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. 2021 Nov 26;11(1):23015.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-02521-7.

Excessive application of chemical fertilizer and organophosphorus pesticides induced total phosphorus loss from planting causing surface water eutrophication

Liyuan Liu  1 , Xiangqun Zheng  2 , Xiaocheng Wei  2 , Zhang Kai  2 , Yan Xu  3
Affiliations

Excessive application of chemical fertilizer and organophosphorus pesticides induced total phosphorus loss from planting causing surface water eutrophication

Liyuan Liu et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Total phosphorus (TP) loss from planting was one of the resources causing agricultural non-point source pollution. It is significant to clarify the factors influencing TP loss, as well as explore the relationship between TP loss from planting and surface water eutrophication for making recommendations on the reduction of environmental pollution. In this study, the minimum and maximum of average TP loss was appeared in Qinghai and Shandong province with the TP loss of 7.7 × 102 t and 7.5 × 103 t from 2012 to 2014, respectively. The results of structural equation model (SEM) indicating that the effect of anthropogenic drivers on TP loss was more important than natural conditions due to the higher path coefficient of anthropogenic drivers (0.814) than that of natural conditions (0.130). For anthropogenic drivers, the path coefficients of usage of fertilizer and pesticides, which was often excessively applied in China, were 0.921 and 0.909, respectively causing they the two dominant factors affecting TP loss. Annual precipitation and relative humidity, which were belongs to natural conditions, increased TP loss by enhancing leaching and surface runoff. However, light duration could reduce TP loss by promoting crop growth and increasing TP absorption of crops, with a path coefficient of - 0.920. TP loss of each province in per unit area from planting was significantly correlated with TP concentration of its surface water (p < 0.05), suggesting that TP loss from planting was the main factor causing surface water eutrophication. This study targeted presented three proposals to reduce the TP loss from planting, including promotion of scientific fertilization technologies, restriction of organophosphorus pesticides, and popularization of water saving irrigation technologies. These findings as well as suggestions herein would provide direction for the reduction of TP loss from planting.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
TP loss, crop sown area and the ratio of TP loss to sown area China from 2012 to 2014.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structural equation model (SEM) illustrating the direct and indirect effects of natural conditions and anthropogenic drivers on TP Loss.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The linear regression between TP loss in per unit area of planting and TP concentration in surface water.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The concept of soil phosphorus cycle from planting and the priority control path for the reduction TP loss.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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