Nitrogen runoff is threatening ecosystems
Published: March 12, 2008 at 3:16 PM
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 12 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests the increasing nitrogen runoff from urban and agriculture land-use is interfering with natural processes that protect ecosytems.
The study said the increasing nitrogen runoffs prevent streams and rivers from naturally reducing the pollutant before it endangers delicate downstream ecosystems.
Researchers said the findings are based on a major study of 72 streams in eight regions across the United States and Puerto Rico.
"They (the waterways) are effective filters that can help prevent nitrate pollution from reaching lakes and coastal oceans, where it can cause noxious algal blooms and lead to oxygen depletion and death of fish and shellfish, as has been recently reported in the Gulf of Mexico," said lead author Patrick Mulholland of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee.
The study that included scientists from the Marine Biological Laboratory, the University of Georgia, Michigan State University, the University of Wyoming, the University of Notre Dame, Oregon State University, the University of New Mexico, Kansas State University, Arizona State University, the U.S. Forest Service, the University of New Hampshire, Virginia Tech and Ball State University appears in the journal Nature.
The study said the increasing nitrogen runoffs prevent streams and rivers from naturally reducing the pollutant before it endangers delicate downstream ecosystems.
Researchers said the findings are based on a major study of 72 streams in eight regions across the United States and Puerto Rico.
"They (the waterways) are effective filters that can help prevent nitrate pollution from reaching lakes and coastal oceans, where it can cause noxious algal blooms and lead to oxygen depletion and death of fish and shellfish, as has been recently reported in the Gulf of Mexico," said lead author Patrick Mulholland of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee.
The study that included scientists from the Marine Biological Laboratory, the University of Georgia, Michigan State University, the University of Wyoming, the University of Notre Dame, Oregon State University, the University of New Mexico, Kansas State University, Arizona State University, the U.S. Forest Service, the University of New Hampshire, Virginia Tech and Ball State University appears in the journal Nature.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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