• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2010

The geochemical and nitrogen isotopic analyses for shallow groundwater of Ogcheon area were carried out to characterize the geochemical characteristics of the groundwater and to identify the source of nitrate. Groundwater shows a neutral pH to weakly alkalic condition with pH values ranging from 6.9 to 8.4. The average of EC, Eh and DO is $344.2\;{\mu}s/cm$, 195 mV, 4 mg/L, respectively. According to piper diagram, chemical composition of groundwater is dominantly characterized by Ca-$HCO_3$ type. On the other hand, groundwater type in the study area include Ca-Cl+$NO_3$ type that were highly influenced by agricultural activities. $NO_3$-N concentration of the collected samples(n=45) range from 12.4 to 34.2 mg/l. These data show that the $NO_3$-N concentration exceeds Korea Drinking Water Standard (10 mg/l). The $\delta^{15}N-NO_3$ values range from $2.7^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$ to $18.8^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$. The enrichments of heavy isotope in the groundwater indicate that major origin of nitrate pollution were associated with animal and human waste. Also the denitrification may have partly contributed as one of the sources of nitrogen.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2014

Organic carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of particulate organic matter (POM) were determined at 7 stations (6 stations in Han river and Paldang dam outflow station) from May to October 2013, in order to understand the origin of POM at the Han river. ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of POM in four stations showed significant seasonal changes season, but ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were enriched in around Kyeongan stream (K). POC, PN and Chl-a concentration showed a similar seasonal pattern in Kyeongan stream, with an apparent decrease from July to August. POC and PN concentration has a higher correlation with Chl-a concentration in Kyeongan stream (K). ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of POM has a lighter value during lower Chl-a concentration peroid, compared to other seasons. Our results revealed that Kyeongan stream (K) seemed to be influenced by substantial amount of organic manure or fertilizer input in 2013, compared to the previous year (2012). These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the identification of organic matter origin in aquatic environments.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to clarify the origin of organic matters on sediment and the characteristics of seasonal variation at an estuarine tidal flat. Silt-clay content (<63 ${\mu}m$), chlorophyll a, TOC, C/N ratio and the stable isotope ratio of carbon and nitrogen were measured at tidal flat around the estuary of the Nanakita River. As a result, organic matters originating from marine organic matter and bethic microalgae greatly contributed to sedimentation of organic matters at Stn.A, sandy tidal flat, though terrigenous organic matters did at Stn.C, muddy tidal flat. Furthermore, it was revealed that the volume and origin of organic matters in the sediments depended on seasonal variation, and the factors were different from the Stns, i.e. bentic microalgae and event for Stn.A, and the eventual sedimentation of organic matters originating from terrestrial plants, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.7 no.1_2 s.8
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• pp.35-40
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• 1999

Chemical and isotopic compositions of hydrocarbon gases were analyBed to characterize the properties of the shallow gases distributed in the southeastern part of the Ulleung Basin, offshore Korea. Sediments from the core were also analyzed to determine the characteristics and relationship to shallow gases. Hydrocarbon gases in the sediments consisted of methane (697.9-6054.4 ppm), ethane, propane, butane and hexane. The total carbon content of the sediments ranges from 1.84fe to $5.11{\%}$ and the total organic carbon content ranges from $0.29{\%} \;to\; 2.65{\%}$. High C/N ratio (>10) indicates that input of terrestrial organic matter was prevalent at the time of deposition. The methane content and stable isotopic data indicate that hydrocarbon gases from the sediments are identified to be thermogenic gas and mixture of both biogenic and thermal gases. Based on the Rock-Eval and carbon isotopic data, the level of thermal maturity of organic matter in the sediments $(Tmax<425^{\circ}C)$ is lower than that of gas. It suggests that thermal gases in the sediments migrated from the deeper sediments than the penetrated depth.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.218-228
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• 2023

Invasive predators are one of the most damaging species groups to biodiversity. In the Nakdong River, the lake skygazer Chanodichthys erythropterus is a dominant species that is fiercely carnivorous and a concern for commercial fish. Although it is important to understand the ecological characteristics related to the feeding habit, studies on the diets of lake skygazer in Nakdong River have been limited to studies of gut contents. In this study, the trophic position (TP) and feeding habits of C. erythropterus were studied by calculating TPs using samples collected from 13 sites throughout the Nakdong River. Compound-specific isotopic analysis of amino acids provided reliable TPs from the muscle of Lake skygazer C. erythropterus without any isotope baseline. The results were approximately 3 to 3.6 and suggesting a carnivorous but size-dependent prey variation. In particular, the TP variability of C. erythropterus observed in the Nakdong River showed that it had a selective feeding habit compared to carnivorous fish species of relatively similar trophic levels.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 1999

$^{15}N$-Isotope concentrations of groundwater from l4 wells with different land-use types in Kyonggi Province were measured to investigate the nitrate contamination sources. Water samples were collected monthly from January to December 1997 and analyzed for pH. PC, anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, inorganic phosphate, and bicarbonate), and canons (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium). For the analysis of the $^{15}N/^{14}N$ ratio as ${\delta}^{15}N$, $N_2$ samples were prepared through Kjeldahl-Rittenberg method and were analyzed using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (VG Optima IRMS). Reproducibility of the method and precision of the IRMS were below 1.0‰ and 0.1‰, respectively. The ionic composition of each groundwater sample was only slightly different according to the land-use type. The nitrate concentrations of groundwater in cropland or livestock farming areas were higher than those in the residential area. The percentages of nitrate to total anions of groundwater samples from the livestock farming area were higher than those of other areas. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of ammonium sulfate, urea, groundwater sample in the non-contaminated area, and water from the animal manure septic tank were -2.7, 1.4, 5.5, and 27.2‰, respectively. Based on the ${\delta}^{15}N$ values, the sources of nitrate could be classified as originated from chemical fertilizers with ${\delta}^{15}N$ values below 5% and as from animal manure or municipal waste with ${\delta}^{15}N$ values over 10‰. In most cases, contamination sources investigated from ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of groundwater samples were correlated with the specific sources according to the land-use types. However, some ${\delta}^{15}N$ values did not matched the apparent land-use types, and there were seasonal variations of ${\delta}^{15}N$ values within the same well. These results suggest that the groundwater quality was affected by two or more contamination sources and the contribution of each source to the groundwater quality varied depending on the sampling season.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.87-98
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• 2022

This study aims to prepare a technical protocol for identifying the source of nitrate in water using nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and oxygen (δ¹⁸O) stable isotope ratios. The technical processes for nitrate sources identification are composed of site investigation, sample collection and analysis, isotope analysis, source identification using isotope characteristics, and source apportionment for multiple potential sources with the Bayesian isotope mixing model. Characteristics of various nitrate potential sources are reviewed, and their typical ranges of δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O are comparatively analyzed and summarized. This study also summarizes the current knowledge on the dual-isotope approach and how to correlate the field-relevant information such as land use and hydrochemical data to the nitrate source identification.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.258-268
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• 1994

Nitrogenous new production and regenerated production were measured in the southern part of the Yellow Sea (Hwanghae) using a stable isotope /SUP 15/N nitrate and ammonia between April 25∼30, 1993. Nitrogen production varied between 155 and 688 mg N m/SUP -2/ d/SUP -1/, which belongs to meso to eutrophic area values. This is equivalent to 881∼3909 mg C m/SUP -2/ d/SUP -1/, assuming the Redfield ratio for C:N of 5.7:1 (by weight). the f0ratio which is the fraction of new production from primary production, varied between 0.12 and 0.26, indicating that 74 to 88% of primary production was supported by the regeneration of nutrients within the euphoric zone. This low f0ratio is the characteristics of the oligo- to mesotrophic area. Contrary to the expected, the ambient nutrient concentration was not an important factor for controlling productivity in this area during the study period. The difference in productivity among stations was mainly due to the variations in phytoplankton biomass in different water masses.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.441-455
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• 2003

The most common water types are found to be Ca-$HCO_3$, Ca-Na-$HCO_3$ and Ca-Na-$HCO_3$-Cl in Gwangju groundwater. Groundwater near the Gwangju stream are characterized Ca-Cl water type, with over 50 mg/L of C1- and 400 ${\mu}$S/cm of EC. The systematic variation of $Cl^-$, $HCO_3^-$,- EC and ${\gamma}^{18}O$ values in groundwater with distance away from drainages is caused by streamwater infiltration. Stable isotope data indicate that ${\gamma}$D and ${\gamma}^{18}O$ values of groundwaters near drainages were enriched by evaporation effect, showing a equation of ${\gamma}$D=7. 1${\times}{\gamma}^{18}O$-1. ${\gamma}^{18}O$ values over -6${\textperthansand}$ are anomalous in the unconfined groundwater zones, which are influenced by the local surface water enriched in $^{18}O$ composition. Groundwater in highland shows remarkably light ${\gamma}^{18}O$ values below -8$\textperthousand$. The infiltration of streamwater is dominant in unconfined alluvium aquifer near drainages. ${\gamma}^{13}$CDIC values (-17.6∼-15.2$\textperthousand$) of groundwaters near drainages revealed that dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is predominantly originated from natural soil-derived $CO_2$. ${\gamma}^{15}N$ and ${\gamma}^{18}O$ values of nitrate are 0∼17.0${\textperthansand}$ and 6.6∼17.4${\textperthansand}$, respectively. Relationship between ${\gamma}^{15}N$ and ${\gamma}^{18}O$ shows a systematic isotopic fractionation caused by denitrification of 40∼60%, suggesting that the major source of groundwater nitrate originated from nitrate of soils, and mixing nitrate of soil and sewage or manure.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.206-213
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• 2013

Glass eels (Anguilla japonica) are caught in the west coast of Korea on their migratory route from the breeding grounds in the Mariana Trench along the North Equatorial Current and the Kuroshio Current. To identify the food source of natural glass eels, we analyzed the stable C and N isotopes of glass eels caught in April 2012 and investigated possible food sources in the survey area. In particular, with respect to the stable C and N isotopes of particulate organic matter, we extended the surveying area to the northern parts of East China Sea as well as the west coast of Korea. The stable C and N isotope ratios of the glass eels caught in the west coast were found to be $-20.7{\pm}0.1$‰ and $5.0{\pm}0.2$‰, respectively. The stable C and N isotope ratios of the particulate organic matter in the west coast of Korea, in which the glass eels are assumed to eat the particulate organic matter as food source, were estimated to be $-24.0{\pm}0.3$‰ and $2.8{\pm}0.4$‰, respectively. Similar data were obtained from the northern part of the East China Sea, $-24.5{\pm}0.5$‰ and $0.8{\pm}0.3$‰. The stable isotope ratios showed values differing from the stepwise increasing rates up the food web in natural aquatic ecosystem, showing that particulate organic matter in the west coast of Korea and East China Sea was not served as the glass eels food source. This result suggested that the glass eels caught in the west coast might not assimilate nutrition from the marine environment during long migration.