A landscape level analysis of potential excess nitrogen in east-central North Carolina, USA
- ORNL
The objective of this research was to arrive at an assessment of potential excess nitrogen (N) under different land cover categories in the Neuse River Basin (North Carolina, USA) on a seasonal basis. Data on five processes (atmospheric N deposition, fertilization, net soil N mineralization, plant uptake, and denitrification) that contribute to potential excess N under different land cover categories were obtained from a literature review. Factors were also estimated to apportion annual N fluxes among different seasons of the year. Potential excess N was calculated as the difference between inputs to and outputs from an inorganic N pool. If inputs exceeded outputs, then the difference was assumed to represent N at risk of loss from the landscape to surface receiving waters and groundwaters. Land covers that were classified as potential N sources were influenced by soil N inventories and rates of net soil N mineralization (which is a natural process). The results indicated that there are large land areas in the Neuse River Basin that could be classified as either a N source or a N sink. Such areas are potentially sensitive because future changes in land use, or small alterations in N fluxes, could convert areas that are essentially in balance with respect to N biogeochemistry into the N source or N sink category. In this respect, model predictions indicate that the timing of N inputs and outputs on the landscape can be a critical determinant of potential excess N.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 989637
- Journal Information:
- Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, Vol. 146, Issue 1-4; ISSN 0049-6979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Municipal wastewater effects on nitrogen cycling in a mature hardwood forest
An update on the natural sources and sinks of atmospheric mercury