The amount of organic nitrogen in the stream may be increased by the conversion of algal biomass nitrogen to organic nitrogen. Organic nitrogen concentration in the stream may be decreased by the conversion of organic nitrogen to NH4+β or the settling of organic nitrogen with sediment. The change in organic nitrogen for a given day is:
ΞorgNstrβ=(Ξ±1ββΟaββalgaeβΞ²N,3ββorgNstrββΟ4ββorgNstrβ)βTT 7:3.2.1
where ΞorgNstrββ is the change in organic nitrogen concentration (mg N/L), Ξ±1β is the fraction of algal biomass that is nitrogen (mg N/mg alg biomass), Οaβ is the local respiration or death rate of algae (dayβ1 or hrβ1), algae is the algal biomass concentration at the beginning of the day (mg alg/L), Ξ²N,3β is the rate constant for hydrolysis of organic nitrogen to ammonia nitrogen (dayβ1 or hrβ1), orgNstrβ is the organic nitrogen concentration at the beginning of the day (mg N/L), Ο4β is the rate coefficient for organic nitrogen settling (dayβ1 or hrβ1), and is the flow travel time in the reach segment (day or hr). The fraction of algal biomass that is nitrogen is user-defined. Equation 7:3.1.17 describes the calculation of the local respiration rate of algae. The calculation of travel time is reviewed in Chapter 7:1.
The user defines the local rate constant for hydrolysis of organic nitrogen to NH at 20C. The organic nitrogen hydrolysis rate is adjusted to the local water temperature using the relationship:
7:3.2.2
where is the local rate constant for hydrolysis of organic nitrogen to NH (day or hr), is the local rate constant for hydrolysis of organic nitrogen to NH at 20C (day or hr), and is the average water temperature for the day or hour (C).
The user defines the rate coefficient for organic nitrogen settling at 20C. The organic nitrogen settling rate is adjusted to the local water temperature using the relationship:
7:3.2.3
where is the local settling rate for organic nitrogen (day or hr), is the local settling rate for organic nitrogen at 20C (day or hr), and is the average water temperature for the day or hour (C).