Assessing the extent of nitrogen saturation in northern West Virginia forested watersheds: a survey of stream nitrate concentrations

Abstract

Twenty-seven forested watersheds in northern West Virginia were sampled for stream nitrate concentrations during summer 1997 and fall 1998 baseflow periods to determine if Fernow watershed 4, an often-cited and studied nitrogen saturated basin, was anomalous or regionally representative in terms of stream nitrate levels. Baseflow stream NO₃-N concentrations ranged from 0.005 to 1.54 mg L^-1, with nearly half of the streams being higher than Fernow 4 in both summer and fall. Variations in stream nitrate were related to basin geology, whereas no direct effects of basin physiography could be established. It was concluded that Fernow 4 was representative of regional stream nitrate concentrations and the majority of the watersheds surveyed showed similar signs of nitrogen saturation.

Parent Publication

• 13th Central Hardwoods Forest Conference

Citation

Williard, Karl W. J.; DeWalle, David R.; Edwards, Pamela J. 2003. Assessing the extent of nitrogen saturation in northern West Virginia forested watersheds: a survey of stream nitrate concentrations. In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 121-129