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Nitrous oxide in Michigan waters and in U.S. municipal waters
Author(s) -
Cicerone Ralph J.,
Shetter James D.,
Liu Shaw Chen
Publication year - 1978
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/gl005i003p00173
Subject(s) - nitrous oxide , environmental science , effluent , surface water , environmental chemistry , tap water , supersaturation , sewage , hydrology (agriculture) , flux (metallurgy) , groundwater , environmental engineering , chemistry , geology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
We have measured dissolved nitrous oxide (N 2 O) concentrations in Michigan surface waters by equilibration of the water samples with ambient air followed by gas chromatographic analysis of the air. Two rivers and one lake show significant N 2 O supersaturations (factors of five or more) directly traceable to sewage treatment plant effluents. Municipal tap water samples from 19 U.S. cities also show supersaturations. Our data indicate that chlorination of river water and of wastes might be a key step in N 2 O production. To measure N 2 O fluxes from water to air we employ a gas collection device; two initial flux measurements from supersaturated waters are reported.