Related Concept Videos
Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
Freshwater Microbial Ecology
Primary Production
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
The Nitrogen Cycle
Bioremediation
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Pervasive summertime nitrous oxide undersaturation in U.S. lakes and reservoirs.
Identifying Headwater Streams across the Conterminous United States.
Streamflow and Surface-Water Presence Data Availability Across the Conterminous United States: A Review for Headwater Systems.
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Design and Construction of an Urban Runoff Research Facility
Published on: August 8, 2014
Urban Stream Burial Increases Watershed-Scale Nitrate Export.
Jake J Beaulieu1, Heather E Golden2, Christopher D Knightes3
1US EPA, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America.
Stream burial significantly reduces nitrogen (N) uptake, increasing downstream nutrient loading. Uncovering streams (daylighting) can enhance N retention in urban watersheds.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Hydrology
Background:
- Nitrogen (N) uptake in streams is a vital ecosystem service reducing downstream nutrient pollution.
- Urbanization often leads to stream burial, impacting nutrient cycling and water quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of urban stream burial on N uptake.
- To scale these effects to the watershed level using simulation modeling.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized studies on N uptake in buried vs. open streams in two metropolitan areas.
- Employed simulation modeling to assess watershed-scale impacts of stream burial.
- Analyzed the influence of burial location (upper vs. lower watershed) on N export.
Main Results:
- Buried streams showed a substantial reduction in N uptake, with nitrate traveling 18 times farther.
- Increased stream burial led to higher N uptake in remaining open reaches, partially offsetting losses.
- At higher burial levels, overall watershed N retention declined significantly, increasing N export.
Conclusions:
- Stream burial diminishes watershed-scale N retention, especially in urbanized lower reaches.
- Stream daylighting is a potential strategy to improve N retention and mitigate nutrient pollution.

