Coupling the dual isotopes of water (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) and nitrate (δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O): A new framework for classifying current and legacy groundwater pollution.

ABSTRACT: Nitrate contamination of groundwater is a concern globally, particularly in agricultural regions where decades of fertilizer nitrogen (N) use has led to a legacy of N accumulation in soils and groundwater. Linkages between current management practices and groundwater nitrate dynamics are often confounded by the legacy effect, and other processes unrelated to management. A coupled analysis of dual stable isotopes of water (δH₂O = δ²H and δ¹⁸O) and nitrate (δNO₃ ^- = δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O) can be a powerful approach to identify sources and processes responsible for groundwater pollution. To assess how management practices impact groundwater nitrate, we interpreted behavior of δH₂O and δNO₃ ^-,

SUBMITTER: Weitzman JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8059602 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature