Improving an existing proxy-based approach for floodplain denitrification assessment to facilitate decision making on restoration.

Excess nitrogen (N) from agricultural sources is a major contributor to the water pollution of rivers in Europe. Floodplains are of tremendous importance as they can permanently remove nitrate (NO) from the environment by releasing reactive N to the atmosphere in its gaseous forms (NO, N) during denitrification. However, the quantitative assessment of this ecosystem function is still challenging, particularly on the national level.