Journal article
Thresholds of lake and reservoir connectivity in river networks control nitrogen removal
Nature communications, Vol.9(1), pp.2779-10
07/17/2018
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05156-x
PMCID: PMC6050239
PMID: 30018449
Abstract
Lakes, reservoirs, and other ponded waters are ubiquitous features of the aquatic landscape, yet their cumulative role in nitrogen removal in large river basins is often unclear. Here we use predictive modeling, together with comprehensive river water quality, land use, and hydrography datasets, to examine and explain the influences of more than 18,000 ponded waters on nitrogen removal through river networks of the Northeastern United States. Thresholds in pond density where ponded waters become important features to regional nitrogen removal are identified and shown to vary according to a ponded waters’ relative size, network position, and degree of connectivity to the river network, which suggests worldwide importance of these new metrics. Consideration of the interacting physical and biological factors, along with thresholds in connectivity, reveal where, why, and how much ponded waters function differently than streams in removing nitrogen, what regional water quality outcomes may result, and in what capacity management strategies could most effectively achieve desired nitrogen loading reduction.
Lakes, reservoirs, and other ponded waters are common in large river basins yet their influence on nitrogen budgets is often indistinct. Here, the authors show how a ponded waters’ relative size, shape, and degree of connectivity to the river network control nitrogen removal.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Thresholds of lake and reservoir connectivity in river networks control nitrogen removal
- Creators
- Noah M. Schmadel - United States Geological SurveyJudson W. Harvey - United States Geological SurveyRichard B. Alexander - United States Geological SurveyGregory E. Schwarz - United States Geological SurveyRichard B. Moore - United States Geological SurveyKen Eng - United States Geological SurveyJesus D. Gomez-Velez - Vanderbilt UniversityElizabeth W. Boyer - Pennsylvania State UniversityDurelle Scott - Virginia Tech
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Nature communications, Vol.9(1), pp.2779-10
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41467-018-05156-x
- PMID
- 30018449
- PMCID
- PMC6050239
- NLM abbreviation
- Nat Commun
- ISSN
- 2041-1723
- eISSN
- 2041-1723
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group UK
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/17/2018
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984962626502771
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