Extreme runoff events in agricultural streams drive harmful algal blooms.
Eutrophication is a big problem in water quality worldwide. This study looked at phosphorus losses from agricultural streams during heavy rain. They found that extreme events can lead to a lot of phosphorus getting into the water, with as few as three big storms causing half of the phosphorus losses. The type of phosphorus (dissolved or total) varied depending on the flow of the water. This research helps us understand how phosphorus moves in water and how it affects the environment.