Storm characteristics influence nitrogen removal in an urban estuarine environment

Smiley, Anne Margaret H.; Thompson, Suzanne P.; Hall, Nathan S.; Piehler, Michael F.

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-3635-2023

Articles | Volume 23, issue 11

https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-3635-2023

© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-3635-2023

© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 23, issue 11

Research article

|

28 Nov 2023

Research article |

| 28 Nov 2023

Storm characteristics influence nitrogen removal in an urban estuarine environment

Anne Margaret H. Smiley, Suzanne P. Thompson, Nathan S. Hall, and Michael F. Piehler

Data sets

National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2019 Products (ver. 2.0, June 2021): U.S. Geological Survey data release Dewitz, J. and U.S. Geological Survey https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KZCM54

Layer: 12-digit HU (Subwatershed) (ID: 6) U.S. Geological Survey https://hydro.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/wbd/MapServer/6

Station CLKN7-Cape Lookout NOAA, National Data Buoy Center https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=clkn7

Neuse River Near Fort Barnwell, NC - 02091814 U.S. Geological Survey https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/02091814/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D&showMedian=true

Short summary

Floodwaters can deliver reactive nitrogen to sensitive aquatic systems and diminish water quality. We assessed the nitrogen removal capabilities of flooded habitats and urban landscapes. Differences in processing rates across land cover treatments and between nutrient treatments suggest that abundance and spatial distributions of habitats, as well as storm characteristics, influence landscape-scale nitrogen removal. Results have important implications for coastal development and climate change.