• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2009

Deposition of atmospheric N that is depleted in $^{15}N$ has shown to decrease N isotope ratio ($^{15}N/^{14}N$,expressed as ${\delta}^{15}N$) of forest samples such as tree rings, foliage, and total soil-N. However, its effect on ${\delta}^{15}N$ of mineral soil-N which is biologically active N pool has never been tested. In this study, ${\delta}^{15}N$ of mineral N($NH{_4}^+$ and $NO_3{^-}$) in forest soils from organic and two depths of mineral soil layers (0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40cm depth) of Pinus densiflora stands located at two distinct areas (rural and industrial areas) in southern Korea was analyzed to investigate if there is any difference in ${\delta}^{15}N$ of mineral N between these areas. We also evaluated potential N loss of the study sites using ${\delta}^{15}N$ of mineral N. Across the soil layers, the ${\delta}^{15}N$ of $NH{_4}^+$ ranged from +8.9 to +24.8‰ in the rural area and from +4.4 to +13.8‰ in the industrial area. Soils from organic layer (+4.4‰) and mineral layer between 0 and 20 cm (+13.8‰) of industrial area showed significantly lower ${\delta}^{15}N$ of $NH{_4}^+$ than those of rural area (+8.9 and +24.3‰, respectively), probably indicating the greater contribution of $^{15}N$-depleted $NH{_4}^+$ from atmospheric deposition to forest in the industrial area than in the rural area. Meanwhile, ${\delta}^{15}N$ of $NO_3{^-}$ was not different between the rural and industrial areas, probably because ${\delta}^{15}N$ of $NO_3{^-}$ is more likely to be altered by the N loss that causes $^{15}N$ enrichment of the remaining soil N pool. Compared with the ${\delta}^{15}N$ of soil mineral N reported by other studies (from -10.9 to +15.6‰ for $NH{_4}^+$ and -14.8 to +5.6‰ for $NO_3{^-}$), the ${\delta}^{15}N$ observed in our study was substantially high, suggesting that the study sites are more subject to the N loss. It was concluded that $NH{_4}^+$ rather than $NO_3{^-}$ can conserve the ${\delta}^{15}N$ signature of atmospheric N deposition in forest ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.459-469
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• 2017

Nitrogen (N) loading from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources can lead to excessive growth of macrophytes or phytoplankton in aquatic environment. Many studies have used stable isotope ratios to identify anthropogenic nitrogen in aquatic systems as a useful method for studying nitrogen cycle. In this study to evaluate the precision and accuracy of denitrification bacteria method (Pseudomonas chlororaphis ssp. Aureofaciens ($ATCC^{(R)}$ 13985)), three reference (IAEA-NO-3 (Potassium nitrate $KNO_3$), USGS34 (Potassium nitrate $KNO_3$), USGS35 (Sodium nitrate $KNO_3$)) were analyzed 5 times repeatedly. Measured the ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{18}O-NO_3$ values of IAEA-NO-3, USGS 34 and USGS35 were ${\delta}^{15}N:4.7{\pm}0.1$‰ ${\delta}^{18}O:25.6{\pm}0.5$‰, ${\delta}^{15}N:-1.8{\pm}0.1$‰ ${\delta}^{18}O:-27.8{\pm}0.4$‰, and ${\delta}^{15}N:2.7{\pm}0.2$‰ ${\delta}^{18}O:57.5{\pm}0.7$‰, respectively, which are within recommended values of analytical uncertainties. Also, we investigated isotope values of potential nitrogen source (soil, synthetic fertilizer and organic-animal manures) and temporal patterns of ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{18}O-NO_3$ values in river samples during from May to December. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{18}O-NO_3$ values are enriched in December suggesting that organic-animal manures should be one of the main N sources in those areas. The current study clarifies the reliability of denitrification bacteria method and the usefulness of stable isotopic techniques to trace the anthropogenic nitrogen source in freshwater ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.97-108
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• 1995

Nitrate concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ value in the groundwater in Miyakojima Island, Okinawa, were measured during 1992-1993. Water from the shallow and the deep wells at the ten separate sites were sampled. Mineral contents and natural nitrogen isotope abundance(${\delta}^{15}N$) were analyzed using a liquid chromatography and a mass spectrometry (Finnigan MAT 252). Except for waters which were directly influenced by sea water invasion, most of the groundwater showed small variations among their mineral contents and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values. The average nitrate nitrogen concentrations were $1.4{\sim}11.5mgL^{-1}$ and average ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were +4.3${\sim}$+9.7$%_o$. From the nitrate concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ value observed, the types of the groundwater could be categorized into four groups, such as high ${\delta}^{15}N$ and high nitrate, high ${\delta}^{15}N$ and medium nitrate, low ${\delta}^{15}N$ and medium nitrate, and low ${\delta}^{15}N$ and low nitrate, reflecting the main source of nitrate contamination, such as animal and domestic waste, animal waste and soil organic matter, soil organic matter and chemical fertilizer, and chemical fertilizer, respectively. It was discussed that the lowest ${\delta}^{15}N$ value was higher than the ${\delta}^{15}N$ value of the chemical fertilizers used in this island(-3.9${\sim}$-1.4$%_o$), then considerable amounts of nitrogen must be lost by ammonium evaporation or denitrification after fertilization.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.119-126
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• 2003

Nitrate-N concentrations and the corresponding ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were determined with water samples collected periodically from artesian wells (3 and 6 m deep), underdrainage and gushout waters in a Welsh onion cultivated area in the Kushibiki Fan, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Average $NO_3-N$ concentrations in waters from 3 and 6 m wells were 25.7 and $2.8mg\;L^{-1}$, whereas ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were 3.6 and 4.7‰, respectively. The $NO_3-N$ concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ value of the underdrainge water were $35.5mg\;L^{-1}$ and 6.6‰, reflecting rapid input of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure. The mean values of $NO_3-N$ concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ in the gushout water flown out of the edge of Kushibiki Fan were $19.4mg\;L^{-1}$ and 7.9‰, respectively. As a results the ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of the gushout water were higher than those of the artesian wells and underdrinage water. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of total-N and $NO_3-N$ of the soils were 6.1 and 5.10‰, respectively, while those for nitrification-inhibitor containing fertilizer and slow-release fertilizers were -6.1 and -2.2‰, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2015

Nitrogen (N) loading from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources can lead to excessive growth of macrophytes or phytoplankton in aquatic environment. Many studies have used nitrogen stable isotope ratios to identify anthropogenic nitrogen in aquatic systems as a useful method for studying nitrogen cycle. In this study to evaluate the precision and accuracy of Kjeldahl processes, two reference materials (IAEA-NO-3, N-1) were analyzed repeatedly. Measured the ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values of IAEA-NO-3 and IAEA-N-1 were $4.7{\pm}0.2$‰ and $0.4{\pm}0.3$‰, respectively, which are within recommended values of analytical uncertainties. Also, we investigated spatial patterns of ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ in effluent plumes from a waste water treatment plant in Han River, Korea. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values are enriched at downstream areas of water treatment plant suggesting that dissolved nitrogen in effluent plumes should be one of the main N sources in those areas. The current study clarifies the reliability of Kjeldahl analytical method and the usefulness of stable isotopic techniques to trace the contamination source of dissolved nitrogen such as nitrate and ammonia.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-76
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• 2019

Despite the expansion of sewage treatment facilities to reduce pollutants in the tributaries of the Han River, water pollution accidents such as fish deaths continue to frequently occur. The purpose of this study was to identify the pollutant sources using water quality and stable isotope ratio (${\delta}^{15}N$, ${\delta}^{13}C$, ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$, ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$) analysis results in the three inflow tributaries (Gulpocheon (GP), Anyangcheon (AY) and Sincheon (SC)) of the Han River. Water quality was analyzed in June and October from 2013 to 2017, and the results showed that the concentrations of nutrients, such as T-N, $NO_3-N$, and T-P, were increased at GP4, AY3, SC3, and SC4, which lie downstream of sewage treatment facilities. The results of ${\delta}^{15}N$ for June 2017 indicated that the source of nitrogen was sewage or livestock excreta at GP4 and SC4, and organic fertilizers at AY3 and SC3. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ results suggested that the source of nitrogen was related to organic sewage, livestock or manure at GP4, AY3 and SC4. Therefore, GP4 and SC4 were more influenced by effluent from sewage treatment facilities than by their tributaries, AY3 and SC3 were considered to be influenced more by their tributary than effluent from sewage treatment facilities. With the results of this study, the source of contamination (sewage treatment facility effluent) of river inflow downstream of Han River could be confirmed using water quality and stable isotope ratio.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.452-458
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• 2017

The nitrogen isotope value in both ammonium and nitrate ion were determined at 9 stations during both June and August 2016, in order to understand the origin of DIN at the Han river. ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values in 8 stations (CP, SB, MHC, P4, SJ, SBC, P2, SC) were no significant variation. However ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_3$ and ${\delta}^{15}N-NH_4$ values in KK (Kyeongan stream) showed significant different in comparison with 8 stations, with an apparent increase of nitrogen isotope values. These results indicate that antropogenic nitrogen source influence on KK station. Also the ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ isotope ratio of phytoplankton (Diatom and Cyanobacteria) in KK (Kyeongan stream) showed heavier values, compared to other study stations. These results indicate that nitrogen isotope value in phytoplankton effects by different nitrogen source in study sites. These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the identification of dissolved inorganic nitrogen origin in aquatic environments.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.239-256
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hydrochemical characteristics of emergency-use groundwater in the Daejeon area, and to elucidate the contamination source of $NO_3-N$ and the origin of sulfate in the groundwater. The groundwater shows weak acidic pH, the electrical conductivity ranging from 142 to $903{\;}\mu\textrm{S}/cm$, and the hydrochemical types of $Ca-HCo_3$ and $Ca-Cl(SO_4,{\;}NO_3)$. The Box-Whisker analysis and the Krigging analysis of chemical data of groundwater were made to demonstrate the concentration distribution of hydrochemical composition, and to compare the trend of hydrochemical data. The groundwater in the area of Dong-gu, Jung-gu and Daeduk-gu, where are old town, shows higher electrical conductivity, nitrate content, sulfate and $EpCO_2$ levels than groundwater in new town area of Seo-gu and Yusung-gu. ${\delta}^{15}N$ of groundwater in the area of Seo-gu and Yusung-gu ranges from +7.4 to $+9.6{\textperthousand}$, indicating that major contamination source of $NO_3-N$ is the leakage from municipal sewage pipe lines. ${\delta}^{15}N$ of groundwater in the old town area of Tong-gu, Jung-gu and Daeduk-gu shows the range between +10.2 and $+23.5{\textperthousand}$, meaning that major contamination source is leakage of septic tank. ${\delta}^{34}S$ of groundwater shows the range of $+3~13.4{\;}{\textperthousand}$. Sulfur isotope indicates the possibility of a sulfate reduction and the input of anthrophogenic source.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 1997

This study was carried out to find out the source of nitrate-nitrogen (NO$_3$-N) contamination in the groundwater in Cheju Island. Among the sites which have exceeded or may exceed the criterion level (10 mg/L) of NO$_3$-N in drinking water, seven sampling sites including two reference sites were chosen. The former regions are mainly agricultural ones (A-1 to A-6) and residential (R). The latter regions are forest (F-1 and F-2). The predicted major source and its contribution to NO$_3$-N concentration at each site, using $\delta$$\^$15/N and NO$_3$-N concentration, were as follow; Those at A-1, R and F-1 was 61.1%, 50.0% and 20.0% to manure or domestic sewage, 27.8%, 45.7% and 40.0% to chemical fertilizers and 11.1%, 4.3% and 40.0% to natural soil, respectively. Those at A-2 to A-6 were 37.8%, 25.0%, 40.9%, 26.2% and 35.7% to manure or domestic sewage, 59.6%, 71.7%, 53.0%, 71.5% and 60.2% to chemical fertilizers and 2.6%, 3.3%, 6.1%, 2.3% and 4.1% to natural soil, respectively.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.407-418
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• 2008

Seawater samples were collected at discrete depths from five stations across the polar front in the Drake Passage (Antarctic Ocean) by the $20^{th}$ Korea Antarctic Research Program in December, 2006. Nitrate concentrations of seawater increase with depth within the photic zone above the depth of Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW). In contrast, ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of seawater nitrate decrease with depth, showing a mirror image to the nitrate variation. Such a distinct vertical variation is mainly attributed to the degree of nitrate assimilation by phytoplankton as well as organic matter degradation of sinking particles within the surface layer. The preferential $^{14}{NO_3}^-$ assimilation by the phytoplankton causes $^{15}{NO_3}^-$ concentration to become high in a closedsystem surface-water environment during the primary production, whereas more $^{14}{NO_3}^-$ is added to the seawater during the degradation of sinking organic particles. The water-mass mixing seems to play an important role in the alteration of ${\delta}^{15}N$ values in the deep layer below the UCDW. Across the polar front, nitrate concentrations of surface seawater decrease and corresponding ${\delta}^{15}N$ values increase northward, which is likely due to the degree of nitrate utilization during the primary production. Based on the Rayleigh model, the calculated ${\varepsilon}$ (isotope effect of nitrate uptake) values between 4.0%o and 5.8%o were validated by the previously reported data, although the preformed ${\delta}^{15}{{NO_3}^-}_{initial}$ value of UCDW is important in the calculation of ${\varepsilon}$ values.