Modelling of the contribution of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) from litterfall of adjacent mangrove forest to Hooghly-Matla estuary, India

Sensitivity analysis reveals that the leaching rate of soil organic nitrogen to total organic nitrogen of water and loss rate of soil organic nitrogen as humic acid and fulvic acids are very sensitive parameters in this system. Redox potential plays an important role in the conversion of soil total nitrogen to soil inorganic nitrogen whereas soil temperature is considered to be key factor regulating the microbial activity for the conversion of soil organic nitrogen to soil inorganic nitrogen. Similarly in water, total organic nitrogen of water including dissolved organic nitrogen and particulate organic nitrogen is dependent on soil organic nitrogen. The dissolved organic nitrogen, particulate organic nitrogen and soil inorganic nitrogen ultimately get converted into dissolved inorganic nitrogen and accumulated in water which is taken by phytoplankton and microflora as minerals.