Global NEWS (Global Nutrient Export from WaterSheds) Model
The Benefits
In short- Simulates river nutrient export
- Quantifies nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, silica
- Distinguishes point and diffuse sources
- Accounts for retention and losses
- Supports global and future scenario analyses
Global NEWS simulates global river export of nutrients, quantifying sources, retention, and eutrophication potential, supporting scenario analyses of human activities and river basin nutrient dynamics.
About Global NEWS
The Global NEWS (Global Nutrient Export from WaterSheds) model simulates river export of nutrients from land to coastal seas, including nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and silica in dissolved inorganic, organic, and particulate forms. It calculates the source attribution of these elements and the Indicator for Coastal Eutrophication Potential (ICEP). Global NEWS distinguishes between point sources, such as sewage effluents from wastewater treatment plants, and diffuse sources, such as nutrient runoff from fertilised and non-fertilised soils. Nutrient retention and losses in the river network, including denitrification, water consumption, and damming, are also accounted for. Simulations are performed globally for over six thousand river basins at 0.5° × 0.5° resolution, using inputs from the IMAGE model for human activities and the WBM for hydrology and climate. Past, present, and future years (1970, 2000, 2030, 2050) are simulated, with future projections based on Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) scenarios.
Figure: Examples of the Global NEWS model inputs (A) and outputs (B) for 2050 according to the Global Orchestration scenario of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. N = nitrogen.
Applications and Current Developments
The Global NEWS approach has been used for studies of nutrient export in different continents and specific regions, including seasonal analyses. Models developed at the WSG group for river export of plastics and triclosan follow the Global NEWS approach. The MARINA model for sub-basin nutrient export in China is also based on Global NEWS. Current developments at the WSG group focus on improving hydrological input by implementing the VIC model.
Further Reading
Main Publications:
Global Nutrient Export from WaterSheds 2 (NEWS 2): Model development and implementation
Mayorga, E., Seitzinger, S.P., Harrison, J.A., Dumont, E.L., Beusen, A.H.W., Bouwman, A.F., Fekete, B.M., Kroeze, C., van Drecht, G.(2010) Environmental Modelling & Software (2010), Volume: 25, Issue: 7 - ISSN 1364-8152 - p. 837-853.
Global River Nutrient Export: A Scenario Analysis of Past and Future Trends
Seitzinger, S.P., Mayorga, E., Bouwman, A.F., Kroeze, C., Beusen, A.H.W., Billen, G., van Drecht, G., Dumont, E.L., Fekete, B.M., Garnier, J., Harrison, J.(2010) Global Biogeochemical Cycles (2010), Volume: 24 - ISSN 0886-6236
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about Global NEWS? Reach out to our expert:
prof.dr. C (Carolien) Kroeze
Rector magnificus / vice president executive board
