Onsite Wastewater System Nitrogen Loading to Groundwater in the Newport River Watershed, North Carolina

• DOI: 10.5539/enrr.v2n4p70
• Publication Date: 2012-10-25T01:48:00Z
• Authors: Charles Humphrey; Michael A O'Driscoll; Michael C Armstrong
• Keywords: Nutrient pollution; Groundwater Pollution

The objectives of this research were to calculate the on-site wastewater system (OWS) nitrogen loading groundwater in Newport River watershed, North Carolina and determine if these loads large enough be included watershed nutrient management plans along with other sources such as row-crop agriculture. Nitrogen loadings calculated using hydrological quality data beneath 16 OWS installed three different soil groups, demographic data. Over 30,000 people use 76% systems group I soils (sands), 11% II (sandy loams), 13% III clay loams). had lower total dissolved rates (0.04 kg/person/yr) than (1.41 (0.33 kg/person/yr). from groundwater, assuming 20 people/ha (6.5 28.1 kg/ha/yr), significant, but less potential agricultural contributions (37.5 kg/ha/yr) for area. are significant shallow coastal watersheds sandy soils, should considered regulatory efforts reduce pollution.