Summary
This study used novel spatial statistical methods to characterise phosphorus concentrations and their spatial variability in channel bank sediment across three nested catchments. Channel bank TP concentrations ranged from 129.6 to 1206.9 mg P kg⁻¹, with stream order identified as a significant driver of variability, whilst land use and catchment scale exerted only moderate influence. The findings suggest that targeted channel bank sampling strategies focused at larger catchment scales, provided stream order is adequately represented, could capture key drivers of phosphorus variability relevant to catchment management.
UK applicability
Given the apparent UK study location and the focus on catchment-scale phosphorus dynamics, these findings are directly applicable to United Kingdom water quality and agricultural diffuse pollution management. The methodological approach and spatial characterisation of channel bank phosphorus could inform UK catchment management strategies and phosphorus source apportionment studies under Water Framework Directive implementation.
Key measures
Total phosphorus (TP) concentration (mg P kg⁻¹); water-extractable phosphorus (WEP) as percentage of total; stream order; land use classification; bank exposure status; catchment scale
Outcomes reported
The study measured total phosphorus (TP) and water-extractable phosphorus (WEP) concentrations across channel bank profiles in three nested catchments, and examined how spatial variability was influenced by stream order, land use, catchment scale, bank exposure and location along the stream network.
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