Determination of nitrate sources in a karst plateau reservoir based on nitrogen and oxygen isotopes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Investigating the sources, migration and proportional contribution of nitrate is essential to effectively protect water quality. δ 15N-NO3 –, δ 18O-NO3 – and Stable Isotope Analysis in R (SIAR) were used to qualitatively and quantitatively analyse nitrate sources in the Pingzhai Reservoir water body. The values of δ 15N-NO3 – and δ 18O-NO3 – in water vary with season. Soil organic nitrogen and chemical fertilisers are the main sources of nitrate in autumn, while domestic sewage and livestock manure are the primary sources of nitrate in winter and spring. The SIAR results showed that chemical fertilisers, livestock manure, sewage, and soil organic nitrogen had the highest proportional contribution. In autumn, the proportional contribution of chemical fertilisers to river and reservoir were 47 and 51 %. During winter, the proportional contributions of livestock manure and sewage to river and reservoir were 53 and 68 %, respectively, and in spring 49 and 68 %, respectively. Considering the fragility of karst ecosystems, strict measures should be formulated for the use of chemical fertilisers and standards for sewage discharge should be raised. Control nitrogen input from agricultural activities and prevent water quality deterioration.