Publication Details |
Category | Text Publication |
Reference Category | Journals |
DOI | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.086 |
Title (Primary) | Isotopic composition of nitrogen species in groundwater under agricultural areas: A review |
Author | Nikolenko, O.; Jurado, A.; Borges, A.V.; Knöller, K.; Brouyѐre, S. |
Journal | Science of the Total Environment |
Year | 2018 |
Department | CATHYD |
Volume | 621 |
Page From | 1415 |
Page To | 1432 |
Language | englisch |
Keywords | Agriculture; Groundwater pollution; Stable isotope analysis; N isotopes; N anthropogenic sources; N cycle processes |
UFZ wide themes | RU2; |
Abstract |
This work reviews applications of stable isotope analysis to the studies of transport and transformation of N species in groundwater under agricultural areas. It summarizes evidence regarding factors affecting the isotopic composition of NO3−, NH4+ and N2O in subsurface, and discusses the use of 11B, 18O, 13C, 34S, 87Sr/86Sr isotopes to support the analysis of δ15N values. The isotopic composition of NO3−, NH4+ and N2O varies depending on their sources and dynamics of N cycle processes. The reported δ15N-NO3− values for sources of NO3− are: soil organic N – + 3‰–+8‰, mineral fertilizers – − 8‰–+7‰; manure/household waste – + 5‰ to + 35‰. For NH4+ sources, the isotopic signature ranges are: organic matter – + 2.4–+4.1‰, rainwater – − 13.4–+2.3‰, mineral fertilizers – − 7.4–+5.1‰, household waste – + 5–+9‰; animal manure – + 8–+11‰. For N2O, isotopic composition depends on isotopic signatures of substrate pools and reaction rates. δ15N values of NO3− are influenced by fractionation effects occurring during denitrification (ɛ = 5–40‰), nitrification (ɛ = 5–35‰) and DNRA (ɛ not reported). The isotopic signature of NH4+ is also affected by nitrification and DNRA as well as mineralization (ɛ = 1‰), sorption (ɛ = 1–8‰), anammox (ɛ = 4.3–7.4‰) and volatilization (ɛ = 25‰). As for the N2O, production of N2O leads to its depletion in 15N, whereas consumption – to enrichment in 15N. The magnitude of fractionation effects occurring during the considered processes depends on temperature, pH, DO, C/NO3− ratio, size of the substrate pool, availability of electron donors, water content in subsoil, residence time, land use, hydrogeology. While previous studies have accumulated rich data on isotopic composition of NO3− in groundwater, evidence remains scarce in the cases of NH4+ and N2O. Further research is required to consider variability of δ15N-NH4+ and δ15N-N2O in groundwater across agricultural ecosystems. |
Persistent UFZ Identifier | https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=20005 |
Nikolenko, O., Jurado, A., Borges, A.V., Knöller, K., Brouyѐre, S. (2018): Isotopic composition of nitrogen species in groundwater under agricultural areas: A review Sci. Total Environ. 621 , 1415 - 1432 |