Transformations of nitrogen in a polluted estuary; nonlinearities in the demand for oxygen at low flow
Wofsy SC, McElroy MB, Elkins JW. 1981. Transformations of nitrogen in a polluted estuary; nonlinearities in the demand for oxygen at low flow. Science. 213(4509):754-757
Oxidation of sewage ammonium in the Potomac River is described in terms of a simple kinetic model, with growth of nitrifying bacteria limited by the supply of ammonium ion. The oxidation rate varies inversely with freshwater inflow, and the associated demand for oxygen varies as the inverse square of the freshwater inflow rate. Simliar behavior is observed for teh Delaware River. The model accounts for the observed concentrations of ammonium and nitrous oxide.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Wofsy, S; McElroy, M; Elkins, J
- Units
- CHOH , FRSP , GEWA , GREE , GWMP , MANA , NACE , PRWI , ROCR , THST
- Keywords
- Alteration, Ammonium, biochemical sedimentation, Biodegradation, District Of Columbia, Estuaries, Estuarine Environment, estuarine sedimentation, Geochemistry, Geology, Hydrochemistry, Hydrology, Maryland, Mathematical Models, Models, Nitrification, Nitrogen, Organic Materials, Oxidation, Oxygen, Pollution, Potomac River, Processes, Rivers and Streams, Sedimentation, Sewage, Streamflow, Surface Water, Surveys, theoretical studies, transformations, Virginia, Water Quality