Effects of prior land use, carbon availability and hydrology on nitrogen cycling in created wetlands

Session: Wetland Restoration in the Great Lakes Basin: Research and Innovation (2)

Michael McGowan, Rochester Institute of Technology, [email protected]
Thulfiqar Al Graiti, Rochester Institute of Technology, [email protected]
Sonia Huang, Rochester Institute of Technology, [email protected]
Nathan Eddingsaas, Rochester Institute of Technology, [email protected]
Carmody McCalley, Rochester Institute of Technology, [email protected]
Christy Tyler, Rochester Institute of Technology, [email protected]

Abstract

Episodic harmful algal blooms and associated eutrophication of freshwater systems has necessitated management of nutrient loading from watersheds. Recent recognition of the need for dual control of N and P has inspired research into mechanisms to enhance N removal by wetlands in the watershed. In wetlands, N removal is facilitated mainly by the process of denitrification. However, few studies have analyzed the role of both denitrification and nitrogen fixation to more completely assess total nitrogen removal, especially in compensatory wetlands. Hydrology, age, C and N availability, temperature, and oxygen play an important role in the provisioning of these ecosystem services. The goal of this project is to determine how antecedent land use that shifts residual nitrogen availability, manipulation of carbon availability, and hydrological regime affect N cycling in two created wetlands in Western New York. The addition of compost as a management technique increased soil organic matter, but not moisture content, and lead to increased potential denitrification rates and overall N removal. These results provide insight into management techniques that maximize N removal capacity of freshwater wetlands.