Thresholds of lake and reservoir connectivity in river networks control nitrogen removal
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Abstract
Lakes, reservoirs, and other ponded waters are ubiquitous features of the aquatic landscape, yet their cumulative role in nitrogen removal in large river basins is often unclear. Here we use predictive modeling, together with comprehensive river water quality, land use, and hydrography datasets, to examine and explain the influences of more than 18,000 ponded waters on nitrogen removal through river networks of the Northeastern United States. Thresholds in pond density where ponded waters become important features to regional nitrogen removal are identified and shown to vary according to a ponded waters’ relative size, network position, and degree of connectivity to the river network, which suggests worldwide importance of these new metrics. Consideration of the interacting physical and biological factors, along with thresholds in connectivity, reveal where, why, and how much ponded waters function differently than streams in removing nitrogen, what regional water quality outcomes may result, and in what capacity management strategies could most effectively achieve desired nitrogen loading reduction.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Thresholds of lake and reservoir connectivity in river networks control nitrogen removal |
| Series title | Nature Communications |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41467-018-05156-x |
| Volume | 9 |
| Year Published | 2018 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Nature |
| Contributing office(s) | National Research Program - Eastern Branch, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, WMA - Earth System Processes Division |
| Description | 2779, 10 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, Vermont, West Virginia |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |