Stream denitrification across biomes and its response to anthropogenic nitrate loading

Patrick J. Mulholland (), Ashley M. Helton, Geoffrey C. Poole, Robert O. Hall, Stephen K. Hamilton, Bruce J. Peterson, Jennifer L. Tank, Linda R. Ashkenas, Lee W. Cooper, Clifford N. Dahm, Walter K. Dodds, Stuart E. G. Findlay, Stanley V. Gregory, Nancy B. Grimm, Sherri L. Johnson, William H. McDowell, Judy L. Meyer, H. Maurice Valett, Jackson R. Webster, Clay P. Arango, Jake J. Beaulieu, Melody J. Bernot, Amy J. Burgin, Chelsea L. Crenshaw, Laura T. Johnson, B. R. Niederlehner, Jonathan M. O’Brien, Jody D. Potter, Richard W. Sheibley, Daniel J. Sobota and Suzanne M. Thomas
Additional contact information
Patrick J. Mulholland: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
Ashley M. Helton: Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
Geoffrey C. Poole: Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
Robert O. Hall: University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA
Stephen K. Hamilton: Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060, USA
Bruce J. Peterson: Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA
Jennifer L. Tank: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
Linda R. Ashkenas: Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
Lee W. Cooper: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
Clifford N. Dahm: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
Walter K. Dodds: Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
Stuart E. G. Findlay: Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York 12545, USA
Stanley V. Gregory: Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
Nancy B. Grimm: School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
Sherri L. Johnson: Pacific Northwest Research Station, US Forest Service, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
William H. McDowell: University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA
Judy L. Meyer: Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
H. Maurice Valett: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
Jackson R. Webster: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
Clay P. Arango: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
Jake J. Beaulieu: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
Melody J. Bernot: Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, USA
Amy J. Burgin: Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060, USA
Chelsea L. Crenshaw: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
Laura T. Johnson: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
B. R. Niederlehner: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
Jonathan M. O’Brien: Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060, USA
Jody D. Potter: University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA
Richard W. Sheibley: School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
Daniel J. Sobota: Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
Suzanne M. Thomas: Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA

Nature, 2008, vol. 452, issue 7184, 202-205

Abstract: About a quarter of the nitrogen added to the biosphere is exported from rivers to the ocean or inland basins, indicating substantial sinks for nitrogen must exist in the landscape. Data from nitrogen stable isotope tracer experiments across 72 streams suggests that the total uptake of nitrate is related to ecosystem photosynthesis, and that denitrification is related to ecosystem respiration. A stream network model demonstrates that excess nitrate in streams elicits a disproportionate increase in the fraction of nitrate that is exported to receiving waters and reduces the relative role of small versus large streams as nitrate sinks.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature06686

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