Identifying recent sources of organic matter enrichment and eutrophication trends at coastal sites using stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in sediment cores

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We studied the potential for using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in sediment profiles to trace external nutrient sources and eutrophication at four coastal sites in the Baltic Sea. The sites are characterized by various present and past activities in their catchments, including residential development, sugar processing, agriculture and fish farming. Radiometrically dated sediment cores were analysed for nutrient isotope ratios, organic carbon and total nitrogen. Background information was collected from historical sources, literature and water monitoring data. Despite the multiple organic enrichment sources, it was possible to identify individual sources and processes in the sediment profiles using stable isotope analysis of bulk sediment. The largest changes in δ15N values were seen at sites receiving urban wastewaters. The site that received effluents from a sugar cane (C4-plant) refinery in the past showed a clear effect on δ13C values compared to the site that received wastewater from a sugar beet (C3-plant) factory. Fish farming produced detectable, albeit minor changes in the sediment profile. Slightly lower δ13C values reflected the influence of fish feed and fish metabolism, and higher δ15N values likely indicated the influence of increased sediment denitrification. The land-sea connection via river discharge was observable in the overall δ13C levels of the sediment cores. Our results suggest that temporal changes in sources of organic matter enrichment can be detected in well-dated coastal sediment cores using nutrient stable isotope analyses, even at sites subjected to multiple impacts. There is not, however, a simple relationship between sediment stable isotope profiles and the eutrophication history of our study sites.