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Isotopic signature of nitrate in two contrasting watersheds of Brush Brook, Vermont, USA

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Abstract

We used the dual isotope method to study differences in nitrate export in two subwatersheds in Vermont, USA. Precipitation, soil water and streamwater samples were collected from two watersheds in Camels Hump State Forest, located within the Green Mountains of Vermont. These samples were analyzed for the δ15N and δ18O of NO −3 . The range of δ15N–NO −3 values overlapped, with precipitation −4.5‰ to +2.0‰ (n = 14), soil solution −10.3‰ to +6.2‰ (n = 12) and streamwater +0.3‰ to +3.1‰ (n = 69). The δ18O of precipitation NO −3 (mean 46.8 ± 11.5‰) was significantly different (P < 0.001) from that of the stream (mean 13.2 ± 4.3‰) and soil waters (mean 14.5 ± 4.2‰) even during snowmelt periods. Extracted soil solution and streamwater δ18O of NO −3 were similar and within the established range of microbially produced NO −3 , demonstrating that NO −3 was formed by microbial processes. The δ15N and δ18O of NO −3 suggests that although the two tributaries have different seasonal NO −3 concentrations, they have a similar NO −3 source.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

C/N:

Ratio of carbon to nitrogen

δ:

Delta

DI:

Deionized distilled

DOC:

Dissolved organic carbon

DOM:

Dissolved organic matter

IAEA:

International Atomic Energy Agency

N:

Nitrogen

15N:

Nitrogen-15

NADP:

National Atmospheric Deposition Program

NH +4 :

Ammonium ion

NO −3 :

Nitrate ion

18O:

Oxygen-18

18Ow:

Oxygen-18 of H2O

‰:

Per mil

spp:

Species

USGS:

United States Geological Survey

V-SMOW:

Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water

VT:

Vermont

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Andrea Donlon and Shelley Gustafson for their assistance in the field. We would also like to thank Fred Magdoff, Jamie Shanley and Wendy Sue Harper for their thoughtful review of this manuscript. Beverley Wemple of UVM’s Geography Dept. was of great assistance in preparing the watershed map and hydrograph analysis. We also thank Jon Denner and Jamie Shanley of the USGS, Montpelier VT, for the installation and maintenance of the V-notch weirs. This project was partially funded by Vermont EPSCoR and USDA Hatch.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Conservation, 103 S. Main St., Waterbury, VT, 05671, USA

    Heidi C. Hales

  2. Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA

    Donald S. Ross

  3. Department of Geology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA

    Andrea Lini

Authors
  1. Heidi C. Hales
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  2. Donald S. Ross
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  3. Andrea Lini
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Correspondence to Heidi C. Hales.

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Hales, H.C., Ross, D.S. & Lini, A. Isotopic signature of nitrate in two contrasting watersheds of Brush Brook, Vermont, USA. Biogeochemistry 84, 51–66 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-007-9074-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-007-9074-6

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