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News Release 15-018

Nutrient pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus reduces streams' ability to support aquatic life

Residence time of leaves and twigs, important to stream-dwelling species, can be halved

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Leaves and wood in a stream

Leaves and wood provide essential "ecosystem services" to streams; nutrient pollution affects them.

Credit: Phillip Bumpers


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sattelite image showing dots marking where experiments took place

Experiments were in streams (shown by dots) characteristic of human-modified landscapes.

Credit: USGS/USDA/World Imagery Source


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table with equipment for testingsamples from streams

Scientists tested the effects of nutrient pollution by adding nutrients to certain streams.

Credit: Jonathon Benstead


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side by side a stream in winter and in summer

Researchers maintained additions of nitrogen and phosphorus to streams on a year-round basis.

Credit: Phillip Bumpers


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Nutrient-stimulated feeding by stream insects also reduces retention of carbon in stream reaches.

Nutrient-stimulated feeding by stream insects also reduces retention of carbon in stream reaches.

Credit: John Davis


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