Human-caused increases in reactive nitrogen burial in sediment of global lakes

A conceptual model of nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus burial in lakes.

Human activities have increased reactive nitrogen (Nr) input to terrestrial ecosystems compared with the pre-industrial era. However, the fate of such Nr input remains uncertain, leading to missing sink of the global nitrogen budget. By synthesizing records of Nr burial in sediments from 303 lakes worldwide, here we show that 9.6 ± 1.1 Tg N year−1 (Tg = 1012 g) accumulated in inland water sediments from 2000 to 2010, accounting for 3%–5% of global Nr input to the land from combined natural and anthropogenic pathways.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xinn.2021.100158

Citation:
Wang M., Houlton B., Wang S. (2021). Human-caused increases in reactive nitrogen burial in sediment of global lakes. The Innovation. 2(4),100158.