Reducing future nitrogen pollution in rivers of the Bay of Bengal

We analyse past and future trends in nitrogen (N) export by rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal (BOB) from sources at a sub-basin scale. Many rivers of BOB were polluted in 2010. Over half of N in these rivers was from anthropogenic sources. In the future, rivers may export more N to the BOB. We explore options to reduce future N pollution and coastal eutrophication.

Coastal eutrophication is largely caused by increasing amounts of nitrogen (N) in rivers. We analyse past and future trends in total dissolved N (TDN) export by rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal (BOB) from sources at a sub-basin scale. We explore options to reduce TDN in rivers and to avoid coastal eutrophication in 2050. This can contribute to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.