407 / 2024-09-16 13:54:47

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) and nitrogen export from major eastern rivers to coastal waters in China: The spatiotemporal patterns with effects of urbanization and climate change

DOM; nitrogen; eastern rivers; export; urbanization; climate change

At a global scale, 80% of marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) and nitrogen (N) originate from riverine transport, leading to significant damage to marine water quality, such as eutrophication, algal blooms, and hypoxia. However, challenges remain in understanding the transport processes of DOM and N to the marine system, as well as in predictive modeling of estuarine water quality in large river systems. In this study, we focused on major eastern rivers entering the coastal sea to simulate the transport of DOM and N within the land-river-estuary system. These rivers cover a varied of climate zone, with diversified land use and urbanization patterns. Our study will help to understand the key processes of DOM and N sources, their transportation and impacts on coastal seas in China, providing valuable insights for maintaining marine water quality, protecting the ecological environment, and optimizing pollution management strategies under changing human activities and climate.