Hydrologic Connectivity Regulates Riverine N2O Sources and Dynamics
Minpeng Hu1,2, Zhongjie Yu1, Timothy J Griffis3
1Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|May 23, 2024
Summary
Terrestrial ecosystems significantly contribute to riverine nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, primarily through nitrification. Hydrologic connectivity is key, and current models may underestimate N2O due to overlooking this terrestrial input.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biogeochemistry
- Ecology
Background:
- Indirect nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from streams and rivers are a significant, yet poorly understood, component of the global N2O budget.
- Existing models often overemphasize denitrification as the primary source of riverine N2O, neglecting direct terrestrial inputs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sources and dynamics of riverine N2O emissions in a U.S. Corn Belt river network.
- To assess the role of terrestrial-aquatic interactions and hydrologic connectivity in controlling riverine N2O production and transport.
Main Methods:
- Utilized N2O isotope measurements to trace emission sources.
- Employed spatial stream network modeling to analyze N2O dynamics across the river network.
Main Results:
- Nitrification was identified as a substantial source (>30%) of riverine N2O across the network.
- Direct delivery of soil-produced N2O to streams accounted for over 40% of total riverine emissions.
- Hydrologic connectivity strongly influences N2O sources and dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Terrestrial N2O input, particularly from nitrification, is a critical, often underestimated, factor in riverine N2O emissions.
- Climate change (wetter, warmer) may amplify this terrestrial-aquatic N2O feedback loop.
- Current models may underestimate riverine N2O emissions due to insufficient representation of hydrologic connectivity.
Keywords:
N2O isotopeshydrologic connectivityindirect N2O emissionriver networkstream network modelingterrestrial−aquatic interactionMore Related Videos
09:38Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems
Published on: October 29, 2016
10.3K
09:38Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures
Published on: January 7, 2019
8.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:49The Nitrogen Cycle
52.0K
Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
52.0K
01:14Conservation of Mass in Moving, Nondeforming Control Volume
1.1K
Stormwater detention basins are essential in managing runoff during heavy rainfall, particularly in urban areas where impervious surfaces increase the risk of flooding. Understanding the conservation of mass in these systems allows engineers to optimize basin performance, balancing inflow, outflow, and water storage.
In the context of a detention basin, the conservation of mass states that the total mass of water entering the basin must equal the mass leaving the basin plus any accumulation of...
In the context of a detention basin, the conservation of mass states that the total mass of water entering the basin must equal the mass leaving the basin plus any accumulation of...
1.1K
00:54What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
31.5K
The most common elements in organic molecules, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are only available in the ecosystem in limited amounts. Therefore, these nutrients must be recycled through both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, in processes generally called biogeochemical cycles.
31.5K
01:20Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
7.9K
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
7.9K
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
18.7K
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
18.7K
01:24Rapidly Varying Flow
59
Rapidly varying flow (RVF) in open channels is characterized by abrupt changes in flow depth over a short distance, with the rate of depth change relative to distance often approaching unity. These flows are inherently complex due to their transient and multi-dimensional nature, making exact analysis difficult. However, approximate solutions using simplified models provide valuable insights into their behavior.Key Features of Rapidly Varying FlowRVF is commonly observed in scenarios involving...
59