Combined ecological risks of nitrogen and phosphorus in European freshwaters

Azevedo, Ligia B.; van Zelm, Rosalie; Leuven, Rob S.E.W.; Hendriks, A Jan; Huijbregts, Mark A.J.

Combined ecological risks of nitrogen and phosphorus in European freshwaters

2015

Azevedo, Ligia B. | van Zelm, Rosalie | Leuven, Rob S.E.W. | Hendriks, A Jan | Huijbregts, Mark A.J.

Eutrophication is a key water quality issue triggered by increasing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels and potentially posing risks to freshwater biota. We predicted the probability that an invertebrate species within a community assemblage becomes absent due to nutrient stress as the ecological risk (ER) for European lakes and streams subjected to N and P pollution from 1985 to 2011. The ER was calculated as a function of species-specific tolerances to NO3− and total P concentrations and water quality monitoring data. Lake and stream ER averaged 50% in the last monitored year (i.e. 2011) and we observed a decrease by 22% and 38% in lake and stream ER (respectively) of river basins since 1985. Additionally, the ER from N stress surpassed that of P in both freshwater systems. The ER can be applied to identify river basins most subjected to eutrophication risks and the main drivers of impacts.

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