Production and release of N2O from the Potomac Estuary 1

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.1978.23.6.1168
• Publication Date: 2010-03-27T17:12:41Z
• Authors: M. B. McElroy; J. W. Elkins; S. C. Wofsy; C. E. Kolb; A. P. Durán; W. A. Kaplan
• Keywords: Biogeochemistry; Nitrous oxide

Measurements of dissolved O 2 , N O, NH 4 + NO − and 3 are used to study the biogeochemistry nitrogen in Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The nutrient budget is dominated by sewage inputs from treatment plants at Blue Plains Alexandria. taken July September 1977 indicate large supersaturated concentrations exhibit significant short‐period variations over distances >40 km. Concentrations appear be inversely correlated there indications that may produced primarily sediment‐water interface. Nitrous oxide released air on a time scale about 1 day gas exchange occur mainly shallow embayments response turbulence associated with tidal currents. Release atmosphere takes place rate 10 kg·d −1 attributed prompt conversion between 5% total input.