Evaluating the utility of 15N and 18O isotope abundance analyses to identify nitrate sources: A soil zone study

Water Research
E MinetW Meier-Augenstein

Abstract

(15)N and (18)O isotope abundance analyses in nitrate (NO(3)(-)) (expressed as δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) values respectively) have often been used in research to help identify NO(3)(-) sources in rural groundwater. However, questions have been raised over the limitations as overlaps in δ values may occur between N source types early in the leaching process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of using stable isotopes for nitrate source tracking through the determination of δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) in the unsaturated zone from varying N source types (artificial fertiliser, dairy wastewater and cow slurry) and rates with contrasting isotopic compositions. Despite NO(3)(-) concentrations being often elevated, soil-water nitrate poorly mirrored the (15)N content of applied N and therefore, δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) values were of limited assistance in clearly associating nitrate leaching with N inputs. Results suggest that the mineralisation and the nitrification of soil organic N, stimulated by previous and current intensive management, masked the cause of leaching from the isotopic prospective. δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) was of little use, as most values were close to or within the range expected for nitrification r...Continue Reading

References

May 18, 2001·Environmental Science & Technology·M MengisB Wehrli
Dec 30, 2009·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Fiona P BrennanKarl G Richards
Jun 2, 2011·Journal of Environmental Monitoring : JEM·Eddy MinetWolfram Meier-Augenstein

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Citations

Nov 7, 2015·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Shiguo XuYa Sun
Jan 7, 2015·Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies·Sergei Verenitch, Asit Mazumder
Jul 20, 2016·The Science of the Total Environment·Alison OrrRaymond Flynn
Jul 3, 2013·Environmental Science & Technology·Geneviève BordeleauSonia Thiboutot
Oct 4, 2016·Journal of Environmental Quality·Peter C Van MetreDaniel T Button
Oct 8, 2020·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Pingping KangSubing Lv
Apr 29, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Shengwei CaoYasong Li

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