Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Stoichiometric Response to Hydrologic Extremes in a Tributary to Lake Erie, USA. Issue 1 (1st December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, D. R.; Jarvie, H. P.
• Is Part Of: Agricultural & environmental letters. Volume 3:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-12-01
• Subjects: Agriculture -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Agriculture; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.2134/ael2018.08.0043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-9625

Abstract

Abstract : Core Ideas: C/N/P stoichiometry at the 5th and 95th percentile of discharge was compared. Extreme low‐flow stoichiometry was N or P limited relative to other nutrients. Extreme high‐flow N contributions from tile push stoichiometry toward the Redfield ratio. Wastewater outflow pushes third‐order stream to the Redfield ratio for low and high flow. Anthropogenic activities are a major cause of water quality impairment. We evaluated how hydrologic extremes (5th and 95th percentile of flow) affect carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry in a tile‐drained agricultural tributary to Lake Erie. Water samples collected (2003–2009) from three sites along one agricultural drainage ditch and its receiving third‐order stream were analyzed for C, N, and P. The C/N/P concentrations were transformed to compare against the Redfield ratio (106:16:1 C/N/P), ideal for algal proliferation. Nitrogen was depleted relative to C and P at two sites on the agricultural ditch during extreme low‐flow conditions, whereas P was depleted to C and N at the third. Tile drainage N and P losses during high flows shifted stoichiometry toward the Redfield ratio. Stoichiometry in the third‐order stream was near the Redfield ratio at both hydrologic extremes, likely from wastewater treatment plant effluent.