Comment on "Legacy nitrogen may prevent achievement of water quality goals in the Gulf of Mexico".

Ballard, Tristan C; Michalak, Anna M; McIsaac, Gregory F; Rabalais, Nancy N; Turner, R Eugene · Science · 2019

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Van Meter <i>et al</i> (Reports, 27 April 2018, p. 427) warn that achieving nitrogen reduction goals in the Gulf of Mexico will take decades as a result of legacy nitrogen effects. We discuss limitations of the modeling approach and demonstrate that legacy effects ranging from a few years to decades are equally consistent with observations. The presented time scales for system recovery are therefore highly uncertain.