Dissolved Organic Nitrogen Composition and Processing in Agricultural Catchments (DONCOPRA)

• Applicant: Dr. Martin Pusch
• Subject Area: Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 191088844

Eutrophication of fresh waters due to nitrogen loads from agricultural areas constitutes one of the largest problems for the protection and use of aquatic ecosystems by humans worldwide. Recent investigations show that these nitrogen loadings do not solely consist of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia, but also comprise a substantial share of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). The eutrophication potential of DON exported from agricultural soils into larger water bodies is currently not known. Apparently these variables are not only strongly influenced by the type of land use in the catchment, but also by the retention of DON in headwater streams. DONCOPRA quantifies DON imports from near-natural and agricultural land uses in the northern German lowlands, as well as their main components and biological availability. Besides that, in-stream uptake of DON is quantified in-situ. To assess the climate dependency of governing factors determined in the temperate deciduous forest-biome, these will be compared with results from studies conducted in the tropical savannah- biome (Brazilian Cerrado). Results from the project will allow to determine in two biomes which land uses produce relevant loads of DON components that are effective for eutrophication, and how these may be recognized by simplified analytics.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Brazil
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Björn Gücker