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Low stream nitrate concentrations associated with oak forests on the Allegheny high plateau of Pennsylvania
Author(s) -
Lewis Gregory P.,
Likens Gene E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2000wr900101
Subject(s) - watershed , nitrate , streams , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , deposition (geology) , plateau (mathematics) , sulfate , potassium , nutrient , soil water , ecology , chemistry , soil science , geology , biology , sediment , mathematical analysis , geotechnical engineering , mathematics , computer network , paleontology , organic chemistry , machine learning , computer science
Stream nitrate (NO 3 − ) concentrations were 2.6–7.0 times lower in watersheds in which red oak ( Quercus rubra ) stands were present than in other forested watersheds in northwestern Pennsylvania. Also, seasonal variations in NO 3 − concentrations were smaller in watersheds with oak stands than in watersheds without oak stands. Stream water concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate did not differ significantly between the two groups of watersheds. The variability in NO 3 − concentrations among streams did not appear to be due to differences in atmospheric nitrogen deposition among watersheds. Low stream NO 3 − concentrations occurred even if only 10–20% of a watershed was covered by oak stands. We suggest that oaks, rather than directly controlling NO 3 − losses, instead merely occur on soils which have low NO 3 − losses.