| Identifying Controls on Nutrient Removal in the Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana |
PRESENTATION
Amy E. Scaroni(1), J.A. Nyman(1), C.W. Lindau(2), R.D. DeLaune(2), R.F. Keim(1) ascaro1@lsu.edu
(1) School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
(2) School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Abstract
The Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers are the major sources of freshwater and nutrients to the Gulf of Mexico. Increased nutrient loads from these rivers, primarily in the form of nitrate, have caused increased eutrophication in the Gulf. Previous research suggests that the Atchafalaya Basin removes some of these nutrients before they discharge into the Gulf. As sedimentation associated with the Atchafalaya River fills in lake habitat, lakes transition to cypress swamps, and ultimately to bottomland hardwood forests. Resulting from this natural succession, there may be a change in the capacity of the Basin to remove nutrients. We recently initiated studies to quantify nutrient removal in the Atchafalaya Basin based on storage in the soil and biomass, and via denitrification in the three distinct habitat types: lake, cypress swamp, and bottomland hardwood forest. Preliminary results indicate that denitrification rates differ throughout the basin, and this difference can be explained by habitat type. Evidence suggests that hydrology partially determines the capacity for nutrient removal.
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