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Ion-exchange method in the collection of nitrate from freshwater ecosystems for nitrogen and oxygen isotope analysis: a review

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Abstract

Nitrate (NO3 −) contamination of freshwater is considered one of the most prevalent global environmental problems. Dual stable isotopic compositions (δ15N and δ18O) of NO3 − can provide helpful information and have been well documented as being a powerful tool to track the source of NO3 − in freshwater ecosystems. The ion-exchange method is a reliable and precise technique for measuring the δ15N and δ18O of NO3 − and has been widely employed to collect NO3 − from freshwater ecosystems. This review summarizes and presents the principles, affecting factors and corresponding significant improvements of the ion-exchange method. Finally, potential improvements and perspectives for the applicability of this method are also discussed, as are suggestions for further research and development drawn from the overall conclusions.

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Abbreviations

WHO:

World Health Organization

IRMS:

Isotope ratio mass spectrometer

USGS:

United States Geological Survey

EA-IRMS:

Elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry

IAEA:

International atomic energy agency

H/D:

Height to diameter

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Acknowledgments

This study was made possible through a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41401556, 31261120580, and 31400346), Key Technology Research and Development Program of Science and Technology Department in Zhejiang province (2012C13012) and Scientific Research Foundation for Young Scholars, Hangzhou Normal University (PD12002004131).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, China

    Wen-Bing Li, Yao-Bin Song, Hong-Ke Xu, Ling-Yun Chen, Wen-Hong Dai & Ming Dong

  2. State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China

    Wen-Bing Li & Ming Dong

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  1. Wen-Bing Li
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  2. Yao-Bin Song
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  3. Hong-Ke Xu
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  6. Ming Dong
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Correspondence to Ming Dong.

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Li, WB., Song, YB., Xu, HK. et al. Ion-exchange method in the collection of nitrate from freshwater ecosystems for nitrogen and oxygen isotope analysis: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 9575–9588 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4522-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4522-7

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