Nutrients
Nutrients are chemical elements and compounds found in the environment
that plants and animals need to grow and survive. For water-quality investigations
the various forms of nitrogen and phosphorus are the nutrients of interest.
The forms include nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, organic nitrogen (in the
form of plant material or other organic compounds), and phosphates (orthophosphate
and others). Nitrate is the most common form of nitrogen and phosphates
are the most common forms of phosphorus found in natural waters. High
concentrations of nutrients in water bodies can potentially cause eutrophication
and hypoxia
More Information
Related Headlines
Nutrient Remediation Information
References
- Freeze, R.A., and Cherry, J.A., 1979, Groundwater: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, Inc., p. 604.
- Hallberg, G.R., and Keeney, D.R., 1993, Nitrate, in Alley, W.M., Ed., Regional Ground-Water Quality: New York, Van Hostrand Reinhold, p. 297-322.
- Hem, J.D., 1985, Study and Interpretation of the Chemical Characteristics of Natural Water, Third Edition: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2254, p. 263
- Mueller, D.K. and Helsel, D.R., 1996, Nutrients in the Nation's Waters--Too Much of a Good Thing?: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1136, p. 24.
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