Using Dual Isotopes of Nitrate to Identify the Source of Nitrogen Pollution in the Songhua River Basin, Northeast China

Abstract

Nitrogen pollution is a severe problem in the Songhua River Basin (SHR) in China. Samples were collected from 36 sections of the SHR during the high, low, and flat seasons of the river, and the main sources of nitrogen in the water were qualitatively analyzed with isotope data for nitrogen and oxygen of nitrate. The contribution rates of each major pollution source were quantitatively analyzed using the Iso Source mass balance model. The results from these experiments indicate that the values for δ15N-NO3 and δ18O-NO3 in the flat flow season range from 1.52‰ to 14.55‰ and −14.26‰ to 2.03‰, respectively. The values for δ15N-NO3 and δ18O-NO3 in the low flow season range from 6.66‰ to 15.46‰ and −5.82‰ to 65.70‰, respectively. In the low flow season, nitrogen comes from the input of domestic and manure sewage (53%) and soil organic N (45%). The values of δ15N-NO3 and δ18O-NO3 in the high flow season range from 2.07‰ to 14.24‰ and −3.99‰ to 8.03‰, respectively. In the high flow season, nitrogen comes from soil organic nitrogen (41%), domestic and manure sewage (32%), and nitrogen fertilizer (27%), which are the main sources of nitrogen pollution in the SHR. The conclusions from the qualitative and quantitative analysis of nitrogen sources in the SHR can provide a scientific basis for the source control and treatment of nitrogen pollution.

Keywords

• nitrate
• isotope
• Songhua River Basin (SHR)
• pollution contribution rate