Net Anthropogenic Nitrogen Input and Its Relationship with Riverine Nitrogen Flux in a Typical Irrigated Area of China Based on an Improved NANI Budgeting Model

Abstract

Excessive nitrogen (N) inputs from human activities in the watershed have resulted in water quality deterioration and other biological hazards. It is therefore critical to fully understand the anthropogenic N inputs and their potential impacts on regional water quality. In this study, a modified net anthropogenic nitrogen input (NANI) budgeting model considering the irrigation N input was developed and applied to investigate spatial–temporal variations of anthropogenic N inputs and their relationship with riverine N flux from 2005 to 2019 in a semi-arid irrigated watershed, Ulansuhai Nur watershed (UNW), China. The results showed that the annual average anthropogenic N inputs reached 14,048.0 kg N km−2 yr−1 without a significant temporal change trend. Chemical N fertilizer was the major contributor for watershed NANI and accounted for 75.3% of total NANI. Hotspots for N inputs were located in the central part of the watershed. In this study, watershed NANI does not have a significant regression relationship with riverine N export during the study period. Riverine N export showed an obvious decreased trend, which mainly was attributed to human activities. In addition, approximately 1.92% of NANI was delivered into the water body. Additionally, the N inputs into the watershed by the irrigation water accounted for 9.9% of total NANI. This study not only expands the application range of the NANI model in irrigated watersheds, but also provides useful information for watershed N management strategies.