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.

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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

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article

Northern Nordic river mouth N:P:Si stoichiometry shows limited evidence of Si depletion

Anastasija Isidorova, Dominika Krzeminska, Jens Fölster, Martin Forsius et al.
Scientific Reports
Marine and coastal ecosystems
article

Northern Nordic river mouth N:P:Si stoichiometry shows limited evidence of Si depletion

Anastasija Isidorova, Dominika Krzeminska, Jens Fölster, Martin Forsius, Eva Skarbøvik, Emma Lannergård, Katri Rankinen, James Sample, Katarina Kyllmar, Martyn N. Futter, Brian Kronvang, Heleen A. de Wit, Lars Sonesten, Øyvind Kaste, Joachim Audet, Csilla Farkas
article en

Abstract

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.

Scientific ReportsVol. 16(1)
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)
European Commission, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 94%
Marine and coastal ecosystems
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