MONITORING NITROGEN POLLUTION FROM SUGARCANE RUNOFF USING 15N ANALYSIS |
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| Authors: | Lindau C W Delaune R D Alford D P |
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| Institution: | 1. Nuclear Science Center/Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute, Louisiana State University, 70803, Baton Rouge, LA, U.S.A.
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| Abstract: | In many forested wetlands of Louisiana, surface water quality is being deteriorated by nutrient input from adjacent agricultural production areas. This field study assesses the input of fertilizer N, applied to sugarcane fields, to forested wetlands. The potential use of natural abundance variations in 15N14N ratios for identification and tracing surface water N sources (NH 4 + - and NO3 --N) was evaluated. Runoff and surface water samples were collected from sugarcane fields and bordering forested wetlands (6 stations) over a 16 month period and analyzed for NH 4 + -N, NO 3 - -N, and associated NH 4 + -δ15N and NO 3 - -δ15N ratios. Fertilizer N draining into adjacent forested wetland was estimated to be only a small fraction of the amount applied. Concentrations of NH 4 + - and NO 3 - -N in the collected water samples were low and ranged from 0.02 to 1.79 mg L-1. Isotopic analysis revealed NH 4 + -δ15N and NO 3 - -δ15N means were distinctive and may have the potential to be used as tracers of N contamination. The mean NH 4 + -δ15N value was +18.6 ± 7.1‰ and the NO 3 - -δ15N mean was +8.3 ± 3.1‰. Anomalously high NO 3 - -δ15N values (>30‰) were attributed to denitrification. |
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