Smart Nutrient Retention Networks for good water quality and sustainable nutrient use

A PhD Project by Dianneke van Wijk.

Research introduction

Nutrients are a limited resource for food production but part of them are lost in the ocean. Nutrients cause water quality problems in surface waters.

Research challenges

The objectives of this PhD research are to (1) study the positive feedback loop between nutrient loading, water quality and nutrient retention in hydrological networks; and (2) to develop smart nutrient retention networks (SNRNs) to improve water quality and recycle valuable nutrients. Smart Nutrient Retention Networks combine management strategies to optimize nutrient retention to reach network wide improved water quality.

Dianneke will explore and demonstrate the potential of SNRNs through review of existing knowledge and models, nutrient retention network model development, scenario analysis at multiple scales and considering global change.

The figure on the right displays conceptual flow diagrams showing phosphorus flows in hydrological networks. In the algae dominated state, phosphorus is lost to the ocean, but in water plant dominated systems retention in harvestable phosphorus sinks (spheres) reduces this loss.