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A Simple Model of Nitrogen Concentration, Throughput, and Denitrification in Estuaries
Citation:
DETTMANN, E. H. AND H. A. WALKER. A Simple Model of Nitrogen Concentration, Throughput, and Denitrification in Estuaries. Presented at NEERS/Atlantic Canada Coastal Estuarine Science Society Meeting, St. Andrews, NB, CANADA, May 13 - 15, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of this work is to use output from the USGS SPARROW Model to predict annual average concentrations, throughput, and denitrification of total nitrogen in estuaries in support of the development of nutrient criteria.
Description:
The Estuary Nitrogen Model (ENM) is a mass balance model that includes calculation of nitrogen losses within bays and estuaries using system flushing time. The model has been used to demonstrate the dependence of throughput and denitrification of nitrogen in bays and estuaries on flushing time. The model has also been successfully used to predict average concentrations of total nitrogen in bays and estuaries based on rate of input of nitrogen from the watershed, system volume and flushing time, and calculated input across the seaward boundary. The ENM can be used to compare contributions of inputs from the watershed and across the seaward boundary to in-estuary concentrations of total nitrogen, and provides estimates of the sensitivity of these concentrations to nitrogen loading from the watershed. When riverine loading rates are based on output from USGS SPARROW models, one can estimate total riverine nitrogen attributable to different sources: e.g. point, nonpoint, atmospheric. This is useful in assessing the likely consequences of different nitrogen control strategies, including relocation of outfalls, advanced treatment at sewage treatment plants, or changes in air emissions that result in reduced atmospheric deposition.