Nitrate Stimulates Greenhouse Gas Production in Small Streams
Monday, March 30, 2009 - 10:35
in Earth & Climate
A study conducted at the University of Notre Dame revealed that nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, is frequently produced in the sediments of small streams and that production rates were best explained by stream water nitrate concentrations. These concentrations are often the result of runoff from agricultural soils, where it is well established that a high presence of nitrates can stimulate nitrous oxide production.