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NLA 2027 Research Indicator: N2 saturation
Citation:
Beaulieu, J. AND T. Scott. NLA 2027 Research Indicator: N2 saturation. 2027 National Lakes Assessment Steering Committee Meeting, Virtual, OH, July 14, 2026.
Impact/Purpose:
This sub-product is a research proposal to be delivered to the National Lakes Assessment Steering Committee. The audience includes internal EPA staff and external partners.
Description:
This Sub-Product describes a new approach for identifying waterbodies where excess algae abundance can be mitigated through reductions in external nitrogen loading. This is important because nitrogen availability in lakes can be rapidly reduced when external inputs are eliminated, whereas other nutrients, including phosphorus, can be maintained a high levels through internal recycling, even when external loading has been eliminated. Identifying the subset of US lakes that are likely to respond to nitrogen management is an important step toward restoring US lakes.