Four streams in southeast Alaska were studied to determine the effects of forest fertilization with urea on basic productivity and water quality. An initial, short‐term increase in ammonia‐nitrogen was observed in the treated streams, and nitrate‐nitrogen levels increased and remained high compared to control stream levels during the year following treatment. Concentrations did not approach those considered toxic to aquatic life or unsafe for human consumption. Changes in biomass of periphyton and benthic fauna as a result of fertilization were not detected.
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Meehan et al. (1975) studied this question.
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