Assessing the Impacts of Best Management Practices on Nonpoint Source Pollution Considering Cost-Effectiveness in the Source Area of the Liao River, China

Abstract

Agricultural nonpoint source pollution has been a major influential factor on the deterioration of water quality in the Liao River source area. Best management practices (BMPs), as a comprehensive pollution prevention system designed to reduce the impacts of agricultural activities and improve water quality, has been considered one of the most effective solutions for nonpoint source pollution control. However, economic cost has been an important element for screening the implementation of BMPs. Both pollution reduction and capital expenditure need to be resolved with the actual situation. A water quality model such as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and empirical cost algorithm are important tools to assess the cost-effectiveness of the effects of BMPs on nonpoint source pollution. In this study, BMP scenarios including buffer strips (BSs), fertilizer reduction (FR), forest land increase (FLI), grassland increase (GLI), and their combination were implemented using the SWAT model; furthermore, the efficiency of their pollutants reduction and costs benefit were estimated in the watershed. The results showed that combined BMPs have better control effects than a single BMP, with “BS20 (widths 20 m) + FR15 (fertilization reduction 15%) + FLI (forest land increase)” arriving at the greatest loads reduction in the critical periods. From environmental and economic perspectives, the cost-effectiveness of interception measures is higher than that of the source control measures. The results indicated that BS was the most environmentally friendly practice, and FR was the most economically efficient out of all the BMPs. Regarding land-use changes, FLI was more environmentally friendly, and GLI was more economically efficient. The most economical and effective BMPs can be designated as follows: BS1.5 (widths 1.5 m) and FR15 (fertilization reduction 15%). Therefore, due to possible differences in government policies, it is important to consider an integrated approach for all the relevant actors and seek sustainable environmental and economic development.