# Characteristics of Nutrient Transport in Runoff from Different Land-Use Types on Maozhou Island in the Li River Basin

## TL;DR

This study identifies vegetable plots as the main source of nutrient pollution in runoff on Maozhou Island, with fine particles carrying most pollutants.

## Contribution

The study reveals the role of fine particulate matter (<5 μm) in transporting nutrients and proposes a connectivity-based pollution control strategy.

## Key findings

- Vegetable plots had TP concentrations 25 times above standards and contributed the highest annual load.
- Fine particles (<5 μm) showed the strongest pollutant enrichment, with a strong correlation (r > 0.85) to TP in vegetable fields.
- Pollutant levels varied with rainfall patterns and temperature, and vegetable plots had lower soil adsorption capacity than bamboo forests.

## Abstract

Non-point source pollution poses a severe threat to the water quality of the Li River. This study conducted field monitoring of pollution loads from different land-use types on Maozhou Island in the Li River during the 2023 rainy season. Runoff water quality from vegetable plots, orchards, and bamboo forests consistently exceeded standards, with vegetable plots being the primary source of pollution. Their total phosphorus (TP) concentration exceeded standards by nearly 25 times, contributing the highest annual load. The transport of pollutants (TP, total nitrogen(TN), chemical oxygen demand(CODCr)) was closely correlated with suspended solids (SS), with the finest particles (<5 μm) identified as the primary carrier exhibiting the strongest pollutant enrichment capacity (e.g., in vegetable fields, the correlation coefficient r between < 5 μm particles and TP was >0.85, p < 0.01). Rainfall patterns significantly influenced pollutant concentrations; TN and TP levels increased with preceding dry days, while phosphorus output from vegetable plots decreased with rising average rainfall temperature. Compared to bamboo forests, vegetable plots and orchards exhibited lower soil adsorption capacity. This study recommends a connectivity-based strategy prioritizing the interception of heavily enriched fine particulate matter (<5 μm) through runoff control and enhanced wetland retention functions. These findings underscore the importance of controlling fine particulate matter for reducing non-point source pollution and maintaining ecological health in the Lijiang River basin.