Nitrogen Dynamics in Two Created Riparian Wetlands over Space and Time
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 22, Issue 1
Abstract
Temporal and spatial variations of nitrogen (N) soil storages and fluxes were examined at two 1-ha created riverine wetlands in the U.S. Midwest. Soil N content (total N, organic-N, , and ), N accumulation rates, and soil C:N ratios were compared between the two wetlands constructed 15 years earlier (one was planted and the other left to naturally colonize). Differences in wetland soil N content and accumulation were also examined in relation to proximity of river input and relative to a range of topographic features related to wetland water depth. The planted and naturally colonized wetlands showed similar rates of N accumulation. However, differences were detected related to the content of mineralized forms of N ( and ) that may relate to the history of vegetation communities at these wetlands. Significant spatial variation of N accumulation was detected within the wetlands, with the highest rates found in the deeper open water communities compared to shallow emergent marsh/edge vegetation communities ( versus ). Nitrogen budgets comparing two ages of the wetlands illustrate higher N accumulation rates (by 19%), higher N reduction in the surface water (47 to 52% reduction), and increased denitrification rates (by 13%) from year 10 to year 15. We also found out that nitrogen accumulation in the soil was 7.1 to 7.5% higher than were denitrification rates in these young wetlands. We discuss the importance of efforts such as this to support better understanding of N pathways in both created and natural wetlands, while providing critical data needed to improve modelling efforts and assess the long-term effectiveness of wetlands for improving water quality.
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Acknowledgments
Support for this project came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Agreements EM83329801-0 from Cincinnati, OH, and MX95413108-0 from Gulf of Mexico Program), the National Science Foundation (CBET-1033451 and CBET-0829026), the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University, and the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park at The Ohio State University. We appreciate a Sigma Xi (Ohio State Chapter) Grant-in-Aid of Research award and a SEEDS Grant from the OARDC Graduate Research Enhancement Grant Program at The Ohio State University. We thank all the colleagues and friends who advised on and helped with the research.
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Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 22 • Issue 1 • January 2017
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© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 21, 2015
Accepted: Feb 10, 2016
Published online: Apr 26, 2016
Discussion open until: Sep 26, 2016
Published in print: Jan 1, 2017
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