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Dual isotope analyses indicate efficient processing of atmospheric nitrate by forested watersheds in the northeastern U.S.

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Abstract

Nitrogen from atmospheric deposition serves as the dominant source of new nitrogen to forested ecosystems in the northeastern U.S. By combining isotopic data obtained using the denitrifier method, with chemical and hydrologic measurements we determined the relative importance of sources and control mechanisms on nitrate (NO3 −) export from five forested watersheds in the Connecticut River watershed. Microbially produced NO3 − was the dominant source (82–100%) of NO3 − to the sampled streams as indicated by the δ15N and δ18O of NO3 −. Seasonal variations in the δ18O–NO3 − in streamwater are controlled by shifting hydrologic and temperature affects on biotic processing, resulting in a relative increase in unprocessed NO3 − export during winter months. Mass balance estimates find that the unprocessed atmospherically derived NO3 − stream flux represents less than 3% of the atmospherically delivered wet NO3 − flux to the region. This suggests that despite chronically elevated nitrogen deposition these forests are not nitrogen saturated and are retaining, removing, and reprocessing the vast majority of NO3 − delivered to them throughout the year. These results confirm previous work within Northeastern U.S. forests and extend observations to watersheds not dominated by a snow-melt driven hydrology. In contrast to previous work, unprocessed atmospherically derived NO3 − export is associated with the period of high recharge and low biotic activity as opposed to spring snowmelt and other large runoff events.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

CASTNet:

Clean Air Status and Trends Network

DIN:

Dissolved inorganic nitrogen

IAEA:

International Atomic Energy Agency

18O:

Oxygen-18

15N:

Nitrogen-15

NADP:

National Atmospheric Deposition Program

NH4 + :

Ammonium

NO3 − :

Nitrate

NO2 − :

Nitrite

VSMOW:

Vienna standard mean ocean water

δ:

delta

‰:

per mill

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to M. McIlvin for help with NO3 − isotope analysis, M. Hastings for insights on atmospheric deposition corrections, P. Stacey for atmospheric flux data, K. Mull, D. Butman, D. Karwan, B. Feingold, M. Bozeman and C. May for their assistance in the field, and R. Streigl and three anonymous reviewers for providing comments on an earlier draft. This work was funded by an EPA STAR Fellowship (FP-91637501-1) and a grant from QLF/The Sound Conservancy to RTB.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 21 Sachem Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

    Rebecca T. Barnes & Peter A. Raymond

  2. Department of Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 360 Woods Hole Road, Mail Stop 52, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA

    Karen L. Casciotti

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  1. Rebecca T. Barnes
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Correspondence to Rebecca T. Barnes.

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Barnes, R.T., Raymond, P.A. & Casciotti, K.L. Dual isotope analyses indicate efficient processing of atmospheric nitrate by forested watersheds in the northeastern U.S.. Biogeochemistry 90, 15–27 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-008-9227-2

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