Nitrogen, phosphorus, and eutrophication in streams

Flowing waters receive substantial nutrient inputs, including both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), in many parts of the world. Eutrophication science for rivers and streams has unfortunately lagged behind that for lakes, and results from lakes might inform those interested in stream eutrophication. A key controversy in lake eutrophication science is the relative importance of controlling P and N in water quality management, and we are interested how the science of this controversy transfers to flowing waters. A literature review indicates (1) stream benthic chlorophyll is significantly correlated to both total N and total P in the water column, with both nutrients explaining more variance than either…

• NS
  National Science Foundation