Decreases in Pollutant Loading from Residual Soda Ash Production Waste

The attenuation of residual industrial loads of chloride (Cl^-) and total ammonia (T-NH₃) from Solvay waste bedsto Ninemile Creek, New York, and downstream polluted Onondaga Lake, is characterized and quantified based on fourteen years ofmonitoring following closure of a soda ash manufacturing facility. Concentrations of these constituents were monitored atleast bi-weekly at two sites on Ninemile Creek that bound the waste bed inputs, and at the mouths of the two other major tributaries to the lake, to quantify inputs from the industrial deposits and to place these residual loads in the perspective of contributions to total lake loading. Variations in the concentrations of these constituents in Ninemile Creek downstreamof the industrial inputs within individual years are well represented by a dilution model; i.e., linearity of concentrationversus inverse stream flow. A relatively uniform ratio of T-NH₃ to Cl^- has been maintained in the residual loading, about 0.42 g T-NH₃ per kg Cl^-. Substantial decreases (～40%) in loading of these constituents fromthe waste beds to Ninemile Creek over the post-closure period are documented through shifts in the dilution model. As a result,the contribution of this source to the total lake loading has decreased from ～45% to <30%. The estimated total residual Cl^- load received from the waste beds since closure of the industry (～1 million metric tons) corresponds to ～1.6 yr of the full operating load of the industry before closure. The time required to reach a Cl^- concentration goal for Ninemile Creek is considered, based onprojections of the post-closure trend.     

The distribution of nitrogen species in polluted Onondaga Lake,N.Y., U.S.A.

The temporal and vertical distributions of four N species, N0₃ ^?, NO₂ ^?, total ammonia (T-NH₃), and free ammonia (NH₃), are documented for Onondaga Lake, an urban, polluted, hypereutrophic, dimictic, lake that receives a very high load of T-NH₃. Nitrate and NO₂ ^? were lost rapidly from the hypolimnion, and T-NH₃ accumulated to high concentrations (maximum > 10 mgN L^?1), after the onset of anoxia, consistent with the lake's high level of productivity. The concentrations of T-NH₃, NH₃ and N0₃ ^? that were maintained in the epilimnion (average concentrations at a depth of 1 m of 2.81, 0.16 and 0.91 mgN L^?1, respectively), and concentrations of N0₂ ^? that developed in the epilimnion (maximum of 0.48 mgN L^?1), were high in comparison to levels reported in the literature. These elevated concentrations are largely a result of the extremely high loads of T-NH₃, and its precursors, received by the lake. Water quality problems in the lake related to the prevailing high concentrations of N species include potential toxicity effects and severe lake-wide oxygen depletion during fall turnover.     

密云水库上游流域水体营养物质现状及来源分析

密云水库作为北京地区最重要的地表饮用水水源地,其水质优劣直接关系到首都的社会经济发展,开展密云水库水污染监测和治理研究具有重要的现实意义。以密云水库上游流域为研究区,通过不同尺度流域水体营养物质监测,分析了水库上游河流水体营养物质现状;通过分割流量过程线,划分了水体营养物质来自点源和非点源污染的比例。研究结果表明,依据标准(GB3838-2002)要求,密云水库上游河流水体TN含量几乎全部超标,且15.9%样本的TP含量超标。密云水库的营养物质平均40.3%来自点源污染,59.7%来自非点源污染;入库水体中50.1%的TN,49.1%的NO₃^--N,39.0%的NH₄⁺-N,26.5%的TP和36.8%的COD_Mn来自点源污染;49.9%的TN,50.9%的NO₃^--N,61.0%的NH₄⁺-N,73.5%的TP和63.2%的COD_Mn来自非点源污染。     

Nutrient Removal in Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetlands Treating Eutrophic River Water: Assessment of Plants, Intermittent Artificial Aeration and Polyhedron Hollow Polypropylene Balls

Seven experimental pilot-scale subsurface vertical-flow constructed wetlands were designed to assess the effect of plants [Typha latifolia L. (cattail)], intermittent artificial aeration and the use of polyhedron hollow polypropylene balls (PHPB) as part of the wetland substrate on nutrient removal from eutrophic Jinhe River water in Tianjin, China. During the entire running period, observations indicated that plants played a negligible role in chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal but significantly enhanced ammonia–nitrogen (NH₄–N), nitrate–nitrogen (NO₃–N) total nitrogen (TN), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) removal. The introduction of intermittent artificial aeration and the presence of PHPB could both improve COD, NH₄–N, TN, SRP and TP removal. Furthermore, aerated wetlands containing PHPB performed best; the following improvements were noted: 10.38 g COD/m² day, 1.34 g NH₄–N/m² day, 1.04 g TN/m² day, 0.07 g SRP/m² day and 0.07 g TP/m² day removal, if compared to non-aerated wetlands without PHPB being presented.     

Nutrient Retention in a Northern Prairie Marsh (Frank Lake,Alberta) Receiving Municipal and Agro-Industrial Wastewater

Agro-industrial wastewater and municipal sewage wereused to restore Frank Lake, a 1246 ha northernprairie marsh in southern Alberta, Canada, to providewaterfowl habitat and improve water quality. Meanannual inflow wastewater nutrient concentrations were17 mg L^-1 NH₃-N, 30 mg L^-1 NO₃-Nand 11 mg L^-1 SRP. Mean flows greater than 5000 m³ day^-1 loaded the marsh with 23 000 kg of P annually. Summer NH₃-N, NO₃-N andtotal phosphorus (TP) surface water concentrationswere decreased by 76, 87 and 64%, respectively, aswaters flowed through the first basin of the marsh.Winter treatment was less successful, with surfacewater NH₃-N, NO₃-N and TP reductions of46, –26 (export) and 26%, respectively.Short-circuiting of water flow through the marsh andcold seasonal conditions with ice cover caused spatialand temporal variation in marsh treatment. Continuedhigh loadings to the marsh may lead to sediment saturation, eutrophication or phosphorus export from the marsh.     

Comparison of Ammonium Deposition Flux at Roadside and at an Agricultural Area for Long-Term Monitoring: Emission of Ammonia from Vehicles

To understand the effect of the NH₃ emissions from vehicles, the NH₄ ⁺ bulk deposition and concentrations of gaseous NH₃ and particulate NH₄ ⁺ were measured at two sites in Saitama prefecture, Japan, one at the roadside of an arterial road (Kounosu), and the other in an agricultural area (Kisai). We observed that the NH₄ ⁺ bulk deposition and NH₃ concentration were significantly increased in Kounosu; the effect of NH₃ emissions from vehicles was confirmed. NOx was a primary pollutant mainly emitted by vehicle exhaust in the vicinity of arterial roads, and the relationship between NO _x and sum of gaseous NH₃ and particulate NH₄ ⁺ (T-NH₄ ⁺) was examined. The [T-NH₄ ⁺/NO _x ] ratios in Kounosu ranged from 0.08 to 0.23 (average 0.15), and in Kisai they ranged from 0.16 to 0.67 (average 0.39). In Kounosu, the effect of vehicle exhaust was great, but seasonal variation was small. The contribution ratio of NH₃ from vehicle emissions increased at low temperatures, while that from the non-vehicle emissions increased at high temperatures.     

Different responses of ash and beech on nitrate versus ammonium leaf labeling

The effects of tree species on the N cycle in forest systems are still under debate. However, contradicting results of different ¹⁵N labeling techniques of trees and N tracers in the individual studies hamper a generalized mechanistic view. Therefore, we compared Ca(¹⁵NO₃)₂ and ¹⁵NH₄Cl leaf‐labeling method to investigate: (1) N allocation patterns from aboveground to belowground, (2) the cycles of N in soil‐plant systems, and (3) to allow the production of highly ¹⁵N enriched litter for subsequent decomposition studies. 20 beeches (Fagus sylvatica ) and 20 ashes (Fraxinus excelsior ) were ¹⁵N pulse labeled from aboveground with Ca(¹⁵NO₃)₂ and 40 beeches and 40 ashes were ¹⁵N pulse labeled from aboveground with ¹⁵NH₄Cl. ¹⁵N was quantified in tree compartments (leaves, stem, roots) and in soil after 8 d. Beech and ash incorporated generally more ¹⁵N from the applied ¹⁵NH₄Cl compared to Ca(¹⁵NO₃)₂ in all measured compartments, except for ash leaves. Ash had highest ¹⁵N incorporation [45% of the applied with Ca(¹⁵NO₃)₂] in its leaves. Both tree species kept over 90% of all fixed ¹⁵N from Ca(¹⁵NO₃) in their leaves, whereas only 50% of the ¹⁵N from the ¹⁵NH₄Cl tracer remained in the leaves and 50% were allocated to stem, roots, and soil. There was no damage of the leaves by both salts, and thus both ¹⁵N tracers enable long‐term labeling in situ field studies on N rhizodeposition and allocation in soils. Nonetheless, the ¹⁵N incorporation by both salts was species specific: the leaf labeling with ¹⁵NH₄Cl results in a more homogenous distribution between the tree compartments in both tree species and, therefore, ¹⁵NH₄Cl is more appropriate for allocation studies. The leaf labeling with Ca(¹⁵NO₃)₂ is a suitable tool to produce highly enriched ¹⁵N leaf litter for further long term in situ decomposition and turnover studies.     

Amounts and relative significance of runoff types in the transport of nitrogen into a stream draining an agricultural watershed

The concentration and amounts of NO₃-N and TN transported in surface, accelerated subsurface, and subsurface runoff and stream flow draining a 20 ha pasture watershed were measured over a period of 3 yr. A slight decrease and increase of NO₃-N and particulate N concentrations, respectively, were obtained with increased flow of the runoff types and stream, due to dilution and increased sediment transport, respectively. The concentration of NO₃-N in surface, accelerated subsurface and subsurface runoff and stream flow averaged for the 3 yr was 0.3, 6.6, 4.8, and 4.6 mg 1^?1, respectively, amounting to 0.5, 9.4, 11.6, and 16.8 kg ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively, transported annually. Although NO₃-N accounted for only a minor proportion of the TN transported in surface runoff (10%) it was the main form of N (75%) transported in the other runoff types and in streamflow. Subsurface runoff contributed the major proportion of stream discharge (63%), and NO₃-N (69%), particulate N (44%) and TN (65%) loading of the stream. The results are discussed in terms of non-point pollution of surface waters by NO₃-N.     

湘江流域岳麓山周边地区地表水体水化学特征及灌溉适宜性

[目的] 对湘江流域岳麓山地区地表水体进行水化学特征分析及灌溉适宜性评价,为该地区的生态环境保护及水资源综合管理的科学决策提供理论支持。[方法] 以岳麓山周边地区为研究区,从2020年12月至2021年11月采集降水、山涧溪水和湘江河水水样,利用Piper图、Gibbs图、端元图等方法,分析各水体水化学特征以及影响因素。[结果] 降水主要阴阳离子为Ca²⁺,K⁺,SO^2-₄和NO^-₃,无明显水化学类型;山涧溪水主要阴阳离子为Ca²⁺和NO^-₃,主要水化学类型为Cl-Ca·Mg型和Cl-Ca型;湘江河水主要阴阳离子为Ca²⁺和HCO^-₃,主要水化学类型为HCO₃-Ca型。山涧溪水主要受大气降水输入和碳酸盐岩风化控制;湘江河水受碳酸盐岩风化作用影响较大。[结论] Na⁺离子含量,SAR和RSC指标以及其绘制USSL图和Wilcox图分析结果较好,山涧溪水和湘江河水适合用于灌,不易引起盐害或碱害。     

Elemental concentrations in fresh snowfall across a regional transect in the northeastern U.S.: Apparent sources and contribution to acidity

Fresh snowfall was collected on the surface of 8 lakes across a 350 km west-east transect from northeastern New York state to the coast of Maine after a single storm. In addition, every snowfall event during the winter of 1993 was collected on a single lake near the center of the transect. Across the transect, midwestern sources appear to dominate Pb and Cd concentrations, while Sb appears to be derived from midwestern sources as well as local and/or industrial East Coast sources. In all samples, the highest Na, Cl and Mg concentrations reflect a marine influence, but at some transect sites roadspray aerosol appears to contribute to Na and Cl concentrations. The regional pattern of Ca, K, Mn and Sr concentrations and Mn/Sr ratios indicate that woodsmoke may be an important winter source of these elements at some sites. In all samples, H⁺ is strongly correlated with NO₃ ^? (R² = 0.97) and mean NO₃ ^?/SO₄ ^2? molar ratios of 6.4 for transect samples, and 4.7 for temporal samples, are higher than mean NO₃ ^?/SO₄ ^2? reported for other precipitation studies in the same region. The contribution of NO₃ ^? to the snowpack greatly exceeds that of SO₄ ^2?, and may be a major source of acidity in aquatic ecosystems during snowmelt.     

Stream chemistry impacts of conifer harvesting in welsh catchments

Hydrochemical data have been collected for between 6 and 9 years from forest harvesting experiments in small catchments (>10 ha) at Plynlimon and Beddgelert, Wales, UK. Felling resulted in rapid increases in NO ₃ ^? and K⁺ concentrations at both sites. A maximum of 3.2 mg N L^?1 was observed at Plynlimon about one year after the start of felling. Concentrations declined to control stream values (0.5 mg N L^?1) after 5 years. At Beddgelert, NO ₃ ^? concentrations in the manipulated catchments remained above those in the unfelled control catchment for three years, before declining below control values. The NO ₃ ^? pulse was related to increased rates of mineralization and nitrification in the soil after felling. The initial increase in K⁺ concentration after felling at Plynlimon was followed by a slow decline, but concentrations were still above those in the control stream after 5 years. From 4 to 8 years after felling at Beddgelert, K⁺ concentrations fell below and then generally remained lower than control values. The NO ₃ ^? pulse after felling at Plynlimon sustained inorganic anion concentrations above those in the control stream for the first 18 months after felling. As the NO ₃ ^? pulse declined, inorganic anion concentrations decreased to below those in the control stream about 4 years after felling. At Beddgelert, the smaller increase in NO ₃ ^? concentrations had less of an effect on inorganic anion concentrations which decreased after felling relative to values in the control stream. The increase in NO ₃ ^? was associated with temporary streamwater acidification in the felled catchments due to the increased rates of nitrification and nitrate leaching. At Plynlimon, streamwater filterable Al concentrations declined after felling, but controls on Al behaviour are complex and not explained by simple equilibrium relationships with Al(OH)₃ or by variations in inorganic anion concentrations. At Beddgelert, felling had no effect on stream water filterable Al concentrations. Felling at Plynlimon led to a large reduction in streamwater Cl^?, Na⁺ and SO ₄ ^2? concentrations. At Beddgelert reductions in SO ₄ ^2? and ‘sea salt’ ion concentrations were less clear, reflecting the smaller proportions of the catchments which were harvested. Felling had no deleterious effects on water quality, apart from a temporary slight further decline in stream pH at Beddgelert. Increases in NO ₃ ^? concentrations were short-lived and concentrations were well below drinking water standards. Filterable Al concentrations were already higher than statutory standards, but were not increased or decreased through felling.     

A chloride budget for Onondaga Lake,New York,U.S.A.

A Cl budget is presented for a 12 yr period (1970–1981) for Cl enriched (approximate volume-weighted average concentration of 1500 mg Cl L^?1) Onondaga Lake, New York. The budget utilizes continuous discharge and lake and stream water chemistry data, collected at an interval of approximately 2 weeks, over the 12 yr study period. Budget calculations are supplemented by high frequency water chemistry data from the lake and the tributary carrying the major portion of the loading. More than 85% of the external load of Cl (approximately 9 × 10⁸ kg yr^?1) to the lake originates from an alkali manufacturer. Export of Cl from the lake was highly correlated to outflow from the lake (R = 0.915, for a resolution of 1 mo). A good balance between estimated external loads and lake export was obtained (within 7%) for the 12 yr period, indicating that lake concentrations are consistent with external loading of this conservative substance. The results of this analysis contradict previous calculations that indicated 40 to 50% of the Cl in the lake originated from natural internal sources.     

Batch‐Determined Elements Release from Wood Ash Mixed with an Acidic Forest Soil Sample

Abstract

A serial batch leaching experiment was carried out to evaluate the release of elements from wood ash mixed with a strongly acidic forest soil sample. Wood ash application resulted in increased leachate pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and electrical conductivity (EC). Increasing application of wood ash increased cumulative release of inorganic carbon (IC), chloride (Cl), nitrate (NO₃), sulfate (SO₄), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), and copper (Cu). Release of NO₃, P, iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), Cu, and lead (Pb) continued. Large amounts of DOC, K, Ca, and SO₄ were mobilized. Inorganic C, Fe, and Mg were released in moderate quantities. Manganese, Na, Al, Cl, and NO₃ were released in limited amounts. Amounts of leached P, Pb, and Cu were lower. The mixed order equation adequately described the release of elements in the soil‐ash mixture. Accumulation of elevated amounts of trace elements does not appear to be a problem when higher wood ash rates are avoided. Wood ash should be applied in split application to avoid short‐term concentrated alkaline and salty conditions that could interfere with plant growth.     

凉水国家级自然保护区溪流水化学特征分析

 采用集水区对比分析方法,探讨凉水国家级自然保护区不同森林类型对溪流水化学特征的影响。结果表明:保护区内各集水区溪流水均呈弱酸性至中性;主要离子中阳离子均以Ca2+的质量浓度最高,Na+次之,阴离子均以HCO3-的质量浓度最高,SO2-4次之;不同集水区溪流水中TP月平均质量浓度为0.031～0.077mg/L,TN为0.682～0.942 mg/L,NO-3-N的质量浓度高于NH+4-N;Fe的月平均质量浓度为0.030～0.037mg/L,Mn为0.010～0.012 mg/L。溪流水化学季节变化规律表现为:除HCO-3、SO2-4、Ca2+、Fe和Mn外,其他元素在融雪（4、5月）含量均较高;大多数元素在雨季的质量浓度比9月份低,而TN、TP、Fe、Mn表现为9月份的质量浓度低于雨季。保护区内原始阔叶红松林集水区溪流水质为最优,其他研究集水区溪流中的溶解物质含量增高,但除TP和SO2-4（p<0.05）外,差异性均不显著。说明凉水国家级自然保护区内虽进行过森林采伐和人工造林等人为干扰,但对于溪流水质并没有显著影响。     

Regional Distribution of Natural Stream Nitrate in Central Japan

Over 60 natural streams with forested catchments were surveyed for nitrate (NO₃ ^?) concentration in central Japan. Stream NO₃ ^? concentrations showed a clear zonal gradient with a range nearly as large as 100-fold, where their small seasonal variations (av. CV = 27%) justified respective statuses. Elevated NO₃ ^? concentrations (more than 70 µM) described a distribution of N saturation along a course of polluted air advection in the Kanto Plain. The extent of NO₃ ^? leaching from forests was not proportional to atmospheric N deposition probably because of ecosystem N retention. A dependency of NO₃ ^? level on the watershed altitude and quite constant δ¹⁵N of stream NO₃ ^? over a wide NO₃ ^? range were observed, which could be also related to this cause.     

Soil C/N Ratio as Affected by Climate: An Ecological Factor of Forest NO3 − Leaching

The soil nitrogen cycle was investigated for several watershed forests of which stream waters have distinctively different nitrate (NO₃ ^?) concentrations. In a watershed with stream water NO₃ ^? of more than 100 µM, soil NO₃ ^? content increased even beneath the rooting zone, revealing "nitrogen saturation" status. A laboratory soil experiment demonstrated that the proportion of net NO₃ ^? production to CO₂ production was largely regulated by a soil C/N ratio, suggesting a key parameter for NO₃ ^? abundance. In the respective watershed soils, little nitrogen was actually present as NO₃ ^? above a soil C/N ratio of 20. The annual mean soil temperature recorded at the sites was correlated with a shift in the C/N ratio in watershed soils (a soil C/N ratio increase of 0.5 per 1°C decrease) along the stream NO₃ ^? gradient of 30 fold. The results suggest that soil microbial metabolisms affected by C/N ratio may be a direct agent regulating NO₃ ^? leaching from watersheds under the influence of an atmospheric nitrogen load and climate.     

Enhancement of nitrate efflux and the plasma membrane hydrogen ion‐transport activity of barley roots by nitrate treatment

The effect of nitrate (NO₃) on the activities of hydrogen (H⁺)‐ATPase and H⁺‐transport in the plasma membrane vesicles isolated from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Kikaihadaka) roots was investigated. After treatment with 10 mM NO₃ for longer than 24 h, both activities of H⁺‐ATPase and H⁺‐transport assayed in the presence of chloride (Cl) were stimulated less than 20%. While H⁺‐transport activity was approximately two times higher in NO₃‐grown roots than in control roots when assayed in the presence of NO₃ instead of Cl. This result suggests that NO₃ is permeable in the plasma membrane vesicles isolated from NO₃‐grown roots rather than that of the control, and thereby stimulate H⁺‐transport activity through the collapse of positive potentials established by H⁺‐ATPase. Furthermore, NO₃ efflux from roots was markedly enhanced after 48 h of the exposure to NO₃. Taken together, NO₃ efflux may be mediated by the permeability to NO₃ which is induced by NO₃.     

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Stream Chemistry of Japanese Forested Watersheds

Steam chemistry was investigated from May 1991 through April 1992 for 13 Japanese forested watersheds and from May 1990 through August 1994 for two of these watersheds. Nine watersheds were treated over different periods (1983–1991) with different amounts of N (nitrogen) fertilizer as urea and ammonium salts. Total N additions ranged from 20 to 375 kg ha^-1. There were no distinct seasonal differences in stream NO₃ ^- concentrations in either the treated or untreated watersheds, but concentrations tended to be somewhat higher during periods of high discharge. The annual average NO₃ ^- concentrations in streams had a significant, positive (p < 0.001, r = 0.84) relationship to the total amount of N applied from 1985–1991. The application of 330 kg N ha^-1 raised annual average stream NO₃ ^- concentration to about 300 μeq L^-1 compared to less than 160 μeq L^-1 in untreated watersheds. The concentrations of K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg2+ in stream water also increased in those watersheds with high rates of N fertilizer as a result of nitrification that increased the generation of the mobile nitrate anion. The lack of seasonality in stream NO₃ ^- concentrations and the large rates of N loss with N addition both suggest that these watersheds were ‘nitrogen saturated’     

苏南平原稻田灌排水系统中氮磷平衡状况

应用大型原状模拟土柱,对苏南平原典型稻田灌排水系统中,养分的输入输出平衡状况进行定位监测和分析。初步结果表明:稻田生态系统每季水分消耗量在890~1 320 mm之间。稻田能净化灌溉水中养分,不同施肥处理稻田对NH4+-N、NO3--N和TP的净化量分别为10.7~12.3、6.8~9.2和-1.2~2.0kg hm-2。稻田养分淋溶量随着施肥量的增加而增加,但养分净化量与化肥用量之间没有很好的相关性,秸秆对养分净化量的影响不明显,而猪粪明显降低了稻田养分净化量,甚至成为周围水体磷素污染源。稻田对灌溉水中的NH4+-N在整个水稻生长期间均起到净化作用,对NO3--N在水稻生长初期有淋溶风险,而对TP,除了猪粪处理,稻田均呈现出净化作用。     

Nitrate versus chloride nutrition effects in a soil‐plant system on the growth,nitrate accumulation,and nitrogen,potassium, sodium,calcium, and chloride content of carrot

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of various nitrate/ chloride (NO₃/Cl) ratios on growth, nitrate accumulation, and mineral absorption in carrot, Daucus carota L., plants in a controlled environment. The experiment included two Cl sources [potassium chloride (KC1) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂)] and five NO/Clratios at 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 with total‐nitrogen (N) concentration of 400 mg NO₃ kg^‐1 soil in 100/0 treatment. Fresh and dry weights of shoots and storage roots, and length and diameter of storage roots increased significantly with mixed NO₃/C1 treatments with both Cl sources as compared to single NO₃ (100/0) treatment. Growth was enhanced up to the 80/20 NO₃/C1 treatments. With Cl present in the treatments, the concentration of total‐N unchanged and NO₃ decreased in plants, and Cl and potassium (K) increased with the Cl sources. In KC1 treatments, Na absorption decreased. Calcium (Ca) content of the plants significantly differed by the treatments. It was concluded that N fertilization provided with combined Cl forms and NO₃/Cl rates can enhance production of better quality carrot and at the same time decrease of the N fertilizer input.