Isotopic Characterization of Sulfate in a Shallow Aquifer Impacted by Agricultural Fertilizer.

ABSTRACT: The stable isotope ratios of groundwater sulfate (³⁴ S/³² S, ¹⁸ O/¹⁶ O) are often used as tracers to help determine the origin of groundwater or groundwater contaminants. In agricultural watersheds, little is known about how the increased use of sulfur as a soil amendment to optimize crop production is affecting the isotopic composition of groundwater sulfate, especially in shallow aquifers. We investigated the isotopic composition of synthetic agricultural fertilizers and groundwater sulfate in an area of intensive agricultural activity, in Ontario, Canada. Groundwater samples from an unconfined surficial sand aquifer (Lake Algonquin Sand Aquifer) were analyzed from multi-level monitoring wells, riverbank seeps, and private domestic wells. Ferti

SUBMITTER: Spoelstra J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8518714 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature