Articles | Volume 13, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-2441-2016
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-2441-2016
Research article
 | 
27 Apr 2016
Research article |  | 27 Apr 2016

Global riverine N and P transport to ocean increased during the 20th century despite increased retention along the aquatic continuum

Arthur H. W. Beusen, Alexander F. Bouwman, Ludovicus P. H. Van Beek, José M. Mogollón, and Jack J. Middelburg

Data sets

Global riverine nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) input, retention and export during the 20th century A.H.W. Beusen A.F. Bouwman L.P.H. Van Beek J.M. Mogollón J.B.M. Middelburg https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-zgs-9k9m

Short summary
Intensifying anthropogenic activity over the 20th century including agriculture, water consumption, urbanization, and aquaculture has almost doubled the global nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) delivery to streams and steadily increased the N : P ratio in freshwater bodies. Concurrently, the cumulative number of reservoirs has driven a rise in freshwater nutrient retention and removal. Still, river nutrient transport to the ocean has also nearly doubled, potentially stressing coastal environments.
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