Rapid Nitrate Loss and Denitrification in a Temperate River Floodplain |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Kenneth?J?ForshayEmail author Emily?H?Stanley |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, 445 Birge Hall, Madison, WI 53076, USA |
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Abstract: | Nitrogen (N) pollution is a problem in many large temperate zone rivers, and N retention in river channels is often small
in these systems. To determine the potential for floodplains to act as N sinks during overbank flooding, we combined monitoring,
denitrification assays, and experimental nitrate (NO3− -N) additions to determine how the amount and form of N changed during flooding and the processes responsible for these changes
in the Wisconsin River floodplain (USA). Spring flooding increased N concentrations in the floodplain to levels equal to the
river. As discharge declined and connectivity between the river and floodplain was disrupted, total dissolved N decreased
over 75% from 1.41 mg l−1, equivalent to source water in the Wisconsin River on 14 April 2001, to 0.34 mg l−1 on 22 April 2001. Simultaneously NO3− -N was attenuated almost 100% from 1.09 to <0.002 mg l−1. Unamended sediment denitrification rates were moderate (0–483 μg m−2 h−1) and seasonally variable, and activity was limited by the availability of NO
3− -N on all dates. Two experimental NO3− -N pulse additions to floodplain water bodies confirmed rapid NO3− -N depletion. Over 80% of the observed NO
3− -N decline was caused by hydrologic export for addition #1 but only 22% in addition #2. During the second addition, a significant
fraction (>60%) of NO3− -N mass loss was not attributable to hydrologic losses or conversion to other forms of N, suggesting that denitrification
was likely responsible for most of the NO3− -N disappearance. Floodplain capacity to decrease the dominant fraction of river borne N within days of inundation demonstrates
that the Wisconsin River floodplain was an active N sink, that denitrification often drives N losses, and that enhancing connections
between rivers and their floodplains may enhance overall retention and reduce N exports from large basins. |
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Keywords: | Denitrification Flooding Mass balance Nitrogen Retention Wisconsin River |
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