Impact of transboundary water flows on quality-induced water pressure in China

Abstract Quality-induced water pressure (P) is gaining increased attention. With the flows of transboundary water, P can be transferred among upstream and downstream regions. Here, we quantified the magnitude of pollutant transmission, and assessed its impact on individual provinces in China. On the...

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Main Authors: Shuman Liu, Junguo Liu, Dandan Zhao, Hong Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Communications Earth & Environment
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02142-2
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author Shuman Liu
Junguo Liu
Dandan Zhao
Hong Yang
author_facet Shuman Liu
Junguo Liu
Dandan Zhao
Hong Yang
author_sort Shuman Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Quality-induced water pressure (P) is gaining increased attention. With the flows of transboundary water, P can be transferred among upstream and downstream regions. Here, we quantified the magnitude of pollutant transmission, and assessed its impact on individual provinces in China. On the annual basis, P was mitigated in 61% of provinces for Chemical Oxygen Demand, 87% for Ammonia Nitrogen, and 84% for Total Phosphorus, while it was intensified for 77% for Total Nitrogen in 2021. The aggregated P were mitigated in 68% of provinces, while intensified in 32% provinces. Furthermore, the monthly assessment has found that the impact of transboundary water on P varies seasonally, generally alleviating in winter and exacerbating in summer. This fluctuation was attributed to the comparatively higher quality of transboundary inflows during winter relative to local water quality. This study provides a scientific foundation for effective water management and quality control.
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issn 2662-4435
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spelling doaj-art-a8e4d743f3a0470fa18360f95ca4bc452025-08-20T02:59:37ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352025-02-016111210.1038/s43247-025-02142-2Impact of transboundary water flows on quality-induced water pressure in ChinaShuman Liu0Junguo Liu1Dandan Zhao2Hong Yang3School of Environment Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and TechnologySchool of Environment Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and TechnologyInstitute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University2w2e Environmental Consulting GmbH, Mettlenweg 3Abstract Quality-induced water pressure (P) is gaining increased attention. With the flows of transboundary water, P can be transferred among upstream and downstream regions. Here, we quantified the magnitude of pollutant transmission, and assessed its impact on individual provinces in China. On the annual basis, P was mitigated in 61% of provinces for Chemical Oxygen Demand, 87% for Ammonia Nitrogen, and 84% for Total Phosphorus, while it was intensified for 77% for Total Nitrogen in 2021. The aggregated P were mitigated in 68% of provinces, while intensified in 32% provinces. Furthermore, the monthly assessment has found that the impact of transboundary water on P varies seasonally, generally alleviating in winter and exacerbating in summer. This fluctuation was attributed to the comparatively higher quality of transboundary inflows during winter relative to local water quality. This study provides a scientific foundation for effective water management and quality control.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02142-2
spellingShingle Shuman Liu
Junguo Liu
Dandan Zhao
Hong Yang
Impact of transboundary water flows on quality-induced water pressure in China
Communications Earth & Environment
title Impact of transboundary water flows on quality-induced water pressure in China
title_full Impact of transboundary water flows on quality-induced water pressure in China
title_fullStr Impact of transboundary water flows on quality-induced water pressure in China
title_full_unstemmed Impact of transboundary water flows on quality-induced water pressure in China
title_short Impact of transboundary water flows on quality-induced water pressure in China
title_sort impact of transboundary water flows on quality induced water pressure in china
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02142-2
work_keys_str_mv AT shumanliu impactoftransboundarywaterflowsonqualityinducedwaterpressureinchina
AT junguoliu impactoftransboundarywaterflowsonqualityinducedwaterpressureinchina
AT dandanzhao impactoftransboundarywaterflowsonqualityinducedwaterpressureinchina
AT hongyang impactoftransboundarywaterflowsonqualityinducedwaterpressureinchina