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Nitrogen Transformations in Ponds Receiving Polluted Water from Nonpoint Sources
Author(s) -
Reddy G. B.,
Reddy K. R.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1987.00472425001600010001x
Subject(s) - effluent , sediment , surface runoff , ammonium , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , nitrogen , environmental chemistry , pasture , nitrification , incubation , water pollution , nonpoint source pollution , watershed , water quality , zoology , environmental engineering , chemistry , agronomy , ecology , biology , geology , paleontology , biochemistry , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , machine learning , computer science
A laboratory study was conducted to determine the role of N transformations in ponds receiving inorganic N‐rich effluents from septic fields, agricultural, and pasture watersheds. Undisturbed sediment columns were obtained from three ponds. Floodwater in the columns was enriched with either 15 NH + 4 ‐N or 15 NO − 3 ‐N. Ammonium removal rates ranged from 55 to 85 mg N m −2 d −1 , while NO − 3 ‐N removal rates ranged from 48 to 71 mg N m −2 d −1 . Twenty‐three to 49% of floodwater 15 NH + 4 ‐N diffused into the sediment during a 22‐d incubation period and was recovered in 15 NH + 4 ‐N (6–12% of the floodwater 15 NH + 4 ‐N) and organic 15 N fractions (14–37% of the floodwater 15 NH + 4 ‐N). When 15 NO − 3 ‐N was added to the floodwater, about 7% was tied up in the sediment. Ponds receiving effluents from septic tanks and pastured areas retained less floodwater N in the sediment compared to sediments of the pond receiving runoff from agricultural watershed.