| Abstract: | Historical streamflow and concentration data were used in regression models to estimate the annual flux of nitrogen (N) to the Gulf of Mexico and to determine where the nitrogen originates within the Mississippi Basin. Results show that for 1980-1996 the mean annual total N flux to the Gulf of Mexico was 1 568 000 t yr-1. The flux was about 61% nitrate N, 37% organic N, and 2% ammonium N. The flux of nitrate N to the Gulf has approximately tripled in the last 30 years with most of the increase occurring between 1970 and 1983. The mean annual N flux has changed little since the early 1980s, but large year-to-year variations in N flux occur because of variations in precipitation. During wet years the N flux can increase by 50% or more due to flushing of nitrate N that has accumulated in the soils and unsaturated zones in the basin. The principal source areas of N are basins in southern Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio that drain agricultural land. Basins in this region yield 1500 to more than 3100 kg N km-2 yr-1 to streams, several times the N yield of basins outside this region. |
| Genre: | Conference Paper |
| ProdID: | 70023236 |
| Citation Author: | Goolsby, D. A.; Battaglin, W. A.; Aulenbach, B. T.; Hooper, R. P. |
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| Citation End Page: | 336 |
| Citation Issue: | 2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Environmental Quality |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 8 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Nitrogen input to the Gulf of Mexico; 2001; Conference Paper; Journal of Environmental Quality; Goolsby, D. A.; Battaglin, W. A.; Aulenbach, B. T.; Hooper, R. P. |
| Citation Start Page: | 329 |
| Citation Volume: | 30 |
| Citation Year: | 2001 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Nitrogen input to the Gulf of Mexico; 2001; Conference Paper; Journal of Environmental Quality; Goolsby, D. A.; Battaglin, W. A.; Aulenbach, B. T.; Hooper, R. P. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Mon, 1 Jan 2001 00:00 -0600 |
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