01530nas a2200169   4500008004100000245007600041210006900117300001300186490000600199520096800205100001501173700001801188700002101206700001701227700001801244856009801262       2005                        eng d00aEstimation of stream nutrient uptake from nutrient addition experiments0 aEstimation of stream nutrient uptake from nutrient addition expe  a174 -1820 v33 aNutrient uptake in streams is often quantified by determining nutrient uptake length. However, current methods for measuring nutrient uptake length are often impractical, expensive, or demonstrably incorrect. We have developed a new method to estimate ambient nutrient uptake lengths using field experiments involving several levels of nutrient addition. Data analysis involves plotting nutrient addition uptake lengths versus added concentration and extrapolating to the negative ambient concentration. This method is relatively easy, inexpensive, and based on sound theoretical development. It is more accurate than the commonly used method involving a single nutrient addition. The utility of the method is supported by field studies directly comparing our new method with isotopic tracer methods for determining uptake lengths of phosphorus, ammonium, and nitrate. Our method also provides parameters for comparing potential nutrient limitation among streams.1 aPayn, R.A.1 aWebster, J.R.1 aMulholland, P.J.1 aValett, H.M.1 aDodds, W., K.  uhttp://129.130.186.12/content/estimation-stream-nutrient-uptake-nutrient-addition-experiments