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Isotopes for improved management of nitrate pollution in aqueous resources: review of surface water field studies

  • Review Article
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Abstract

Background

Environmental agencies have to take measures to either reduce discharges and emissions of nitrate or to remediate nitrate-polluted water bodies where the nitrate concentrations exceed threshold values. Isotope data can support the identification of nitrate pollution sources and natural attenuation processes of nitrate.

Review

This review article gives an overview of the information available to date regarding nitrate source apportionment in surface waters with the ambition to help improving future studies. Different isotope approaches in combination with physicochemical and hydrological data can successfully be used in source apportionment studies. A sampling strategy needs to be developed based on possible nitrate sources, hydrology and land use. Transformations, transport and mixing processes should also be considered as they can change the isotope composition of the original nitrate source.

Conclusion

Nitrate isotope data interpreted in combination with hydrological and chemical data provide valuable information on the nitrate pollution sources and on the processes nitrate has undergone during its retention and transport in the watershed. This information is useful for the development of an appropriate water management policy.

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Acknowledgement

We thank the network ‘Isotopes for improved management of nitrate pollution in aqueous resources (INPAR)’ for discussing the content of this review article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440, Geel, Belgium

    Angelika Nestler, Michael Berglund & Philip Taylor

  2. Flemish Coordination Centre for Manure Processing (VCM), Abdijbekestraat 9, 8200, Bruges, Belgium

    Frederik Accoe

  3. National Institute of Metrology, Sos Vitan-Barzesti 11 Sector 4, Bucharest, 042122, Romania

    Steluta Duta

  4. Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Laboratory of Applied Physical Chemistry–ISOFYS, Ghent University, Coupure 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Dongmei Xue & Pascal Boeckx

Authors
  1. Angelika Nestler
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  2. Michael Berglund
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  3. Frederik Accoe
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  4. Steluta Duta
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  5. Dongmei Xue
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  6. Pascal Boeckx
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  7. Philip Taylor
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Berglund.

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Responsible Editor: Zhihong Xu

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Nestler, A., Berglund, M., Accoe, F. et al. Isotopes for improved management of nitrate pollution in aqueous resources: review of surface water field studies. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 519–533 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0422-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0422-z

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