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Nitrogen isotope tracing of dissolved inorganic nitrogen behaviour in tidal estuaries
Middelburg, J.J.; Nieuwenhuize, J. (2001). Nitrogen isotope tracing of dissolved inorganic nitrogen behaviour in tidal estuaries. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 53(3): 385-391. https://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ecss.2001.0805
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Non-open access 144454 [ request ]
Keywords
    Ammonium compounds
    Chemical elements > Nonmetals > Atmospheric gases > Nitrogen
    Chemical reactions > Denitrification
    Ions > Anions > Nitrate
    Isotopes > Nitrogen isotopes
    Physics > Mechanics > Dynamics
    ANE, British Isles, England, Thames Estuary [Marine Regions]; ANW, USA, Delaware Estuary [Marine Regions]; Belgium, Scheldt [Marine Regions]; France [Marine Regions]; France, Loire
    Marine/Coastal; Brackish water; Fresh water
Author keywords
    Thames; Scheldt; Loire; nitrogen; nitrate; ammonium; nitrogen isotopes
Authors  Top 
  • Middelburg, J.J.
  • Nieuwenhuize, J.
Abstract
    Concentration versus salinity diagrams are the most widely used method to derive estuarine sources and sinks of nitrogen. This method can not distinguish conservative mixing due to a lack of activity, from that due to an approximate balance of sources and sinks. The combined study of concentration and nitrogen isotopic signatures may provide this information because balanced sources and sinks do affect the isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen. This is illustrated with three cases of European tidal estuaries: the Scheldt (Belgium/The Netherlands), the Thames (U.K.) and the Loire Estuary (France). Concentration versus salinity diagrams for nitrate showed conservative mixing for the Thames and Loire estuaries and nitrate generation in the Scheldt Estuary. The d15N of nitrate versus salinity diagram confirmed the conservative behaviour for the Thames Estuary and the non-conservative behaviour for the Scheldt Estuary, but revealed active nitrate turnover in the Loire Estuary. Concentration and d15N of ammonium versus salinity diagrams consistently showed non-conservative mixing as a result of ammonium consumption.
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