Ecosystem Stress from Chronic Exposure to Low-levels of Nitrate - a PDH Online Course for Engineers, Surveyors and Architects

Ecosystem Stress from Chronic Exposure to Low-levels of Nitrate

Course Outline

This course will provide the reader with studies that have shown the results of low-level exposure to nitrogen on ecosystems. Several study sites will be evaluated under controlled experiments. The controlled sites were 40 x 40-m plots with varying degrees of fertilizer and mammal manipulation.

This 2 hour course will provide the reader with the knowledge to evaluate the ecosystem stress from chronic exposure to low-levels of nitrate

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student would have learned the following:

The deleterious environmental impacts from bioavailable nitrogen;
How to describe the “Dose of Ecological Significance”;
Characteristics that affect the rate of denitrification;
How bioavailable nitrogen can leach to water bodies;
The best time of the year when carbon limits denitrification;
How anaerobic conditions can affect denitrification;
How NO can have undesirable effects on the environment; and
How nitrite can convert to other nitrogen and oxygen compounds.

Intended Audience and Benefit

This is intended for environmental engineers and scientist, ecologists, geo-hydrologists, municipal engineers, project managers, and any persons working in civil engineering field or anyone with an interest in Ecosystem Stress from Chronic Exposure to Low-Levels of Nitrate.

Course Introduction

Bioavailable nitrogen has been falling in the rain since the industrial revolution. It exists in the ecosystem as a limiting nutrient for plants and animals. Concentrated nitrogen in surface and groundwater can have deleterious effects such as eutrophication, algae blooms, and hypoxia.

Course Content

This course will provide the reader with the knowledge to evaluate the ecosystem stress from chronic exposure to low-levels of nitrate. Several study sites will be evaluated under controlled experiments. This course material is based on the document “Ecosystem Stress from Chronic Exposure to Low-Levels of Nitrate,” as published on the website of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Ecosystem Stress from Chronic Exposure to Low-Levels of Nitrate

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Course Summary

This course will provide the reader with the knowledge to evaluate the ecosystem stress from chronic exposure to low-levels of nitrate.

Using good engineering judgment is always paramount in any situation. Utilizing good judgment and the knowledge gained in this course will aid the reader with the knowledge to evaluate the ecosystem stress from chronic exposure to low-levels of nitrate.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://www.epa.gov/
http://www.usace.army.mil/
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.