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A review of anthropogenic sources of nitrogen and their effects on Canadian aquatic ecosystems

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Nitrogen Cycling in the Americas: Natural and Anthropogenic Influences and Controls

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Abstract

Nitrogen releases to air and water are low in most of Canada, but in southern areas with rapid development there are telltale signs of the problems from releases to air and water that are described elsewhere in this volume. These include higher nitrogen in water and releases to the atmosphere from urban areas, industry and agriculture. As a result, in parts of Ontario and Quebec underlain by Precambrian geology, nitrogen deposition is near the critical loads found for geologically similar areas of Europe. In particular, combined inputs of sulphuric and nitric acids are causing base cation depletion in forest soils and keeping some lakes at pH values too low to allow the recovery of biological communities. In southern Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, rapidly expanding human populations, industry and agriculture are causing high concentrations of nitrate in surface and groundwaters. At present, there is little sign of estuarine eutrophication in Canada, but it appears to be imminent on the Pacific coast, as the result of expanding human populations and intensifying agriculture in the lower Fraser Valley and Puget Sound. Steps should be taken now to prevent the widespread problems caused by nitrogen pollution that have occurred in Europe, the USA, and other populous and industrialized regions.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada

    David W. Schindler

  2. Environmental and Resource Studies, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada

    Peter J. Dillon

  3. Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Hans Schreier

Authors
  1. David W. Schindler
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  2. Peter J. Dillon
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  3. Hans Schreier
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cena-University of São Paulo, Brazil

    Luiz A. Martinelli

  2. Cornell University, USA

    Robert W. Howarth

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Schindler, D.W., Dillon, P.J., Schreier, H. (2006). A review of anthropogenic sources of nitrogen and their effects on Canadian aquatic ecosystems. In: Martinelli, L.A., Howarth, R.W. (eds) Nitrogen Cycling in the Americas: Natural and Anthropogenic Influences and Controls. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5517-1_2

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