Understanding current and future impacts of public water supply on macronutrient cycles around the world

大量营养素氮（N）和磷（P）是生命所必需的，但也对世界许多地区的生态系统和饮用水质量构成威胁。监管人员最近的研究[1-3]表明，公共供水（PWS）过程与氮和磷的显著通量有关，这是由于抽取和自来水泄漏以及废水排放造成的。除了在英国进行的这项研究之外，人们对这些过程目前如何影响世界各地的常量营养素循环知之甚少，也不知道未来气候和人口变化对这些过程的可能影响。解决这些问题是拟议的博士学位的核心。这项工作是特别重要的，因为全球变化的因素，如提取和泄漏率，氮和磷浓度在原沃茨，以及环境监管的程度可能会驱动显着变化的影响PWS对N和P循环在世界各地。预计正在快速发展的国家将看到PWS基础设施的急剧变化，随着大规模水转移的提取和发展的增加，这可能会导致PWS对N和P循环的重大影响。在兰开斯特大学，BGS和国内主要合作伙伴之间工作，这个多学科博士学位的首要目标是在三个对比环境中提高对PWS对常量营养素循环影响的概念理解和量化：中国;美国和全球。对于每一个设置，具体目标是：（1）量化与PWS过程相关的当前N和P通量;（2）模拟PWS未来变化的影响（例如，在提取、分配、渗漏、废水处理和水转移方面的变化）对氮和磷通量的影响;以及（3）将完成目标（1）和（2）的工作扩展到其他常量营养素（例如碳），以及其他可能感兴趣的元素，例如二氧化硅。

The macronutrients Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) are essential for life, yet also represent threats to both ecosystem and drinking water quality in many parts of the world. Recent research by the supervisors [1-3] revealed that public water supply (PWS) processes are associated with significant fluxes of N and P, due to abstraction and mains water leakage alongside wastewater discharge. Beyond this research conducted in the UK, very little is known about how these processes currently influence macronutrient cycles around the world, nor about the likely impacts of future changes in climate and population on these processes. Addressing these issues lies at the heart of the proposed PhD. This work is particularly important because global variation in factors such as abstraction and leakage rates, N and P concentrations in raw waters, and the extent of environmental regulation will likely drive significant variation in the impacts of PWS on N and P cycles around the world. Countries undergoing rapid development are expected to see drastic changes in PWS infrastructure, with increases in abstraction and development of large-scale water transfers, which may result in significant impacts of PWS on N and P cycles. Working between Lancaster University, BGS and key in-country partners, this multidisciplinary PhD has the overarching aim of developing improved conceptual understanding and quantification of the impact of PWS on macronutrient cycles in three contrasting settings: China; USA and globally. For each setting, specific objectives are to: (1) Quantify current N and P fluxes associated with PWS processes; (2) Model the impact of future changes in PWS (e.g. changes in abstraction, distribution, leakage, wastewater treatment and water transfers) on N and P fluxes; and(3) Extend the work to complete objectives (1) and (2) to other macronutrients (e.g. carbon), alongside other elements of potential interest, e.g. silica.