Spatial and temporal variations in nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients in the Yangtze River Estuary

► Thirty years of N and P data in the Yangtze River Estuary were collected and analyzed. ► N and P concentrations overall increased annually in the three decades. ► The Three Gorge Dam greatly affected the fluctuation of TN, TP and PO4-P. ► A high-concentration area of TN was downstream of the North Branch. ► A high-concentration area of TP was in the South Branch.