Net anthropogenic nitrogen inputs to watersheds and riverine N export to coastal waters: a brief overview

► Anthropogenic N inputs represent the dominant sources of N to most watersheds and their coastal waters globally. ► Net Anthropogenic Nitrogen Inputs (NANI) include fertilizer N, atmospheric N deposition, crop N fixation, and N in net human food and livestock feed. ► Research has demonstrated empirical relationships between NANI and N export to coastal waters. ► Rivers typically export 15-30% of NANI to coastal waters; hydroclimatic factors explain much of the variation of NANI export in Europe, North America and China.