Modern changes of nutrients’ removal into the southern forest zone rivers of Volga basin

Abstract

The article analyzes on the example of the Linda river basin, the tributary of the Cheboksary reservoir, contribution of the main elements of its vertical hydrological structure (precipitation, surface and underground runoff, verhovodka runoff) in the formation of nutrients removal from rivers catchments in the southern forest zone of the Russian plain. The removal of nutrients from the Linda river catchment area with various elements of water flow for the year, its high-water and low-water periods was calculated. It is shown that due to the increased role of the changed hydro-climatic conditions, especially due to the increased flow of infiltration origin (underground and verhovodka runoff), the nutrients removal has increased in recent years. Anthropogenic component of nutrient leaching into the Cheboksary reservoir from Linda river catchment was identified. It is reduced in recent decades by the background dispersion in the catchment, diffuse nutrients leaching to surface and underground flow of natural origin.