Nitrogens Role In Aquatic Ecosystems

1
Nitrogens Role In Aquatic Ecosystems

• The growth of all organisms depends on the
  availability of mineral nutrients.
• Nitrogen is an essential component of proteins
  and nucleic acids
• When phosphorus is high, nitrogen becomes the
  limiting factor for plant growth and biomass
  production.

2
Negative Effects of Nitrogen

• Stimulates growth of algae and aquatic plants
• Breakdown of dead algae causes depletion in
  dissolved oxygen.
• Disruption of aquatic ecosystem
• Death of fish and other organisms

3
Total Nitrogen Levels In Blackwater Creek
Watershed
4
Total Nitrogen Scale
5
Ratings of Sites Based On Total Nitrogen Levels
6
Recovery Site (Hollins Mill)

• Last site on watershed before Blackwater Creek
  empties into the James River.
• Water quality at this site should be excellent,
  because we do not want poor water entering into
  the James River and eventually into the
  Chesapeake Bay.
• In our study, we found that based on total
  nitrogen levels, Hollins Mill has excellent
  water quality.

7
Recommendations To Improve Nitrogen Levels In
Blackwater Creek Watershed

• Nitrogen comes from many non point sources of
  pollution including fertilizers, pesticides,
  and fossil fuels.
• Nitrogen from these sources enter into the
  watershed from soil erosion.
• Vegetation buffers would control the amount of
  nitrogen entering these streams.