Combining multi-isotopic and molecular source tracking methods to identify nitrate pollution sources in surface and groundwater

Carrey, Raúl; Ballesté, Elisenda; Blanch, Anicet R.; Lucena, F.; Pons, Pere; López, J.; Rull, Marina; Solà, Joan Perdigó i; Micola, Nuria; Fraile, Josep; Garrido, Teresa; Munné, Antoni; Soler, Albert; Otero, Neus

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2020.116537

Cited by 114 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…For groundwater studies, isotopic techniques using both stable ( 18 O, 2 H, 13 C, 15 N, 34 S, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, 11 B) and radioactive ( 3 H, 14 C, 36 Cl) isotopes have become indispensable, especially because they help to reach investigation results out of the scope of other means, such as geophysics. Indeed, isotope tracers enable determination of the groundwater recharge and drainage rate [28][29][30][31][32][33], the age of fossil groundwaters [34,35], the link between surface water and groundwater [36][37][38][39][40][41], groundwater vulnerability to pollution [42,43], sources of salinity and water pollution [44][45][46][47], and the impact of climate change on groundwater [48,49].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of Physicochemical Water Quality of the Ghis-Nekor Aquifer (Al Hoceima, Morocco) Using Hydrochemistry, Multiple Isotopic Tracers, and the Geographical Information System (GIS)

Nouayti

Cherif

Algarra

et al. 2022

Water

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The chemical characterization of the Ghis-Nekor groundwater has become a concern of many researchers in Morocco. It is a crucial indicator for the environment situation and the socioeconomic development of this Moroccan region. Indeed, it helps decisionmakers carry out conscious and sustainable management. For this reason, 20 samples of the Ghis-Nekor aquifer were examined in terms of physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), and total alkalinity (Alk), major cations–anions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, and TDS), isotopic elements (δ18O, δ2H, and δ13C), and concentrations of Br and Sr anions in 2020. Furthermore, spatial data analysis with a geographic information system (GIS) using the ArcGis software (Redlands, California, USA). Indeed, static maps show significant water quality information that helps characterize the groundwater of the study area. The spatial analysis by the GIS indicates that except the EC (from 2630 to 6950 mS/cm), all the physical parameters showed standard concentration values in most of the samples. A significant concentration above the Moroccan norm of groundwater quality for sodium (Na+) from 264.3 to 1500 mg/L, chlorides (Cl−) concentrations from 408.3 to 1510 mg/L, SO42− from 313.1 to 999.2 mg/L, and bicarbonate (HCO3−) from 283.7 to 679.8 mg/L was observed, while all the points exceeded the recommended standards norm for SO42−. Most of the points met the potability standards for potassium (K+). In terms of the isotopic elements, the concentration values of δ18O were from −3.92‰ to –5.60‰, while the δ2H concentration values varied between −28.67‰ and −39.99‰. The analysis revealed values of carbon isotope δ13C ranging between −3.15‰ and −8.61‰, thus suggesting that the origin of the carbon is mineral, mainly deriving from calcite dissolution. The analysis of the bromide and strontium contents made it possible to discriminate the origin of the salinity anomalies. The Cl/Br, Br/Cl, and Sr/Ca molar ratios distinguished the areas of influence of geological setting (saliferous facies outcrops) or anthropogenic effect (wastewater). The results of the analysis shed light on factors of contamination, which are as follows: urban zones (Imzourene, Ait Youssef, and Souani) and agricultural activities. Therefore, the use of these waters could pose a risk to the health of humans and animals. Similarly, the GIS is a practical and effective tool for the Ghis-Nekor groundwater quality diagnostics and could help decisionmakers establish solutions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of Physicochemical Water Quality of the Ghis-Nekor Aquifer (Al Hoceima, Morocco) Using Hydrochemistry, Multiple Isotopic Tracers, and the Geographical Information System (GIS)

Nouayti

Cherif

Algarra

et al. 2022

Water

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“…In this study, human activities such as fertilizer application, domestic wastewater, and aquacultural waste were the main sources of NO 3 − . Specifically, it was caused by excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers in agricultural lands, rapid urbanization, population growth, and livestock/poultry breeding [53]. The Yellow River Delta is a middle-to-lowyield region where local farmers feel it necessary to use excessive chemical fertilizers for high crop yields.…”

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confidence: 99%

Strong Precipitation and Human Activity Spur Rapid Nitrate Deposition in Estuarine Delta: Multi-Isotope and Auxiliary Data Evidence

Xie

Huang

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The intensive development of the Yellow River Delta has caused huge transportation of non-point pollutants into the Bohai Sea through source river estuaries and thus poses a considerable threat to eco-environmental security in the region. Long-term irrigation in the Yellow River basin, with occasional heavy rainfall and the related effects of ensuring hydrological processes and human activities in terms of nitrate N transport via surface water systems, is unclear. Using stable isotope (δ2H-H2O and δ18O-H2O, δ15N-NO3− and δ18O- NO3−) and auxiliary geographic data, the ISO source model was run to quantitatively analyze the supply relationship of river systems and the rapid change in the spatial pattern of nitrate N due to heavy rainfall in the estuarine delta. This analysis made clear the dominant contribution of agricultural activities and urbanization to NO3−-N emission, on which basis refined management measures were proposed to deal with NO3− in surface water from the “source-process”. The results of the study show that: (1) The relationship of surface water replenishment in the Yellow River Delta was affected not only by rainfall, irrigation, and other water conservancy measures but also the proportion of water from Yellow River flow declined from the source to estuary; (2) To a certain extent, rainfall diluted the concentration of nitrate N in the river and increased instantaneous flux of nitrate N into the sea, where nitrate N flux continuously increased from upstream to downstream; (3) The rapid deposition of nitrate in the estuary delta was driven by heavy rainfall and human activities such as excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, rapid urbanization, and livestock waste discharge, and; (4) Scientific measures were needed to realize the interactive effect of the output of non-point source pollutants and the carrying and absorption capacity of coastal fragile ecosystems of the exogenous inputs.

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“…Whole community analysis for organisms or genes of interest can be tracked using specified genetic or biological markers, and some targeted approaches such as quantitative PCR (qPCR) can be used to track a specific gene or species of interest by providing a result within only a few hours of sample collection. Gene tracking with qPCR has been used successfully to track nitrate contamination (Carrey et al 2021), bacterially mediated denitrification in groundwater (Kim 2020), and communities of oil-degrading bacteria during the Deepwater Horizon Spill (Hazen et al 2010). The qPCR technique also has been used effectively to determine the source of pathogens (Vadde et al 2019).…”

Section: Using Omics To Track Identify and Assess The Extent Of Site ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Large-Data Omics Approaches in Modern Remediation

2022

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Combining multi-isotopic and molecular source tracking methods to identify nitrate pollution sources in surface and groundwater

Cited by 114 publications

References 59 publications

Determination of Physicochemical Water Quality of the Ghis-Nekor Aquifer (Al Hoceima, Morocco) Using Hydrochemistry, Multiple Isotopic Tracers, and the Geographical Information System (GIS)

Determination of Physicochemical Water Quality of the Ghis-Nekor Aquifer (Al Hoceima, Morocco) Using Hydrochemistry, Multiple Isotopic Tracers, and the Geographical Information System (GIS)

Strong Precipitation and Human Activity Spur Rapid Nitrate Deposition in Estuarine Delta: Multi-Isotope and Auxiliary Data Evidence

Large-Data Omics Approaches in Modern Remediation

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