Global Monitoring of Nitrogen Isotopes in Atmospheric Waters

Closed for proposals

Project Type

Coordinated Research Project

Project Code

F32008

CRP

2209

Approved Date

7 December 2017

Status

Closed

Start Date

28 May 2018

Expected End Date

30 June 2023

Completed Date

7 March 2023

Participating Countries

Australia
Belgium
Brazil
China
Costa Rica
Cuba
Estonia
Ghana
Greece
India
Italy
Kenya
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Thailand
United States of America
Viet Nam

Description

The increasing production of food and energy worldwide has multiplied today's anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere, which are transported and deposited through precipitation on the terrestrial and aquatic systems. Disruption of N-balance, eutrophication in rivers and lakes, and stream acidification are a few of the negative consequences, when N-deposition exceeds the remediation capacity or critical load of the aquatic system. Environmental isotopes have been widely used not only to assess hydrological processes, but also to address water quality issues, such as nitrogen pollution. This CRP aims to determine the spatio-temporal distribution of nitrogen isotopes in precipitation as a potential source of nitrogen pollution of water resources, especially of aquatic systems sensitive to eutrophication stressors. This CRP aims to combine N-isotopes with atmospheric chemistry and hydrometeorological techniques to better understand wet deposition processes and to characterize the origin of inorganic nitrogen loadings. Overall, the CRP will aim at improving the capability and expertise among participating Member States in the use of environmental isotopes to assess impacts of nitrogen wet deposition on water quality and ecosystems.

Objectives

To improve capability and expertise among Member States in the use of environmental isotopes to better assess impacts of nitrogen wet deposition on water quality.

Specific objectives

Explore the use of N-isotopes in precipitation networks in order to determine spatial patterns of N-isotope values that can be used to determine the relative contribution of nitrogen wet deposition in the degradation of water systems.

Improve the application of N-isotopes combined with other isotope and chemistry substances to better define the origin of nitrogen in precipitation and evaluate the impact of nitrogen wet deposition on water resources and ecosystems.

Assess and improve the understanding and interpretation of nitrogen transformations related to wet deposition.

Explore the use of N-isotopes in precipitation networks in order to determine spatial patterns of N-isotope values that can be used to determine the relative contribution of nitrogen wet deposition in the degradation of water systems.

Improve the application of N-isotopes combined with other isotope and chemistry substances to better define the origin of nitrogen in precipitation and evaluate the impact of nitrogen wet deposition on water resources and ecosystems.

Assess and improve the understanding and interpretation of nitrogen transformations related to wet deposition.

Impact

CRP has a significant positive impact on the development of the nuclear application to support water quality studies. Particularly, Member States tested and applied routine use of environmental isotopes for the assessment of nitrogen wet deposition that can impact surface water and pose an eutrophication. TECDOC will provide a continuous guidance on the sampling, analysis and data interpretation and ensure the CRP outputs sustainability. Tested method was discussed and implemented in the TC projects in Latin America (Costa Rica) and Africa (Mauritius). Additionally, method, approach and data derived from the CRP were used in the Master and PhD studies in developing countries.

Relevance

CRP advanced understanding of possible environmental and anthropogenic impacts of nitrogen deposition on water resources for optimal water resources management and remediation strategies.

CRP Publications

Type

Article

Year

2020

Publication URL

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00105

Description

Nitrogen Isotope Differences between Major Atmospheric NOy Species: Implications for Transformation and Deposition Processes

Country/Organization

China

Type

Article

Year

2021

Publication URL

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-15327-x

Description

Stable isotopic characterization of nitrate wet deposition in the tropical urban atmosphere of Costa Rica

Country/Organization

Costa Rica

Type

Article

Year

2022

Publication URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2021.105971

Description

Isotopic composition (d15N, d18O) of nitrate in high-frequency precipitation events differentiate atmospheric processes and anthropogenic NOx emissions

Country/Organization

IAEA

Type

Article

Year

2020

Publication URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653519322635

Description

Nitrate sources and formation of rainwater constrained by dual isotopes in Southeast Asia: Example from Singapore

Country/Organization

Singapore

Type

Article

Year

2020

Publication URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653519322635

Description

Nitrate sources and formation of rainwater constrained by dual isotopes in Southeast Asia: Example from Singapore

Country/Organization

Singapore

Type

Article

Year

2020

Publication URL

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00105

Description

Nitrogen Isotope Differences between Major Atmospheric NOy Species: Implications for Transformation and Deposition Processes

Country/Organization

China

Type

Article

Year

2021

Publication URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004565352102275X

Description

Fresh and aged PM2.5 and their ion composition in rural and urban atmospheres of Northern Thailand in relation to source identification

Country/Organization

Thailand

Type

Short Communication

Year

2020

Description

Nitrogen isotope differences between atmospheric nitrate and corresponding nitrogen oxides: A new constraint using oxygen isotopes

Country/Organization

China

Type

Article

Year

2021

Publication URL

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20356-0

Description

Important contributions of non-fossil fuel nitrogen oxides emissions

Country/Organization

China

Type

Article

Year

2023

Publication URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/10256016.2023.2177649

Description

Nitrate isotopes ( d15N, d18O) in precipitation: best practices from an international coordinated research project

Country/Organization

IAEA

Type

Article

Year

2022

Publication URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119300

Description

Imprints of anthropogenic air pollution sources on nitrate isotopes in precipitation in a tropical metropolitan area

Country/Organization

Brazil

Type

Short Communication

Year

2020

Description

Nitrogen isotope differences between atmospheric nitrate and corresponding nitrogen oxides: A new constraint using oxygen isotopes

Country/Organization

China

Type

Article

Year

2021

Publication URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118740

Description

Distinguishing in-cloud and below-cloud short and distal N-sources from high-temporal resolution seasonal nitrate and ammonium deposition in Vienna, Austria.

Country/Organization

IAEA

Type

Article

Year

2021

Publication URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004565352102275X

Description

Fresh and aged PM2.5 and their ion composition in rural and urban atmospheres of Northern Thailand in relation to source identification

Country/Organization

Thailand

Type

Article

Year

2021

Publication URL

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20356-0

Description

Important contributions of non-fossil fuel nitrogen oxides emissions

Country/Organization

China

Type

Article

Year

2021

Publication URL

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-15327-x

Description

Stable isotopic characterization of nitrate wet deposition in the tropical urban atmosphere of Costa Rica

Country/Organization

Costa Rica

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