Atmospheric deposition and nitrogen inputs to coastal waters

Recent reports have suggested that the fixed nitrogen which deposits from the atmosphere onto the watershed is a significant fraction of total anthropogenic loading of nitrogen to the Chesapeake Bay. A different approach was used here to estimate the atmospheric contribution of nitrogen to Narragans...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 1991-09, Vol.20 (6), p.256-260
Main Authors: Hinga, K.R, Keller, A.A, Oviatt, C.A. (Rhode Island Univ., Narragansett (USA). Graduate School of Oceanography)
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AGUAS COSTERAS
ATLANTICO SUDOCCIDENTAL
ATLANTIQUE SUD OUEST
Atmospheric deposition
AZOTE
Bays
Brackish
CARGA CONTAMINANTE
CHARGE POLLUANTE
Chesapeake Bay
COASTAL WATERS
EAUX COTIERES
Eutrophication
Freshwater ecosystems
KATTEGAT
Laholm Bay
Littoral ecosystems
Lotic systems
Marine
Marine ecosystems
Naragansett Bay
New York Bight
NITROGEN
Nitrogen Deposition, Chesapeake Bay
NITROGENO
NONPOINT POLLUTION
Ochlocknoee Bay
POLLUTANT LOAD
POLLUTION DES MERS
POLLUTION DIFFUSE
POLUCION DIFUSA
POLUCION MARINA
SEA POLLUTION
SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC
Terrestrial ecosystems
Watersheds
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Summary:Recent reports have suggested that the fixed nitrogen which deposits from the atmosphere onto the watershed is a significant fraction of total anthropogenic loading of nitrogen to the Chesapeake Bay. A different approach was used here to estimate the atmospheric contribution of nitrogen to Narragansett Bay, the New York Bight, Ochlockonee Bay, Laholm Bay, and Chesapeake Bay. There is probably at least a factor of four uncertainty in loading estimates. The large uncertainty results primarily from fundamental inadequacies in determining the magnitude of a variety of process which control nitrogen behavior in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Using best estimate assumptions, deposition can, in some cases, represent a significant fraction of total anthropogenic nitrogen loading. The best estimates of the contribution of nitrogen reaching these ecosystems via emissions and deposition, relative to the total anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen, ranged from 11% to essentially 100%.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209