In this study, the influence of surface water–groundwater interaction on the nutrient flux in a lowland karst catchment in western Ireland was investigated with the aid of alkalinity sampling and a hydrological model. Results indicated that denitrification within a number of ephemeral lakes is the main process reducing nitrogen concentrations within the turloughs, whereas phosphorus loss is thought to occur mostly via sedimentation and subsequent soil deposition.

Removal efficiency of carbon and nitrogen in constructed wetlands is inconsistent and does not reveal whether the removal processes are from physical attenuation or transformation to other reactive forms. Previous research did not consider "pollution swapping" driven by transformational processes. Herein the biogeochemical dynamics and fate of carbon and nitrogen and their potential impact on the environment, as well as novel ways in which these knowledge gaps may be eliminated, are explored.

In this study, the nutrient flux occurring within the surface and groundwaters of a lowland karst catchment in western Ireland was investigated with the aid of alkalinity sampling and a hydrological model. Results indicated that while the system is primarily river fed (allogenic), karst derived recharge (autogenic) adds approximately 85% to the total N-load. Results also suggested that nutrient loss processes were occurring within the system during flooded/wet periods.