An example for coupled non-conservative pollutants. Ammonia nitrogen is introduced into a marine environment. It decays with time, producing nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. The nitrite nitrogen goes through a peak concentration and then decays as well. The final product nitrate will be taken up by marine plant life. Whether it constitutes a pollutant or has a positive influence on the ecosystem depends on the oxygen demand in the process. (See the text and Figure 16.5.)
contact address: