|
|
|
Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Concentrations in Small Streams of the Georgia Piedmont
 |
|
| Abstract: | We are measuring dissolved nitrate and nitrous oxide concentrations and related parameters in 17 headwater streams in the South Fork Broad River, Georgia watershed on a monthly basis. The selected small streams drain watersheds dominated by forest, pasture, residential, or mixed land uses. Mean stream nitrate concentrations are lowest in forested watersheds (0.09 to 0.20 mg N L(-1)) and somewhat higher in streams draining agricultural (0.39 to 0.99 mg N L(-1)) and mixed (0.39 to 1.08 mg N L(-1)) land-use watersheds. One of the residential watersheds showed an appreciably higher mean stream nitrate concentration (1.79 mg N L(-1)) than any of the other watersheds but nitrate levels in the other residential watersheds were similar to those in watersheds with other land uses. Nitrous oxide concentrations vary widely from about 10 nM (approximate atmospheric equilibrium concentration) to greater than 80 nM among the streams. Overall, the streams draining watersheds dominated by residential and agricultural land use have significantly higher dissolved nitrous oxide concentrations than those draining forested watersheds. Our results suggest that small streams could be a significant conduit of nitrous oxide from the terrestrial environment to the atmosphere in some watersheds. |
|
| Citation: | Burke Jr., R. A., and J. Molinero. Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Concentrations in Small Streams of the Georgia Piedmont.Russo, R.C. (ed.), NATO/CCMS Pilot Study: Modeling Nutrient Loads and Response in River and Estuary Systems, Chapter3.4. NATO - CCMS, Brussels, (2005). |
|
|
| Contact: |
Janice Sims - (706) 355-8011 or sims.janice@epa.gov
|
|
| Division: |
Ecosystems Research Division |
|
| Branch: |
Ecosystems Assessment Branch |
|
| Product Type: |
Book Chaptr |
|
| Published: |
06/01/2005 |
|
|
|
