Isotopic source identification of nitrogen pollution in the Pi River in Chengdu

Abstract

This study used stable isotope (δ¹⁵ N- ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ and δ¹⁸ O- ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ ) ratios, modeled by means of a Bayesian stable isotope analysis in R (SIAR) approach, to identify nitrate sources in the Pi River, which flows through the megacity Chengdu. The goal was to determine where management resources should be applied to reduce nitrogen pollution. Results revealed that ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ was the primary nitrogen species throughout the study area; that it originated in manure and sewage, as well as nitrification of fertilizer and soil nitrogen; and that the nitrogen in the main stream came primarily from the tributaries. Notably, the nitrogen concentration in the tributaries exhibited no evident seasonal variations, further demonstrating that its source was intensive anthropogenic activity. Results of Bayesian model (SIAR) estimation indicated that manure and sewage were the dominant nitrate contributors in the watershed and that the nitrate concentration decreased from 54.19% to 39.57% in response to water treatment. These results empirically demonstrate that the methodology described in this work can be used effectively in catchments affected by intensive anthropogenic activity to determine where management resources should be applied to reduce nitrogen pollution. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1609-1620. © 2022 SETAC.

Keywords: Dual stable isotope; Megacity; Nitrate; SIAR; Source identification.