Evaluation of agricultural nonpoint source pollution potential risk over China with a Transformed-Agricultural Nonpoint Pollution Potential Index method

Abstract

Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution has been the most important threat to water environment quality. Understanding the spatial distribution of NPS pollution potential risk is important for taking effective measures to control and reduce NPS pollution. A Transformed-Agricultural Nonpoint Pollution Potential Index (T-APPI) model was constructed for evaluating the national NPS pollution potential risk in this study; it was also combined with remote sensing and geographic information system techniques for evaluation on the large scale and at 1 km2 spatial resolution. This model considers many factors contributing to the NPS pollution as the original APPI model, summarized as four indicators of the runoff, sediment production, chemical use and the people and animal load. These four indicators were analysed in detail at 1 km2 spatial resolution throughout China. The T-APPI model distinguished the four indicators into pollution source factors and transport process factors; it also took their relationship into consideration. The studied results showed that T-APPI is a credible and convenient method for NPS pollution potential risk evaluation. The results also indicated that the highest NPS pollution potential risk is distributed in the middle-southern Jiangsu province. Several other regions, including the North China Plain, Chengdu Basin Plain, Jianghan Plain, cultivated lands in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, also showed serious NPS pollution potential. This study can provide a scientific reference for predicting the future NPS pollution risk throughout China and may be helpful for taking reasonable and effective measures for preventing and controlling NPS pollution.

Spatial Network and Driving Factors of Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity in China

“…As for the undesirable outputs, carbon emissions have been widely considered [25][26][27]. However, non-point source pollution is the most serious undesirable output during agricultural production [9] and constitutes the main threat to water quality [28].…”

A Comprehensive Analysis of Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution in China: Current Status, Risk Assessment and Management Strategies

“…At the same time, the lack of relevant monitoring data also limits the research and control of NPS pollution [20]. In view of the limitations of NPS pollution-related data, scholars have studied and developed many assessment models to determine the key source areas in the watershed by analyzing the spatial distribution of NPS pollution [21]. Up to now, the research on spatial distribution and risk assessment of AGNPS pollution has made great progress, the assessment model has provided scientific basis for the prevention and control of AGNPS pollution in the basin, and has also played a positive role in achieving the goal of water pollution control in the basin [22,23].…”

Population growth, land use and land cover transformations, and water quality nexus in the Upper Ganga River basin

“…Anthropogenic activities are directly correlated with decline in the water quality (Haldar et al, 2014). In order to increase crop yield, farmers introduce various chemicals in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc., causing addition of pollutants to the river (Rashid and Romshoo, 2013; A. K. Shukla et al: Population growth, land use and land cover transformations, and water quality nexus Yang et al, 2013). In urban areas, pollutants are introduced from leachates of landfill sites, stormwater runoff and direct dumping of waste (Tsihrintzis and Hamid, 1997).…”