Northern Nordic river mouth N:P:Si stoichiometry shows limited evidence of Si depletion
River mouth nitrogen: phosphorus: silicon (N:P:Si) stoichiometry can predict marine eutrophication potential. Furthermore, deviations from Redfield molar N: P:Si = 16:1:20 ratios can offer insight into limiting nutrients and risks for harmful algal blooms (HAB). Here, we present N:P:Si stoichiometry based on total P, dissolved inorganic N and dissolved Si for 88 coastal river mouths in Norway, Sweden and Finland between 2017 and 2024. Rivers ranged from ultra-oligotrophic to hyper-eutrophic. N and P concentrations increased from north to south, with no latitudinal Si gradient. Most rivers were either P or jointly NP depleted relative to Si, with no overall evidence of Si depletion. However, there was some evidence of seasonal Si depletion. We show how using multi-element approaches, e.g., the Index of Coastal Eutrophication Potential (ICEP) can help to guide management actions. Specifically, Using Si depletion relative to N and P concentrations as an indicator of HAB potential may offer a means to identify catchments where nutrient load reductions can have the largest benefit on marine ecosystem health. Such multi-element approaches can complement single nutrient assessments based on, e.g., the Carlson Trophic Status Index or Water Framework Directive status class assessments.
Authors
- Anastasija Isidorova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4634-527X)
- Dominika Krzeminska (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4647-4928)
- Jens Fölster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3069-4272)
- Martin Forsius (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0125-5120)
- Eva Skarbøvik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2332-5441)
- Emma Lannergård (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0301-1314)
- Katri Rankinen
- James Sample (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0861-3982)
- Katarina Kyllmar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2547-2285)
- Martyn N. Futter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9789-7138)
- Brian Kronvang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1165-1354)
- Heleen A. de Wit (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5646-5390)
- Lars Sonesten (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4792-9522)
- Øyvind Kaste (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5493-3629)
- Joachim Audet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5839-8793)
- Csilla Farkas
Institutions
- University of Oslo (NO)
- Aarhus University (DK)
- Finnish Environment Institute (FI)
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NO)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE)
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2026-01-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-34052-w
- Primary Topic
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- European Commission
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme