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Relationship between river size and nutrient removal
Author(s) -
Wollheim W. M.,
Vörösmarty C. J.,
Peterson B. J.,
Seitzinger S. P.,
Hopkinson C. S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2006gl025845
Subject(s) - nutrient , benthic zone , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , drainage basin , ecology , geology , biology , geography , geotechnical engineering , cartography
We present a conceptual approach for evaluating the biological and hydrological controls of nutrient removal in different sized rivers within an entire river network. We emphasize a per unit area biological parameter, the nutrient uptake velocity (ν f ), which is mathematically independent of river size in benthic dominated systems. Standardization of biological parameters from previous river network models to ν f reveals the nature of river size dependant biological activity in these models. We explore how geomorphic, hydraulic, and biological factors control the distribution of nutrient removal in an idealized river network, finding that larger rivers within a basin potentially exert considerable influence over nutrient exports.