Sources and Delivery of Nutrients to the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico from Streams in the South-Central United States

Journal of the American Water Resources Association
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models were developed to estimate nutrient inputs [total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)] to the northwestern part of the Gulf of Mexico from streams in the South‐Central United States (U.S.). This area included drainages of the Lower Mississippi, Arkansas‐White‐Red, and Texas‐Gulf hydrologic regions. The models were standardized to reflect nutrient sources and stream conditions during 2002. Model predictions of nutrient loads (mass per time) and yields (mass per area per time) generally were greatest in streams in the eastern part of the region and along reaches near the Texas and Louisiana shoreline. The Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River watersheds, which drain nearly two‐thirds of the conterminous U.S., delivered the largest nutrient loads to the Gulf of Mexico, as expected. However, the three largest delivered TN yields were from the Trinity River/Galveston Bay, Calcasieu River, and Aransas River watersheds, while the three largest delivered TP yields were from the Calcasieu River, Mermentau River, and Trinity River/Galveston Bay watersheds. Model output indicated that the three largest sources of nitrogen from the region were atmospheric deposition (42%), commercial fertilizer (20%), and livestock manure (unconfined, 17%). The three largest sources of phosphorus were commercial fertilizer (28%), urban runoff (23%), and livestock manure (confined and unconfined, 23%).

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Sources and Delivery of Nutrients to the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico from Streams in the South-Central United States
Series title Journal of the American Water Resources Association
DOI 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2011.00583.x
Volume 47
Issue 5
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Texas Water Science Center
Description 26 p.
First page 1061
Last page 1086
Country United States
State Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas, Mississippi, Colorado, Missouri, Tennessee
Other Geospatial South-Central United States
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details