What are the most common sources of nitrogen in our estuaries and ponds?
Nitrogen in Falmouth’s estuaries comes from three dominant sources: precipitation and road runoff, septic systems and fertilizers that are spread on lawns, golf courses and agricultural areas. Nitrogen from all of these sources moves into ground water, which then seeps into rivers and estuaries. In Falmouth’s estuaries, septic systems are the largest source of nitrogen, followed by precipitation, then fertilizers. Nitrogen from septic systems and fertilizer can be controlled locally. Controlling nitrogen in precipitation depends on national and international laws to control the pollution that causes acid rain.
