Title:

Nitrate isotope database for meteoric waters, surface waters, soil waters, and groundwaters

Author(s):

Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Kendall, Carol; Elliott, Emily M.; Schiff, Sherry L.; Barnes, Rebecca T.; Bostic, Joel T.; Buda, Anthony R.; Burns, Douglas A.; Campbell, John L.; Dail, D. Bryan; Eshleman, Keith N.; Fernandez, Ivan J.; Finlay, Jacques C.; Goodale, Christine L.; Griffiths, Natalie A.; Hall, Steven J.; Lawrence, Gregory B.; Lovett, Gary M.; McHale, Patrick J.; Mitchell, Myron J.; Nelson, David M.; Nelson, Sarah J.; Ohte, Nobuhito; Pardo, Linda H.; Rose, Lucy A.; Ross, Donald S.; Sabo, Robert D.; Shanley, James B.; Shattuck, Michelle D.; Spoelstra, John; Weintraub, Samantha R.; Wickman, Trent R.; Williard, Karl W. J.

Publication Year:

2019

How to Cite:

These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Kendall, Carol; Elliott, Emily M.; Schiff, Sherry L.; Barnes, Rebecca T.; Bostic, Joel T.; Buda, Anthony R.; Burns, Douglas A.; Campbell, John L.; Dail, D. Bryan; Eshleman, Keith N.; Fernandez, Ivan J.; Finlay, Jacques C.; Goodale, Christine L.; Griffiths, Natalie A.; Hall, Steven J.; Lawrence, Gregory B.; Lovett, Gary M.; McHale, Patrick J.; Mitchell, Myron J.; Nelson, David M.; Nelson, Sarah J.; Ohte, Nobuhito; Pardo, Linda H.; Rose, Lucy A.; Ross, Donald S.; Sabo, Robert D.; Shanley, James B.; Shattuck, Michelle D.; Spoelstra, John; Weintraub, Samantha R.; Wickman, Trent R.; Williard, Karl W. J. 2019. Nitrate isotope database for meteoric waters, surface waters, soil waters, and groundwaters. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2019-0003


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Abstract:

This data publication includes water chemistry, nitrate isotopic values (δ15N and δ18O), apportioned amounts of unprocessed atmospheric nitrate in freshwaters, streamflow, streamflow apportioned into quick flow, and associated metadata. Data were collected from forested or predominantly forested catchments in the United States and Canada. Some samples were collected for this study or were compiled from published and unpublished studies. The compiled data are from many individual studies on more than 100 catchments measured between 1995 and 2016 from the United States and Canada. The sample types include precipitation (bulk and wet deposition), snow, snow melt, throughfall, stream water, seep water, spring water, soil water, and groundwater. While the data are freely and publicly available, we urge users to cautiously consider limitations of data. Values in this data publication were measured using several different methods (column, bacterial denitrifier, and chemical denitrifier). The absolute values of δ18O in nitrate from the column method may be inaccurate due to particular methodological steps that were used to prepare and analyze samples prior to 2003. Despite absolute errors, distinct end-members and mixed waters (when all were measured) maintain relative ranges. As such, the data from the column method before 2003 may be interpretable for some studies, while inappropriate for other data analyses and interpretations. After 2003, there was general movement to assess and correct exchange and fractionation via use of a more consistent and expansive suite of reference standards. Plus, the denitrifier methods emerged at about that time, and has effectively supplanted use of the column method and led to improved accuracy and precision in nitrate isotope studies. Future contributions of data are welcome and additional data can be added to this repository via contact with the lead author.

Keywords:

environment; inlandWaters; Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment; Hydrology, watersheds, sedimentation; nitrate isotopes; isotopic tracers of nitrogen sources; forest hydrology; isotopic tracers of solute sources; nitrification; nitrate source apportionment; freshwaters; groundwater; precipitation; seeps and springs; snow core; snow melt; soil water; stream water; throughfall; Abitibi Uplands; Adirondack Mountains; Allegheny Plateau; Appalachian Mountains; Arnot Forest; Bear Brook Watershed; Bowl Research Natural Area; Buck Creek Watershed; Cornell Natural Area; Fernow Experimental Forest; Howland Forest; Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest; Huntington Forest; Marcell Experimental Forest; Red Butte Creek Watershed; Savannah River Site; Sleepers River Research Watershed; Turkey Lakes Watershed; Valley & Ridge Province; United States; Connecticut; Utah; Maine; Maryland; Minnesota; New Hampshire; New York; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Vermont; West Virginia; Ontario; Canada; Northern Forest region

Related publications:

• Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Ross, Donald S.; Shanley, James B.; Elliott, Emily M.; Kendall, Carol; Campbell, John L.; Dail, D. Bryan; Fernandez, Ivan J.; Goodale, Christine L.; Lawrence, Gregory B.; Lovett, Gary M.; McHale, Patrick J.; Mitchell, Myron J.; Nelson, Sarah J.; Shattuck, Michelle D.; Wickman, Trent R.; Barnes, Rebecca T.; Bostic, Joel T.; Buda, Anthony R.; Burns, Douglas A.; Eshleman, Keith N.; Finlay, Jacques C.; Nelson, David M.; Ohte, Nobuhito; Pardo, Linda H.; Rose, Lucy A.; Sabo, Robert D.; Schiff, Sherry L.; Spoelstra, John; Williard, Karl W. J. 2019. Unprocessed atmospheric nitrate in waters of the Northern Forest Region in the U.S. and Canada. Environ. Sci. Technol. 53(7): 3620-3633. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01276
• Griffiths, Natalie A.; Jackson, C. Rhett; McDonnell, Jeffrey J.; Klaus, Julian; Du, Enhao; Bitew, Menberu M. 2016. Dual nitrate isotopes clarify the role of biological processing and hydrologic flow paths on nitrogen cycling in subtropical low-gradient watersheds. J. Geophys. Res.: Biogeosciences. 121(2): 422-437. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JG003189
• Barnes, Rebecca T.; Raymond, Peter A.; Casciotti, Karen L. 2008. Dual isotope analyses indicate efficient processing of atmospheric nitrate by forested watersheds in the northeastern U.S. Biogeochemistry. 90(1): 15-27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-008-9227-2
• More (31 total)

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