Nitrogen (N) enrichment often results in coastal eutrophication, even in remote areas like Hawai'i. Therefore, determining N sources to coastal waters is important for their management. This study identified N sources to tide pools in Kapoho, Hawai'i, and determined their relative importance using three stable isotopes (δ(15)N, δ(18)O, δ(11)B). Surface waters and macroalgal tissues were collected along 100-m onshore-offshore transects in areas of high groundwater input for three months at low tide. Water samples from possible N sources were also collected. Mixing model output, along with macroalgal δ(15)N values, indicated that agriculture soil (34%) was the largest anthropogenic N source followed by sewage (27%). These findings suggest that more effective fertilizer application techniques and upgrading sewage treatment systems can minimize N leaching into groundwater. Overall, our multi-stable isotope approach for identifying N sources was successful and may be useful in other coastal waters.
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