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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds

Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds

Published on: September 26, 2017

Nutrient concentrations in Maryland non-tidal streams.

Raymond P Morgan¹, Kathleen M Kline

¹Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 301 Braddock Road, Frostburg, MD 21532-2307, USA. rmorgan@umces.edu

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

|October 5, 2010

Summary

Maryland streams show high nutrient levels, particularly total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), linked to land use. Exceeding criteria, these nutrients impact stream health and flow into the Chesapeake Bay.

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Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds

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Published on: September 26, 2017

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Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems

Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems

Published on: October 29, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Ecology
Water Quality

Background:

Small-order, non-tidal streams are crucial aquatic ecosystems.
Nutrient loading from surrounding watersheds can significantly impact stream health.
Understanding nutrient dynamics is vital for effective watershed management.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze nutrient relationships in Maryland's small streams.
To assess nutrient loading against established criteria.
To estimate stream kilometers impacted by nutrient pollution.

Main Methods:

Utilized the Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) database.
Correlated nutrient levels with land use (agriculture, forest) within sampling areas.
Applied derived nutrient criteria to estimate affected stream lengths.

Main Results:

Strong linear correlations found between nutrient levels and surrounding agricultural/forested land.
Mean total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) exceeded Maryland's reference criteria in most watershed basins.
Significant percentages of stream kilometers (up to 90% for TP) exceeded nutrient criteria in several basins.

Conclusions:

Recommended upper stream TN criteria of 1.34-1.68 mg/L and TP criteria of 0.025-0.037 mg/L.
Elevated TN and TP in non-tidal streams contribute to nutrient loading in the Chesapeake Bay.
Protecting small stream integrity requires addressing nutrient inputs from watershed basins.