Atmospheric deposition and nitrogen inputs to coastal waters

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1991

Abstract

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 processes which control nitrogen behaviour 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%. -Authors

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Ambio

Volume

20

Issue

6

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