Journal article
Reactive nitrogen inputs to US lands and waterways: how certain are we about sources and fluxes?
Frontiers in ecology and the environment, Vol.11(2), pp.82-90
03/01/2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/124027
Abstract
An overabundance of reactive nitrogen (N) as a result of anthropogenic activities has led to multiple human health and environmental concerns. Efforts to address these concerns require an accurate accounting of N inputs. Here, we present a novel synthesis of data describing N inputs to the US, including the range of estimates, spatial patterns, and uncertainties. This analysis shows that human-mediated N inputs are ubiquitous across the country but are spatially heterogeneous, ranging from <0.1 to 34.6 times the background N input for individual water-resource units (8-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes). The Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, central California, and portions of the Columbia River valley currently receive the highest N loads. Major opportunities to advance our understanding of N sources can be achieved by: (1) enhancing the spatial and temporal resolution of agricultural N input data, (2) improving livestock and human waste monitoring, and (3) better quantifying biological N fixation in non-cultivated ecosystems. Front Ecol Environ 2013; 11(2): 82-90, doi:10.1890/110216 (published online 11 Feb 2013)
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Details
- Title
- Reactive nitrogen inputs to US lands and waterways: how certain are we about sources and fluxes?
- Creators
- Daniel J Sobota - Residence Inn by MarriottJana E Compton - Environmental Protection AgencyJohn A Harrison - Washington State University Vancouver
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in ecology and the environment, Vol.11(2), pp.82-90
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAS); Harrison Research Group: Global Change and Watershed Biochemistry
- Publisher
- WILEY
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- National Research Council Research Associateship Award at the Western Ecology Division of the EPA in Corvallis, OR
- Identifiers
- 99900667895501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article