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Kypritidou Z, Kelepertzis E, Kritikos I, Kapaj E, Skoulika I, Kostakis M, Vassilakis E, Karavoltsos S, Boeckx P, Matiatos I. Geochemistry and origin of inorganic contaminants in soil, river sediment and surface water in a heavily urbanized river basin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172250. [PMID: 38599404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the geochemistry and contamination of rivers affected by anthropogenic activities is paramount to water resources management. The Asopos river basin in central Greece is facing environmental quality deterioration threats due to industrial, urban and agricultural activities. Here, the geochemistry of river sediments and adjacent soil in terms of major and trace elements (Al, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and the geochemical composition of surface water in terms of major ions, trace elements and nutrients along the Asopos river basin were determined. In addition, this study characterized potential nitrate sources through the analysis of stable isotope composition of NO3- (δ15Ν-ΝΟ3- and δ18Ο-ΝΟ3-). Results indicated that specific chemical constituents including nutrients (NO2-, NH4+, PO43-) and major ions (Na+, Cl-) were highest in the urban, industrialized and downstream areas. On the other hand, nitrate (NO3-) concentration in river water (median 7.9 mg/L) showed a decreasing trend from the upstream agricultural sites to the urban area and even more in the downstream of the urban area sites. Ionic ratios (NO3-/Cl-) and δ15Ν-ΝΟ3- values (range from +10.2 ‰ to +15.7 ‰), complemented with a Bayesian isotope mixing model, clearly showed the influence of organic wastes from septic systems and industries operating in the urban area on river nitrate geochemistry. The interpretation of geochemical data of soil and river sediment samples demonstrated the strong influence of local geology on Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni content, with isolated samples showing elevated concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, mostly within the industrialized urban environment. The calculation of enrichment factors based on the national background concentrations provided limited insights into the origin of geogenic metals. Overall, this study highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to assess the impact of the geological background and anthropogenic activities on river waters and sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacharenia Kypritidou
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Efstratios Kelepertzis
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece.
| | - Ioannis Kritikos
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Emanuela Kapaj
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Iro Skoulika
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Kostakis
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanuel Vassilakis
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Karavoltsos
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84 Athens, Greece
| | - Pascal Boeckx
- Isotope Bioscience Laboratory-ISOFYS, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Ioannis Matiatos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 46.7 km of Athens-Sounio Ave., 19013 Anavissos, Attikis, Greece
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Deb S, Lewicka-Szczebak D, Rohe L. Microbial nitrogen transformations tracked by natural abundance isotope studies and microbiological methods: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:172073. [PMID: 38554959 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient in the environment that exists in multiple oxidation states in nature. Numerous microbial processes are involved in its transformation. Knowledge about very complex N cycling has been growing rapidly in recent years, with new information about associated isotope effects and about the microbes involved in particular processes. Furthermore, molecular methods that are able to detect and quantify particular processes are being developed, applied and combined with other analytical approaches, which opens up new opportunities to enhance understanding of nitrogen transformation pathways. This review presents a summary of the microbial nitrogen transformation, including the respective isotope effects of nitrogen and oxygen on different nitrogen-bearing compounds (including nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and nitrous oxide), and the microbiological characteristics of these processes. It is supplemented by an overview of molecular methods applied for detecting and quantifying the activity of particular enzymes involved in N transformation pathways. This summary should help in the planning and interpretation of complex research studies applying isotope analyses of different N compounds and combining microbiological and isotopic methods in tracking complex N cycling, and in the integration of these results in modelling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Deb
- Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Wrocław, pl. M. Borna 9, 50-204 Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Lena Rohe
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Bundesallee 65, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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3
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Zhan M, Zeng W, Wu C, Chen G, Meng Q, Hao X, Peng Y. Impact of organic carbon on sulfide-driven autotrophic denitrification: Insights from isotope fractionation and functional genes. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 255:121507. [PMID: 38537490 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
Additional organics are generally supplemented in the sulfide-driven autotrophic denitrification system to accelerate the denitrification rate and reduce sulfate production. In this study, different concentrations of sodium acetate (NaAc) were added to the sulfide-driven autotrophic denitrification reactor, and the S0 accumulation increased from 7.8% to 100% over a 120-day operation period. Batch experiments revealed a threefold increase in total nitrogen (TN) removal rate at an Ac--C/N ratio of 2.8 compared to a ratio of 0.5. Addition of organic carbon accelerated denitrification rate and nitrite consumption, which shortened the emission time of N2O, but increased the N2O production rate. The lowest N2O emissions were achieved at the Ac--C/N ratio of 1.3. Stable isotope fractionation is a powerful tool for evaluating different reaction pathways, with the 18ε/15ε values in nitrate reduction ranging from 0.5 to 1.0. This study further confirmed that isotope fractionation can reveal denitrifying nutrient types, with the 18ε (isotopic enrichment factor of oxygen)/15ε (isotopic enrichment factor of nitrogen) value approaching 1.0 for autotrophic denitrification and 0.5 for heterotrophic denitrification. Additionally, the 18ε/15ε values can indicate changes in nitrate reductase. There is a positive correlation between the 18ε/15ε values and the abundance of the functional gene napA, and a negative correlation with the abundance of the gene narG. Moreover, 18ε and 15ε were associated with changes in kinetic parameters during nitrate reduction. In summary, the combination of functional gene analysis and isotope fractionation effectively revealed the complexities of mixotrophic denitrification systems, providing insights for optimizing denitrification processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Zhan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Wei Zeng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Congcong Wu
- Technology R&D Center of Beijing Drainage Group Co.,Ltd, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Gangxin Chen
- Technology R&D Center of Beijing Drainage Group Co.,Ltd, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Qingan Meng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xiaojing Hao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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4
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Zhou X, Li H, Wang A, Gurmesa GA, Wang X, Chen X, Zhang C. Effect of increased carbon load on denitrification efficiency and nitrate isotope enrichment factors in subsurface wastewater infiltration system. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2023; 95:e10849. [PMID: 36856133 DOI: 10.1002/wer.10849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Denitrification plays a dominant role in nitrate removal in subsurface wastewater infiltration system (SWIS). However, the effect of increased carbon (C) load on denitrification efficiency in the SWIS remain unclear. In this study, we used analyses of stable isotopes of nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) in nitrate to investigate the N and O isotope enrichment factors (15 ε and 18 ε) and quantified N losses via denitrification in SWIS. The results demonstrated that an increase in C loads positively affected the pollutant removal performance of SWIS. The natural abundance of 15 N and 18 O increased with decreasing nitrate concentration from 12.5 to 7.3 mg/L, accompanied by increased 15 ε and 18 ε from -8.7‰ to -10.6‰ and -5.9‰ to -8.2‰, respectively, as the C load increased from 18 to 36 g/(m2 d). The contribution of denitrification to nitrate removal was 62%, 71%, and 77% when C loads were 18, 27, and 36 g/(m2 d), respectively, indicating that increased C loads could improve the nitrate removal through denitrification in SWIS. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Increasing C loads positively affected the nitrate removal performance of SWIS. N and O isotope enrichment factors of nitrate increased with the enhancement of influent C load. A C load of 36 g/(m2 d) is recommended in SWIS to improve the N removal performance and denitrification efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xulun Zhou
- School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haibo Li
- School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Geshere Abdisa Gurmesa
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Xueyan Wang
- School of Energy and Water Resources, Shenyang Institute of Technology, Fushun, China
| | - Xi Chen
- School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chenxi Zhang
- School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
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Hu J, Pan M, Han T, Zhuang Z, Cao Y, Yang K, Li Y, Liu W. Identification of nitrate sources in the Jing River using dual stable isotopes, Northwest China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:68633-68641. [PMID: 34273081 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate (NO3-) contamination has become a dominant international problem in the aquatic environment, so identifying the sources and transformations of NO3- is the basis for improving water quality. Since the Jing River is the largest tributary of the Wei River, to understand its water quality, this study collected surface water samples from the Shaanxi section of the Jing River during the dry season. The potential sources of NO3- were analyzed by hydrochemical and bi-isotopic methods, and the SIAR model was used to estimate the proportional contribution of each source. Results indicated that NO3--N was the main form of inorganic nitrogen in this area, and the average total nitrogen content was 10.23 mg·L-1, which showed that nitrogen pollution was highly serious; the transformation process of nitrogen in this study area was mainly nitrification; The results of Bayesian model showed that manure and sewage contributed to the most NO3- (64.39%) in the dry season, followed by soil nitrogen, which was 26.35%. These results help to adopt better nitrogen management measures to meet the national environmental quality standards for surface water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Mengyan Pan
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, School of Water and Environment, Chang' an University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Tianhao Han
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, School of Water and Environment, Chang' an University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Zhi Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, School of Water and Environment, Chang' an University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Yunning Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Kaili Yang
- Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yuliang Li
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, School of Water and Environment, Chang' an University, Xi'an, 710054, China.
| | - Weiguo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Yu L, Zheng T, Hao Y, Zheng X. Determination of the nitrogen isotope enrichment factor associated with ammonification and nitrification in unsaturated soil at different temperatures. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111670. [PMID: 34256074 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
For nitrogen (N) migration and transformation from unsaturated soil to groundwater, the N stable isotope (δ15N) was modified due to the isotope fractionation effect. To quantitatively evaluate the N cycle in groundwater systems, the determination of isotope fractionation is decisive. In this research, for the first time, incubation experiments were conducted to quantitatively investigate the N isotope enrichment factor (ϵp/s) associated with ammonification in unsaturated soil. Under weak isotopic fractionation, the Rayleigh function cannot be directly applied during ammonification. Thus, we proposed a different method calculating the ϵp/s values during ammonification, which were -0.03‰ for 15 °C and -2.34‰ for 30 °C. Moreover, for the first time, experimental equipment is presented to explore the isotopic fractionation effects under the co-occurrence of nitrification and volatilization. The results indicated that the isotope effect of volatilization during nitrification can be ignored in this study, and the ϵp/s values during nitrification were -10.59 and -6.81‰ at 15 and 30 °C, respectively. This work provides a novel arrangement determining the crucial parameters for identifying nitrate pollution sources in groundwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Tianyuan Zheng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| | - Yujie Hao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Xilai Zheng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
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7
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Onodera T, Komatsu K, Kohzu A, Kanaya G, Mizuochi M, Syutsubo K. Differences in the isotopic signature of activated sludge in four types of advanced treatment processes at a municipal wastewater treatment plant. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 286:112264. [PMID: 33684800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The natural abundance of stable isotopes is a powerful tool for evaluating biological reactions and process conditions. However, there are few stable isotope studies on the wastewater treatment process. This study carried out the first investigation on variations in natural abundance of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) of activated sludge in four types of advanced treatment process (extended aeration activated sludge (EAAS), aerobic-anoxic-aerobic (A2O), recycled nitrification-denitrification (RND), and modified Bardenpho (MB)) at a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The δ13C and δ15N values of influent suspended solids settled in the primary sedimentation tank (i.e., primary sludge) ranged from -25.4‰ to -24.6‰ and 0.5‰-2.9‰, respectively, during monitoring periods. The δ13C values of the activated sludge were -24.6‰ to -23.6‰ (EAAS), -25.4‰ to -24.3‰ (A2O), -25.7‰ to -24.9‰ (RND), and -25.7‰ to -24.3‰ (MB). The δ13C values of the activated sludge were similar to those of influent suspended solids. However, the δ13C values of activated sludge in EAAS was significantly higher than in A2O, RND, and MB. Meanwhile, the δ15N values of activated sludge were obviously higher than influent suspended solids; 5.8‰-7.5‰ (EAAS), 6.6‰-8.1‰ (A2O), 5.5‰-7.5‰ (RND), and 5.3‰-7.6‰ (MB). Changes in δ13C and δ15N values of the activated sludge within the treatment system were also found. These findings indicate that changes in δ13C and δ15N values of the activated sludge rely on important function for biological wastewater treatment such as nitrification, denitrification, and methane oxidation through wastewater treatment over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Onodera
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiro Komatsu
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Ayato Kohzu
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Gen Kanaya
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Motoyuki Mizuochi
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Kazuaki Syutsubo
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
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Kotajima S, Koba K, Ikeda D, Terada A, Isaka K, Nishina K, Kimura Y, Makabe A, Yano M, Fujitani H, Ushiki N, Tsuneda S, Yoh M. Nitrogen and Oxygen Isotope Signatures of Nitrogen Compounds during Anammox in the Laboratory and a Wastewater Treatment Plant. Microbes Environ 2020; 35. [PMID: 33162466 PMCID: PMC7734408 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me20031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Isotopic fractionation factors against 15N and 18O during anammox (anaerobic ammonia oxidization by nitrite) are critical for evaluating the importance of this process in natural environments. We performed batch incubation experiments with an anammox-dominated biomass to investigate nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) isotopic fractionation factors during anammox and also examined apparent isotope fractionation factors during anammox in an actual wastewater treatment plant. We conducted one incubation experiment with high δ18O of water to investigate the effects of water δ18O. The N isotopic fractionation factors estimated from incubation experiments and the wastewater treatment plant were similar to previous values. We also found that the N isotopic effect (15εNXR of -77.8 to -65.9‰ and 15ΔNXR of -31.3 to -30.4‰) and possibly O isotopic effect (18εNXR of -20.6‰) for anaerobic nitrite oxidation to nitrate were inverse. We applied the estimated isotopic fractionation factors to the ordinary differential equation model to clarify whether anammox induces deviations in the δ18O vs δ15N of nitrate from a linear trajectory of 1, similar to heterotrophic denitrification. Although this deviation has been attributed to nitrite oxidation, the O isotopic fractionation factor for anammox is crucial for obtaining a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms controlling this deviation. In our model, anammox induced the trajectory of the δ18O vs δ15N of nitrate during denitrification to less than one, which strongly indicates that this deviation is evidence of nitrite oxidation by anammox under denitrifying conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shotoku Kotajima
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Keisuke Koba
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University.,Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Daisuke Ikeda
- Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Akihiko Terada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.,Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Kazuichi Isaka
- Hitachi, Ltd.,Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University
| | - Kazuya Nishina
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute of Environmental Sciences
| | | | - Akiko Makabe
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.,Project Team for Development of New-generation Research Protocol for Submarine Resources, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.,Present address: Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Super-cutting-edge Grand and Advanced Research (SUGAR) Program, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
| | - Midori Yano
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.,Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University
| | - Hirotsugu Fujitani
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University.,Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University
| | - Norisuke Ushiki
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University
| | - Satoshi Tsuneda
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University
| | - Muneoki Yoh
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
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9
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Sun S, Zhang J, Cai C, Cai Z, Li X, Wang R. Coupling of non-point source pollution and soil characteristics covered by Phyllostachys edulis stands in hilly water source area. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 268:110657. [PMID: 32510428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The non-point source pollution of drinking water source areas is a global issue which is mainly caused by unreasonable management of the commercial forests growing in the upstream areas. However the occurrence and specific mechanism of runoff pollution in these areas have not been approached. In order to clarify the factors influencing the non-point source pollution in the area, the test plot in Fushi Reservoir watershed covered by Phyllostachys edulis plantations with pure and modified stands was chosen, and the characteristics of soil chemical properties, enzyme activities and the coupling between soil factors and surface runoff of were initially analyzed, the relationship between soil factors and surface runoff pollutants was examined using redundancy analysis. The results showed that pH, soil nitrate reductase (S-NR) and catalase (S-CAT) were the key factors affecting the differentiation of water quality in surface runoff. The total nitrogen (TN) concentration in surface runoff was positively correlated with S-NR but negatively correlated with pH, TN and alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN) concentrations in soil. The total phosphorus (TP) concentration was negative correlation with soil pH and TP. In addition, the permanganate index (CODMn) concentration has positive correlation with urease (S-UE), acid phosphatase (S-ACP) and organic matter (SOM) in soil. These results suggest that soil enzyme activities are more sensitive than soil nutrient status, and could be used as indicators of non-point source pollution assessing. Moreover, pollution in this area could be effectively controlled by enhancing vegetation coverage and ameliorating soil environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyong Sun
- Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang, 311400, China.
| | - Jianfeng Zhang
- Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang, 311400, China.
| | - Chunju Cai
- International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, 100102, China.
| | - Zeyu Cai
- Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang, 311400, China.
| | - Xiaogang Li
- Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang, 311400, China.
| | - Rongjia Wang
- Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang, 311400, China.
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10
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Yu L, Zheng T, Zheng X, Hao Y, Yuan R. Nitrate source apportionment in groundwater using Bayesian isotope mixing model based on nitrogen isotope fractionation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 718:137242. [PMID: 32105927 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Accurate identification of nitrate (NO3-) sources is critical to address the issue of groundwater pollution. The nitrogen (N) isotopic enrichment factor (ɛp/s) is an important parameter to explain the N cycle and determine the proportional contribution of NO3- sources. Considering the isotopic fractionation effects in N transformation processes, this study quantitatively analyzed the NO3- sources in groundwater using stable isotopes (δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3-) and the Bayesian isotope mixing model (SIAR). For the first time, the ɛp/s values (0.0‰, -8.7‰, -8.7‰, and 14.7‰) of atmospheric deposition (AD), soil nitrogen (SN), chemical fertilizers (CF), and manure and sewage (M&S) were calculated to determine the NO3- source apportionment in groundwater. It was proved that the isotopic fractionation effect could produce a more accurate NO3- source apportionment. We also found that the NO3- source contributions were closely related to the cropping system. In the vegetable cultivation area, CF (54.32%) and SN (37.75%) were the dominant NO3- source, while in the grain cultivation area, NO3- pollution was largely influenced by SN (33.67%), CF (33.27%), and M&S (30.16%). According to this study, the isotope fractionation is strongly recommended for NO3- source apportionment in groundwater system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Tianyuan Zheng
- College of Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
| | - Xilai Zheng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
| | - Yujie Hao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Ruyu Yuan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
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11
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Onodera T, Kanaya G, Kohzu A, Syutsubo K. Distribution in natural abundances of stable isotopes of nitrate and retained sludge in a nitrifying bioreactor: Drastic changes in isotopic signatures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 705:134438. [PMID: 31837546 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study determined the spatial and temporal changes in natural abundance of stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O) with regard to nitrate (NO3-) and retained sludge in a nitrifying bioreactor. The bioreactor was continuously fed with synthetic wastewater including ammonium for 61 days at 20 °C. After the start-up period of the bioreactor, the NO3- concentration in the effluent gradually increased. The stable isotopes (δ15N and δ18O) of NO3- in the effluent also increased in a phase of incomplete nitrification. The profile experiments showed that the concentration and stable isotopes of NO3- changed simultaneously along the wastewater flow in the bioreactor. The stable isotope analysis revealed that nitrification efficiency seems to be strongly related to the δ15N of NO3-. Moreover, the δ13C and δ15N of the retained sludge drastically changed along the reactor length, from -26‰ to -18‰ and from 5‰ to 30‰, respectively, after 61 days of operation. The isotopic composition of the retained sludge might be affected by the isotope ratios (δ15N and δ18O) of NO3- in the bioreactor. Therefore, the isotope signatures of the retained sludge seem to closely reflect process performance such as nitrification efficiency throughout the operational period. Our findings suggest that the spatial distribution of the isotopic composition of the retained sludge can be used to detect process occurrence within the bioreactor over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Onodera
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Gen Kanaya
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Ayato Kohzu
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Kazuaki Syutsubo
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan.
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12
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Xin J, Liu Y, Chen F, Duan Y, Wei G, Zheng X, Li M. The missing nitrogen pieces: A critical review on the distribution, transformation, and budget of nitrogen in the vadose zone-groundwater system. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 165:114977. [PMID: 31446294 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.114977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Intensive agriculture and urbanization have led to the excessive and repeated input of nitrogen (N) into soil and further increased the amount of nitrate (NO3-) leaching into groundwater, which has become an environmental problem of widespread concern. This review critically examines both the recent advances and remaining knowledge gaps with respect to the N cycle in the vadose zone-groundwater system. The key aspects regarding the N distribution, transformation, and budget in this system are summarized. Three major missing N pieces (N in dissolved organic form, N in the deep vadose zone, and N in the nonagricultural system), which are crucial for closing the N cycle yet has been previously assumed to be insignificant, are put forward and discussed. More work is anticipated to obtain accurate information on the chemical composition, transformation mechanism, and leaching flux of these missing N pieces in the vadose zone-groundwater system. These are essential to support the assessment of global N stocks and management of N contamination risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xin
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Fei Chen
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yijun Duan
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Guanli Wei
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Xilai Zheng
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Miao Li
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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13
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Hattori S, Nuñez Palma Y, Itoh Y, Kawasaki M, Fujihara Y, Takase K, Yoshida N. Isotopic evidence for seasonality of microbial internal nitrogen cycles in a temperate forested catchment with heavy snowfall. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 690:290-299. [PMID: 31291607 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Hokuriku district of central Japan receives high levels of precipitation during winter, largely in the form of snow. This study aimed to elucidate the internal nitrogen dynamics in this temperate forested region with heavy snowfall using the triple oxygen and nitrogen isotopic compositions of NO3-. The isotopic compositions of NO3- in atmospheric depositions (P and Tf), with terrestrial components of the soil layer (A0, S25, S55, and S90), ground water (G), and output (St) were measured from 2015 to 2016 in a forested catchment located in the southern area of the Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Seasonal distributions of Δ17O(NO3-) showed a decreasing trend from the inputs to outputs of the ecosystem. We found relatively constant Δ17O(NO3-) values in the output components (G and St), but found highly fluctuating Δ17O(NO3-) values resulting from the seasonal variations in the nitrification activity within soil waters. Specifically, we observed a lower nitrifying activity in the top soil layer throughout cold periods, presumably due to the input of cold melted snow water. The general trend of increasing δ15N(NO3-) value from the input to output components, with the changes in denitrification hotspots from shallow to deeper soil layer, can be observed between warm and cold periods. Thus, the seasonal changes of hotspots related to microbial nitrification and denitrification could be noted due to the seasonal changes in the isotopic compositions of nitrate. The estimated ecosystem-scale gross nitrification and denitrification rates are low; however, the output components are relatively stable with low concentrations of nitrate, indicating that the plant uptake of nitrogen most probably occurs at greater rates and scales in this forested ecosystem. Future nitrogen deposition and the vulnerable dynamics of snow melting are likely to have impactful consequences on such localities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Hattori
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4529 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan.
| | - Yoshio Nuñez Palma
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Engineering, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4529 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan
| | - Yuko Itoh
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
| | - Moeko Kawasaki
- Nakanoto General Agriculture and Forestry Office, Ishikawa Prefecture, 33 Ni-bu, Kojima-machi, Nanao, Ishikawa 926-0852, Japan
| | - Yoichi Fujihara
- Faculty of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308, Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Keiji Takase
- Faculty of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308, Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Naohiro Yoshida
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4529 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan; Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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14
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Yu L, Mulder J, Zhu J, Zhang X, Wang Z, Dörsch P. Denitrification as a major regional nitrogen sink in subtropical forest catchments: Evidence from multi-site dual nitrate isotopes. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2019; 25:1765-1778. [PMID: 30776171 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Increasing nitrogen (N) deposition in subtropical forests in south China causes N saturation, associated with significant nitrate (NO3- ) leaching. Strong N attenuation may occur in groundwater discharge zones hydrologically connected to well-drained hillslopes, as has been shown for the subtropical headwater catchment "TieShanPing", where dual NO3- isotopes indicated that groundwater discharge zones act as an important N sink and hotspot for denitrification. Here, we present a regional study reporting inorganic N fluxes over two years together with dual NO3- isotope signatures obtained in two summer campaigns from seven forested catchments in China, representing a gradient in climate and atmospheric N input. In all catchments, fluxes of dissolved inorganic N indicated efficient conversion of NH4+ to NO3- on well-drained hillslopes, and subsequent interflow of NO3- over the argic B-horizons to groundwater discharge zones. Depletion of 15 N- and 18 O-NO3- on hillslopes suggested nitrification as the main source of NO3- . In all catchments, except one of the northern sites, which had low N deposition rates, NO3- attenuation by denitrification occurred in groundwater discharge zones, as indicated by simultaneous 15 N and 18 O enrichment in residual NO3- . By contrast to the southern sites, the northern catchments lack continuous and well-developed groundwater discharge zones, explaining less efficient N removal. Using a model based on 15 NO3- signatures, we estimated denitrification fluxes from 2.4 to 21.7 kg N ha-1 year-1 for the southern sites, accounting for more than half of the observed N removal. Across the southern catchments, estimated denitrification scaled proportionally with N deposition. Together, this indicates that N removal by denitrification is an important component of the N budget of southern Chinese forests and that natural NO3- attenuation may increase with increasing N input, thus partly counteracting further aggravation of N contamination of surface waters in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Yu
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Jan Mulder
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Jing Zhu
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
- Department of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
| | - Xiaoshan Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhangwei Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peter Dörsch
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
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15
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Wells NS, Clough TJ, Johnson-Beebout SE, Elberling B, Baisden WT. Effects of denitrification and transport on the isotopic composition of nitrate (δ 18O, δ 15N) in freshwater systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 651:2228-2234. [PMID: 30326455 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate isotopes (δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3-) are a potentially powerful tool for tracking the biological removal of reactive nitrogen (N) as it is transported from land to sea. However, uncertainties about, 1) the variability of the strength of biological isotopic fractionation during anaerobic benthic NO3- reduction (the kinetic enrichment factor: εdenit), and, 2) how accurately these εdenit values are expressed in overlying aerobic surface waters (the effective enrichment factor: εeff), currently limit their use in freshwater systems. Here we used a combination of incubation experiments and numerical modelling to construct a simple framework for defining freshwater εdenit based on interactions between benthic denitrification and diffusive transport to surface waters. Under non-limited, anaerobic conditions the εdenit values produced in submerged soils (n = 3) and sediments (n = 4) with denitrification rates between 10 and 600 mg N m-2 d-1 ranged from -3‰ to -28‰. Critically, model results indicated that diffusive transport would homogenise this to an effective fractionation range of -6 ± 4‰. Evidence for biological and hydrological variability of NO3- isotope fractionation means that values measured in aerobic surface water environments are most appropriately evaluated by a range of fractionation values, rather than commonly used single 'site specific' εdenit values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi S Wells
- Department of Soil & Physical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture & Life Sciences, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand; Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, School of Environment, Science & Engineering, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore 2480, NSW, Australia.
| | - Tim J Clough
- Department of Soil & Physical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture & Life Sciences, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
| | - Sarah E Johnson-Beebout
- Crop and Environmental Science Division, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Bo Elberling
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - W Troy Baisden
- National Isotope Centre, GNS Science, 30 Gracefield Road, Gracefield, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand; Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
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