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NITROGEN-RELATED ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ALONG A NITROGEN SATURATION GRADIENT IN THE KLAMATH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT RESERVOIRS
Impact/Purpose:
The goal of this study is to quantify summertime denitrification, N sedimentation and nitrous oxide production in the Klamath Hydroelectric Project Reservoirs. Specifically, this research will examine how background N concentrations affect the proportion of N that is removed permanently via denitrification versus the proportion of N buried within more temporary storage pools in the sediment. The study also will examine how background N concentrations affect denitrification efficiency, or the proportion of N converted to dinitrogen versus nitrous oxide.
Description:
Denitrification rates are not expected to scale linearly with system N-status, supporting the notion that Klamath reservoirs are N-saturated. Elevated N concentrations are expected to result in lower rates of denitrification relative to N sedimentation and higher rates of nitrous oxide production relative to dinitrogen production. Overall, it is expected that elevated background N concentrations reduce the ecosystem services provided by reservoir ecosystems.
Potential to Further Environmental/Human Health Protection
Anthropogenically fixed excess nitrogen is associated with a number of serious aquatic and atmospheric pollution issues, including an increase in the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms, the proliferation of coastal hypoxic zones, the contamination of drinking water wells, and increased fluxes of nitrous oxide to the atmosphere. This study will describe how anthropogenic N loading affects N removal processes in reservoirs. This will represent a significant contribution to the understanding of the controls on N-related ecosystem services.