• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.262-271
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• 2008

Natural abundances of stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon (${\delta}^{15}N$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$) are being widely used to study N and C cycle processes in plant and soil systems. Variations in ${\delta}^{15}N$ of the soil and the plant reflect the potentially variable isotope signature of the external N sources and the isotope fractionation during the N cycle process. $N_2$ fixation and N fertilizer supply the nitrogen, whose ${\delta}^{15}N$ is close to 0%o, whereas the compost as. an organic input generally provides the nitrogen enriched in $^{15}N$ compared to the atmospheric $N_2$. The isotope fractionation during the N cycle process decreases the ${\delta}^{15}N$ of the substrate and increases the ${\delta}^{15}N$ of the product. N transformations such as N mineralization, nitrification, denitrification, assimilation, and the $NH_3$ volatilization have a specific isotope fractionation factor (${\alpha}$) for each N process. Variation in the ${\delta}^{13}C$ of plants reflects the photosynthetic type of plant, which affects the isotope fractionation during photosynthesis. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ of C3 plant is significantly lower than, whereas the ${\delta}^{13}C$ of C4 plant is similar to that of the atmospheric $CO_2$. Variation in the isotope fractionation of carbon and nitrogen can be observed under different environmental conditions. The effect of environmental factors on the stomatal conductance and the carboxylation rate affects the carbon isotope fractionation during photosynthesis. Changes in the environmental factors such as temperature and salt concentration affect the nitrogen isotope fractionation during the N cycle processes; however, the mechanism of variation in the nitrogen isotope fractionation has not been studied as much as that in the carbon isotope fractionation. Isotope fractionation factors of carbon and nitrogen could be the integrated factors for interpreting the effects of the environmental factors on plants and soils.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.96-104
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• 2018

Stable isotope approach for aquatic ecology and environmental sciences has been introduced as very useful technique since 1980s and also has been applied to investigate various issues in aquatic ecology and environmental study last 10 years in Korea. Especially carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios have been mainly used to understand food web energy flow and ecosystem structure. In addition, nitrogen isotope ratio has been applied for nitrogen cycle and source identification as well as biomagnification studies. However, large temporal or spatial variations of nitrogen isotope ratio of primary producer have been found in many aquatic environments, and it is regarded as the critical problems to determine trophic level of aquatic animals. Recently, the compound specific isotope analysis of nitrogen within individual amino acids has been developed as an alternative method for trophic ecology. This article introduces the progress history of stable isotope application in aquatic ecology and environmental sciences, and also suggests new direction based on future prospects in stable isotope ecology and environmental study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.198-203
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• 2003

The effects of salmon carcasses on forest and stream ecosystems were determined by nitrogen stable isotope analysis in natural streams in Hokkaido, Northern Japan, where numerous chum salmon (Oncoryhncus keta) were migrated upstream ITom ocean to spawn in autumn. The leaves and soils surrounding riparian forest and stream dwelling invertebrates were collected before and after migration. The nitrogen stable isotope ratio $({\delta}^{15}N)$ of riparian vegetation (Salix spp.) were different depending on the presence of salmon and distance from the stream. The $({\delta}^{15}N)$ of stream dwelling invertebrates were different between salmon present and absent stream. This difference was tested using the experiment channel by implanting salmon carcasses. The nitrogen stable isotope ratio of epilithic algae and leaf shredding animals were nearly 3 higher in the salmon implanted treatment suggesting that around 20％ of salmon derived nitrogen was uptake either in algae and leaf shredding invertebrates. These results suggest that the salmon carcasses effects not only on stream primary production but also on primary consumers, which decompose leaves fertilized with nitrogen from carcasses.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2007

To understand the origin and biogeochemistry of the organic matter in surface sediments of Lake Shihwa and Lake Hwaong, organic nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, labile organic carbon, and residual organic carbon contents as well as stable isotope ratios for carbon and nitrogen were determined by KOBr-KOH treatment. Ratios of organic carbon to organic nitrogen $(C_{org}/N_{org})$ (mean = 24) were much higher than ratios of organic carbon to total nitrogen $(C_{org}/N_{tot})$ (mean= 12), indicating the presence of significant amounts of inorganic nitrogen in the surface sediments of both lakes. Stable isotope ratios for organic nitrogen were, on average, $5.2\%_{\circ}$ heavier than ratios of inorganic nitrogen in Lake Shihwa, but those same ratios were comparable in Lake Hwaong. This might be due to differences in the origin or the degree of degradation of sedimentary organic matter between the two lakes. In addition, stable isotope ratios for labile organic carbon were, on average, $1.4\%_{\circ}$ heavier than those for residual organic carbon, reflecting the preferential oxidation of $^{13}C$-enriched organic matter. The present study demonstrates that KOBr-KOH treatment of sedimentary organic matter can provide valuable information for understanding the origin and degradation state of organic matter in marine and brackish sediments. This also suggests that the ratio of $(C_{org}/N_{org})$ and stable isotope ratios for organic nitrogen can be used as indexes of the degree of degradation of organic matter.

• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2018

In this study, inter-laboratory comparison was done using elemental analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometers (EA-IRMSs) to determine carbon and nitrogen contents as well as stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions (${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$) of five environmental samples containing lake and marine sediments, higher plant leaves, and fish muscle, and one organic analytical standard (Protein (Casein) Standard OAS). Five national laboratories participated in this comparison study, and each laboratory analyzed all five samples and the analytical standard. Results showed that variations in total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents as well as ${\delta}^{13}C_{TOC}$ and ${\delta}^{15}N_{TN}$ values among the laboratories were large compared to the analytical uncertainties. The results highlighted the inhomogeneity of the test samples and thus, the need to select suitable standard reference materials for future inter-laboratory studies. Further inter-laboratory comparison exercises could promote good measurement practices in the acquisition of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition data.

• 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.

• ALGAE
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.349-357
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• 2017

Korean mariculture Undaria pinnatifida was collected during the months of January, February, March, and December of 2010, as well as from January of 2011 to investigate the changes in the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$) and heavy metal with respect to it growth and to identify the factors that influence such changes. The blades of U. pinnatifida showed ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ in the range (mean) of -13.11 to -19.42‰ (-16.93‰) and 2.99 to 7.57‰ (4.71‰), respectively. Among samples with the same grow-out period, those that weighed more tended to have higher ${\delta}^{13}C$ suggesting a close association between the carbon isotope ratio and growth rate of U. pinnatifida. Indeed, we found a very high positive linear correlation between the monthly average ${\delta}^{13}C$ and the absolute growth rate in weight ($r^2=0.89$). Nitrogen isotope ratio tended to be relatively lower when nitrogen content in the blade was higher, probably due to the strengthening of isotope fractionation stemming from plenty of nitrogen in the surrounding environment. In fact, a negative linear correlation was observed with the nitrate concentration in the nearby seawaters ($r^2=0.83$). Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg, and Fe in the blades showed a rapid decrease in their concentration per unit weight in the more mature U. pinnatifida. Specifically, compared to adult samples, Cu, Hg, and Pb were concentrated by 30, 55, and 73 folds, respectively, in the young blades. Therefore, U. pinnatifida tissue ${\delta}^{13}C$ is as an indirect indicator of its growth rate, while ${\delta}^{15}N$ values and heavy metal concentrations serve as tracers that reflect the environmental characteristics.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.195-200
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• 2017

Background: The natural ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) stable isotopes can be varied in some specific living organisms owing to various isotopic fractionation processes in nature. Therefore, the analysis of C, N, and S stable isotope ratios in ginseng can provide a feasible method for determining ginseng authenticity depending on the cultivation land and type of fertilizer. Methods: C, N, and S stable isotope composition in 6-yr-old ginseng roots (Jagyeongjong variety) was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Results: The type of cultivation land and organic fertilizers affected the C, N, and S stable isotope ratio in ginseng (p < 0.05). The ${\delta}^{15}N_{AIR}$ and ${\delta}^{34}S_{VCDT}$ values in ginseng roots more significantly discriminated the cultivation land and type of organic fertilizers in ginseng cultivation than the ${\delta}^{13}C_{VPDB}$ value. The combination of ${\delta}^{13}C_{VPDB}$, ${\delta}^{15}N_{AIR}$, or ${\delta}^{34}S_{VCDT}$ in ginseng, except the combination ${\delta}^{13}C_{VPDB}-^{34}S_{VCDT}$, showed a better discrimination depending on soil type or fertilizer type. Conclusion: This case study provides preliminary results about the variation of C, N, and S isotope composition in ginseng according to the cultivation soil type and organic fertilizer type. Hence, our findings are potentially applicable to evaluate ginseng authenticity depending on cultivation conditions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.506-509
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• 2000

To obtain Cytochrome $c_3$ labeled with a stable isotope, the conditions of cultivation and the composition of medium for DvMF were examined. The growth of DvMF was steady and reproducible under purging with $N_2$ and under pH control. DvMF was able to go on a defined medium without natural products. The composition of the medium containing a small amount of $NH_4Cl$ as sole nitrogen source was established. Then, uniformly $^{15}N-labeled$ Cytochrome $c_3$ was obtained during the culture of DvMF in a defined medium with $^{15}NH_4Cl$; it was confirmed by $^{1}H-^{15}N$ HMQC.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2013

Organic carbon and total nitrogen stable isotope ratios of suspended materials were determined at 3 stations (from Mongtan Bridge to Youngsan river estuary barrage) (n=6, each) from November 2008 to August 2009, in order to understand the origin of particulate organic matter at the Estuary of Youngsan River. Allochthonous organic matter, ammonia-N and silicate were increased after heavy rain (in August). Carbon isotope ratios were significantly different between stations in November and August, and it was possible to determine the origin of organic matter. The heavier nitrogen isotope ratios, as well as higher phosphate concentrations, were found in November than other sampling times. Livestock wastewater and farmland input was likely the main causes of these high values. In addition, YS3 station, the nearest site to estuary barrage, appears to be affected by a substantial amount of livestock wastewater and farmland input, considering that nitrogen isotope ratios were heavier than those at the upper sites. These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the determination of organic matter origin in aquatic environments.