Tracking nonpoint source nitrogen pollution in human-impacted watersheds

Environ Sci Technol. 2011 Oct 1;45(19):8225-32. doi: 10.1021/es200779e. Epub 2011 Sep 2.

Abstract

Nonpoint source nitrogen (N) pollution is a leading contributor to U.S. water quality impairments. We combined watershed N mass balances and stable isotopes to investigate fate and transport of nonpoint N in forest, agricultural, and urbanized watersheds at the Baltimore Long-Term Ecological Research site. Annual N retention was 55%, 68%, and 82% for agricultural, suburban, and forest watersheds, respectively. Analysis of δ(15)N-NO(3)(-), and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) indicated wastewater was an important nitrate source in urbanized streams during baseflow. Negative correlations between δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) in urban watersheds indicated mixing between atmospheric deposition and wastewater, and N source contributions changed with storm magnitude (atmospheric sources contributed ∼50% at peak storm N loads). Positive correlations between δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) in watersheds suggested denitrification was removing septic system and agriculturally derived N, but N from belowground leaking sewers was less susceptible to denitrification. N transformations were also observed in a storm drain (no natural drainage network) potentially due to organic carbon inputs. Overall, nonpoint sources such as atmospheric deposition, wastewater, and fertilizer showed different susceptibility to watershed N export. There were large changes in nitrate sources as a function of runoff, and anticipating source changes in response to climate and storms will be critical for managing nonpoint N pollution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Atmosphere / chemistry
  • Baltimore
  • Cities
  • Cyclonic Storms
  • Ecosystem
  • Humans
  • Models, Chemical
  • Nitrates / analysis
  • Nitrogen / analysis*
  • Rural Population
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Pollution / analysis*

Substances

  • Nitrates
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water
  • Nitrogen