Geochemistry and characteristics of nitrogen transport at a confined animal feeding operation in a coastal plain agricultural watershed, and implications for nutrient loading in the Neuse River basin, North Carolina, 1999-2002

Spruill, Timothy B.; Tesoriero, Anthony J.; Mew, H.E.; Farrell, Kathleen M.; Harden, Stephen L.; Colosimo, A.B.; Kraemer, Stephen R.

doi:10.3133/sir20045283

Cited by 18 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…Thus, assuming that half of the estuary surface area of 4.55×10 8 m 2 (Buzzelli and Christian 2001) is covered with nitrogenous organic debris and serves as a source of nitrogen, between approximately 1,000 and 6,200 tonnes of nitrogen annually could be regenerated from sediment to the water column based on benthic sediment-flux estimates for the NRE ( (Fisher et al 1982; Table 1), and almost 250 tonnes yr −1 (Matson et al 1983; Table 1). These amounts are 220% and 65%, respectively, of the average riverine input of phosphorus based on a transported load of 385 tonnes for 2000 (Spruill et al 2005).…”

Section: Site Description and Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Groundwater and Nutrient Fluxes to the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

Spruill

Bratton

2008

Estuaries and Coasts

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A study was conducted between April 2004 and September 2005 to estimate groundwater and nutrient discharge to the Neuse River estuary in North Carolina. The largest groundwater fluxes were observed to occur generally within 20 m of the shoreline. Groundwater flux estimates based on seepage meter measurements ranged from 2.86×10 8 to 4.33×10 8 m 3 annually and are comparable to estimates made using radon, a simple water-budget method, and estimates derived by using Darcy's Law and previously published general aquifer characteristics of the area. The lower groundwater flux estimate (equal to about 9 m 3 s −1 ), which assumed the narrowest groundwater discharge zone (20 m) of three zone widths selected for an area west of New Bern, North Carolina, most closely agrees with groundwater flux estimates made using radon (3-9 m 3 s −1 ) and Darcy's Law (about 9 m 3 s −1 ). A groundwater flux of 9 m 3 s −1 is about 40% of the surface-water flow to the Neuse River estuary between Streets Ferry and the mouth of the estuary and about 7% of the surface-water inflow from areas upstream. Estimates of annual nitrogen (333 tonnes) and phosphorus (66 tonnes) fluxes from groundwater to the estuary, based on this analysis, are less than 6% of the nitrogen and phosphorus inputs derived from all sources (excluding oceanic inputs), and approximately 8% of the nitrogen and 17% of the phosphorus annual inputs from surface-water inflow to the Neuse River estuary assuming a mean annual precipitation of 1.27 m. We provide quantitative evidence, derived from three methods, that the contribution of water and nutrients from groundwater discharge to the Neuse River estuary is relatively minor, particularly compared with upstream sources of water and nutrients and with bottom sediment sources of nutrients. Locally high groundwater discharges do occur, however, and could help explain the occurrence of localized phytoplankton blooms, submerged aquatic vegetation, or fish kills.

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Section: Site Description and Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Groundwater and Nutrient Fluxes to the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

Spruill

Bratton

2008

Estuaries and Coasts

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“…In 1995, 1996 and 1997, it was continuously designated as one of North America's most threatened rivers, and in 2007, it was designated as one of the most endangered rivers in the U.S. [26]. CAFO pollution was named one of the leading causes of the river's continuing pollution problems [26].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

CALPUFF and CAFOs: Air Pollution Modeling and Environmental Justice Analysis in the North Carolina Hog Industry

Ogneva‐Himmelberger

Huang

Hao

2015

IJGI

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Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) produce large amounts of animal waste, which potentially pollutes air, soil and water and affects human health if not appropriately managed. This study uses meteorological and CAFO data and applies an air pollution dispersion model (CALPUFF) to estimate ammonia concentrations at locations downwind of hog CAFOs and to evaluate the disproportionate exposure of children, elderly, whites and minorities to the pollutant. Ammonia is one of the gases emitted by swine CAFOs and could affect human health. Local indicator of spatial autocorrelation (LISA) analysis uses census block demographic data to identify hot spots where both ammonia concentrations and the number of exposed vulnerable population are high. We limit our analysis to one watershed in North Carolina and compare environmental justice issues between 2000 and 2010. Our results show that the average ammonia concentrations in hot spots for 2000 and 2010 were 2.5-3-times higher than the average concentration in the entire watershed. The number of people living in the areas where ammonia concentrations exceeded the minimal risk level was 3647 people in 2000 and 3360 people in 2010. We recommend using air pollution dispersion models in future environmental justice studies to assess the impacts of the CAFOs and to address concerns regarding the health and quality of life of vulnerable populations.

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“…(53,73,74) Nitrate, for example, is stable along groundwater flow paths where groundwater is oxic, but is transformed to nitrogen gas where groundwater passes through anoxic areas before discharging to streams. (16,61) Groundwater on the Delmarva Peninsula is particularly effective at transporting contaminants to streams because contaminant sources at the land surface are abundant and because well-drained and well-oxygenated soils and a shallow water table promote the movement of nitrate and other chemicals into and through the shallow surficial aquifer (see sidebar, The effects of groundwater nitrate on restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, p. 68). The Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, which is on the Delmarva Peninsula, generates more than half of the fluxes of base-flow alachlor, atrazine, metolachlor, and nitrate to streams in the entire Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain (excluding Long Island, for which data were not available), even though it makes up only 9 percent of that area ( fig.…”

Section: Chemical Properties and Local Natural And Human Influences Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain surficial aquifer system, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia, 1988-2009

Denver¹,

Ator²,

Fischer³

et al. 2015

Circular

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For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http: //www.usgs.gov/pubprod To order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.Suggested citation: Denver, J.M., Ator, S.W., Fischer, J.M., Harned, D.C., Schubert, Christopher, and Szabo, Zoltan, 2014, The quality of our Nation's waters-Water quality in the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain surficial aquifer system, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia, 1988-2009: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1353. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataDenver, J. M.The quality of our Nation's waters---water quality in the Northern Atlantic coastal plain surficial aquifer system, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia, 1988-2009 "USGS, through the NAWQA Program, has extensively studied the movement of nutrients through groundwater. We look forward to using this information as we work with state and local partners to implement practices on the land that have the greatest benefit to the quality of our local and Bay waters."Nick DiPasquale EPA Director of the Chesapeake Bay Program iv ForewordThe United States has made major investments in assessing, managing, regulating, and conserving natural resources, such as water and a variety of ecosystems. Sustaining the quality of the Nation's water resources and the health of our diverse ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together, these actions lead to immediate and long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits that make a difference to the lives of millions of people (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/applications/ ).Two decades ago, Congress established the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program to meet this need. Since then NAWQA has served as a primary source of nationally consistent information on the quality of the Nation's streams and groundwater, on ways in which water quality changes over time, and on the natural features and human activities affecting the quality of streams and groundwater. Objective and reliable data, systematic scientific studies, and models are used to characterize where, when, and why the Nation's water quality is degraded-and what can be done to improve and...

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Geochemistry and characteristics of nitrogen transport at a confined animal feeding operation in a coastal plain agricultural watershed, and implications for nutrient loading in the Neuse River basin, North Carolina, 1999-2002

Cited by 18 publications

References 44 publications

Estimation of Groundwater and Nutrient Fluxes to the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

Estimation of Groundwater and Nutrient Fluxes to the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

CALPUFF and CAFOs: Air Pollution Modeling and Environmental Justice Analysis in the North Carolina Hog Industry

The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain surficial aquifer system, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia, 1988-2009

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