title: Phosphorus flow analysis of the socioeconomic ecosystem of Shucheng County, China.
abstract: Human activities disturb the long-term phosphorus (P) cycle in nature, whereby the resulting intensive release of P contributes to the eutrophication of surface water. Hence, a detailed understanding of P flow as it relates to socioeconomic systems is essential for effective nutrient management. This study develops a substance-flow-analysis model for P metabolism for the socioeconomic ecosystem of Shucheng County in Anhui Province in central China as a case study. We estimate P flow using data from questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, published literature, and official statistical databases. Our results show that P flow in Shucheng's current socioeconomic system is linear and openly metabolic. The total P input into Shucheng in 2008 reached 12 748 Mg, mainly as P ores and crops. In all, 43.83% of the total P input was exported, and 30.44% was discharged into surface water. More-balanced nutrient management and options for improving nutrient use efficiency are discussed. The quantifiable, science-based methods used in this study may be applied to neighboring regions of central China for sustainable development and water management.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Peoples' Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zengwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Huijun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000191:economics*; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007221:Industry; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010758:Phosphorus