Nutrients dissolved gasses

19 important questions on Nutrients dissolved gasses


Where play N and P an important role in?

The degradation of organic matter.


What do N or P typically do?

They limit primary production in freshwater systems.

Of what is phosphorus a component of?


Nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP; energy transfer), and phospholipids (cell membranes).
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How does the phosphorus cycle work?

Inorganic P is taken up into living OM, then organisms secrete
enzymes (phosphatase) to cleave inorganic P from organic molecules.

What three things do you need to know about P external loading?


1. Rock weathering is the primary natural source of P
2. Anthropogenic additions of P to ecosystems significant in many regions (Agriculture, urban runoff, sewage, and until recently, detergents)
3. Most P enters aquatic systems in the dissolved form

What two things do you need to know about P internal loading?

1. In oxic conditions, P complexes with the oxidized form of iron (Fe3+). This forms a precipitate
2.  Under anoxic conditions, Fe3+ is reduced to Fe2+, and the Fe-PO4 complex breaks down

What are four implications of high lake productivity?


1. Low oxygen levels
2. Loss of habitat
3. Fish kills
4. Toxic algal blooms

What is the spiral length?


the distance over which one complete nutrient cycle occurs.

What determines the concentration of gases in natural waters?

Gas transfer velocity k (or gas exchange rate)

Why do gases decrease their solubility with higher temperatures?


Greater molecular energy (higher T) results in gaseous molecules not being kept within liquid water matrix.

Why do ions increase their solubility with higher temperature?


Greater molecular energy (higher T) results in ions being further separated, and bonded form to be even less stable.


Two things you need to know about oligotrophic waters


1. O2-rich and nutrient-poor
2. TN (Total Nitrogen) levels consist mainly of organic N and nitrate (NO3-)

Three things you need to know about Meso-eutrophic waters


1. Variable O2 levels, medium nutrient levels
2. Nutrient abundance and type depends on O2-levels
3. TN consist of organic N and NO3 in surface waters, and
reduced forms of ammonia in bottom waters.

Three things you need to know about Eutrophic waters


1. O2-poor due to very high nutrient levels
2. “nutrient pollution”!
3. Aquatic animals are killed

Do low-order streams have high or low O2 concentrations?

High, this is heavily influenced by cold temperatures (shading) and turbulent mixing (gravity).

What happens when CH4 enteres oxic (areobic) water?


It starts to get oxidized.

What two things are often used as a metric for lake productivity?

Total phosphorus and total chlorophyll

What are three human inputs of N into aquatic systems?

1. Fertilizer application
2. Atmospheric deposition
3. Human sewage

The downstream transport of a reactive solute is controlled by (3 things):

1. Physical processes (stream velocity & transient storage)
2. Physical-chemical processes (sorption & desorption)
3. Biological processes (uptake and storage in OM)

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