Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

SS31 Integrated Approaches to Drainage Basin Nutrient Inputs and Inland/Coastal Eutrophication (Science and Society Connections)

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001, Time: 10:30:00 AM

Location: Cimarron

Paerl, H, W, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC 28557, USA, hans_paerl@unc.edu

Whitall, D, R, Univ. of North Carolina, Instit. of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC 28557, USA, psu-fan@email.unc.edu

INTEGRATING ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION OF NITROGEN IN ESTUARINE AND COASTAL NUTRIENT CYCLING AND EUTROPHICATION DYNAMICS

During the past century, atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (AD-N) has increased several fold and now accounts for 10 to over 40% of external, or “new” N loading to N limited coastal waters. Ecological impacts of this growing N source have include eutrophication and algal bloom expansion. Regionally and globally, AD-N from urbanization (NOx and NH4+) and agricultural expansion (NH4+ and possibly organic N) has increased in coastal airsheds. Intensification of animal (swine, poultry) operations in regions of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Western Europe have been linked to increased NH4+ deposition. Increasing amounts and altered chemical composition of AD-N require investigation because such changes can alter primary production and algal community composition in downwind N-limited waters. In combination with other atmospheric nutrient sources (e.g., Fe) AD-N is a particularly potent stimulant of primary production in these waters. Because of its relatively large and growing contribution to total new N (and other nutrient) loading and ecological importance, AD-N should be integrated in air/watershed nutrient budgeting and management strategies aimed at reducing anthropogenic nutrient pollution of estuarine and coastal waters.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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