are overall very good ◦ Nutrients: TOC, PO4-P, Total-P, Total-N range from very good to acceptable

RCEES lack data for a thorough evalution

O.Roeyset, NIVA 29 10.01.2013

Water samples collected and analyzed 154 water samples ◦ River: 37 ◦ River - high flow: 75 ◦ Soil water: 25 ◦ Rain: 11 ◦ Ground water： 2 ◦ Reservoir: 1

Soil water

Soil and river water

P fractions Large variation in soil water Surpriced that P is not higher at high flow, especially the particle bound P

Particulate P 40 %

Free PO4 53 %

Organic P 7 %

Median Rain water

Free PO4 87 %

Organic P 13 %

Median Soil water

Particulate P 64 %

Free PO4 24 %

Organic P 12 %

Median River

Particulate P 24 %

Free PO4 70 %

Organic P 6 %

Median River high flow

0,0

1,0

2,0

3,0

4,0

5,0

6,0

7,0

8,0

Rain Soil water River River highflow

mg

P/L

Total P

Total P

Max

Min

Median

P in soil water Surprising high values in orchards High Free PO4 in Orchards

- Due to over-fertilization?

0,000

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

Forest Farm Orchard Vegetable

Phosphorous in soil water

Avg

max

min

Med

0 %

10 %

20 %

30 %

40 %

50 %

60 %

70 %

80 %

90 %

100 %

Forest Farm Orchard Vegetable

Free PO4

Org P

Soil samples 44 soil samples

from sites where lysimeters are installed

Soil chemistry Low organic content Typically it is usually higehst in the Ap

Not large differences in Total N Highest in the Ap of the Orchards

0,00

0,50

1,00

1,50

2,00

2,50

3,00

3,50

4,00

4,50

Ap B Ap B Ap B Ap B

w/w

% O

rgan

ic m

atte

r

Forest Orchard Farmland Garden

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Ap B Ap B Ap B Ap B

TN m

g/K

g

Forest Orchard Farmland Garden

Episode studies 4 streams: Baxianshan river

bridge ◦ Mountain stream

Lin river bridge ◦ Major river

Liuxiangying river ◦ Small stream

Xiaojugezhuang bridge ◦ Typical stream

Liuxiangying river

0,0

0,1

0,1

0,2

0,2

0,3

0,3

0,4

1.4. 21.5. 10.7. 29.8.

P (m

g/L)

Free PO4

Particualte P

Org-P

0,00

1,00

2,00

3,00

4,00

5,00

6,00

7,00

8,00

9,00

5,00

5,50

6,00

6,50

7,00

7,50

8,00

8,50

9,00

9,50

1.4. 21.5. 10.7. 29.8.

Alka

linity

(mm

ol/L

)

pH

pH

Alkalinity

0,0

2,0

4,0

6,0

8,0

10,0

12,0

14,0

16,0

18,0

20,0

0,000

0,100

0,200

0,300

0,400

0,500

0,600

0,700

1.4. 21.5. 10.7. 29.8.

DO

C (m

g/L)

UV

abso

rben

cy

OD254nm

TOC

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

02468

101214161820

1.4. 21.5. 10.7. 29.8.

TIC

(mg/

L)

Turb

(NTU

)

Turb

TIC0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1.4. 21.5. 10.7. 29.8.

NH

4-N

(mg/

L)

K (m

g/L)

K+NH4+-N

When the Turbidity increases the pH, Alkalinity and TIC decreases

Part-P follow Turbidity Highest Free PO4 before or after the peak in Turbidity

NH4 peak along with high Turbidity

Xiaojugezhuang bridge

When the Turbidity increases the pH, Alkalinity and TIC decreases

Part-P follow Turbidity Highest Free PO4 in the last peak runoff

NH4 peak in the 1st small flush, K in the main flush

0,00

1,00

2,00

3,00

4,00

5,00

6,00

7,00

8,00

9,00

5,00

5,50

6,00

6,50

7,00

7,50

8,00

20.6. 30.6. 10.7. 20.7. 30.7. 9.8.

Alka

linity

(mm

ol/L

)

pH

pH

Alkalinity

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

20.6. 30.6. 10.7. 20.7. 30.7. 9.8.

TIC

(mg/

L)

Turb

(NTU

)

Turb

TIC

0,02,04,06,08,010,012,014,016,018,020,0

0,000

0,050

0,100

0,150

0,200

0,250

0,300

20.6. 30.6. 10.7. 20.7. 30.7. 9.8.

DO

C (m

g/L)

UV

abso

rben

cy

OD254nmTOC

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

02468

101214161820

20.6. 30.6. 10.7. 20.7. 30.7. 9.8.

NH

4-N

(mg/

L)

K (m

g/L)

K+NH4+-N

0,00,10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,9

20.6. 30.6. 10.7. 20.7. 30.7. 9.8.

P (m

g/L)

Free PO4Particualte POrg-P

Society: Structures and driving forces Nutrient sources should be put into a

structural framwork and contextualised ◦ Local communities in the context of structural

frames Map central indicators and identify driving forces TAES has already done much work in this field by

collecting data: Summarise and identify gaps in knowledge

Geir Orderud NIBR

Society: Identifying local socio-cultural and socio-economic patterns and attitudes

Main empirical sources: ◦ Survey and in-depth interviews Survey was conducted spring 2012. In-depth interviews to be conducted during

January/February 2013

◦ Survey focussing on a wide range of topics/issues Environmental awareness and motivational aspects for

farming Information sources and knowledge about envrionmental

aspects of farming Local community and Belonging

Geir Orderud NIBR

Society: policies and management Achieving aims of transdisciplinary

research/process: ◦ Input and discussions with on-going work in other

work packages ◦ Contact with and interaction with local leaders: Policy-makers and management (on different

adminstrative levels) Village leaders, county officials in Ji county Tianjin municipality? Hebei?

Input for Work Package 5 – Nutrient management plan for YuQiao reservoir

Geir Orderud NIBR

Planned output

Nutrient management plan for Yuqiao reservoir ◦ including a conceptual model for

pre-warning of algal blooms and pollution control for blue-green algae – pilot implementation in two villages

Improve public awareness regarding nutrient pollution

SinoTropia introduction

Working together? Preservation of water resources

through precautionary principle ◦ Solving the problem up-stream

rather than end-of-pipe Partnership in a innovative and

inclusive project with a trans-disciplinary approach

Contributing to the Tianjin goal of scientific development and social harmony

SinoTropia introduction

Thank you for your attention