• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.2403-2409
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• 2014

Absolute isotope ratio is a critical constituent in determination of atomic weight. To measure the absolute isotope ratio using a mass spectrometer, mass discrimination factor, $f_{MD}$, is needed to convert measured isotope ratio to real isotope ratio of gas molecules. If the $f_{MD}$ could be predicted, absolute isotope ratio of a chemical species would be measureable in absence of its enriched isotope pure materials or isotope references. This work employed gravimetrically prepared isotope mixtures of argon (Ar) to obtain $f_{MD}$ at m/z of 40 in the magnetic sector type gas mass spectrometer (gas/MS). Besides, we compare the nitrogen isotope ratio of nitrogen trifluoride ($NF_3$) with that of nitrogen molecule ($N_2$) decomposed from the same $NF_3$ thermally in order to identify the difference of $f_{MD}$ values in extensive m/z region from 28 to 71. Our result shows that $f_{MD}$ at m/z 40 was $-0.044%{\pm}0.017%$ (k = 1) from measurement of Ar artificial isotope mixtures. The $f_{MD}$ difference in the range of m/z from 28 to 71 is observed $-0.12%{\pm}0.14%$ from $NF_3$ and $N_2$. From combination of this work and reported $f_{MD}$ values by another team, IRMM, if $f_{MD}$ of $-0.16%{\pm}0.14%$ is applied to isotope ratio measurement from $N_2$ to $SF_6$, we can determine absolute isotope ratio within relative uncertainty of 0.2 %.

• 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.

• 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.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.120-128
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• 2001

Pollution sources and their environmental contributions were investigated to select the best management practices for the effective control of water quality. The nitrogen isotope mass ratio was determined to estimate the nitrate sources and their contribution. Sampling sites were chosen by calculating effluent loads at each watershed. Two liters each of the surface water samples were collected from four sites at Bokha river and two sites and Gwanri river. They were sequentially prepared through distillation method and analyzed using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer(IsoPrime EA). As revealed by the experimental values obtained the mass ratio values ($\delta$$^{5}$ N) of watersheds with a large amount of nonpoint sources were less than +5 an indication that the samples were influenced by chemical fertilizers. However watersheds with large amount of point sources were influenced not only by chemical fertilizers but also by animal and municipal wastes. The mass ratio values of samples generally decreased during rainy days. But during dry days the mass ratio values well-reflected the nitrate sources and the condition of watersheds. Through this study the nitrogen isotope mass ratio has been found to be useful for estimating nitrate sources and their contribution to the rural watersheds.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.186-190
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• 1999

Isotope ratio ($^{15}N/^{14}N$) and nitrate-nitrogen concentration in groundwater were measured to investigate the effect of chemical fertilizer and livestock manure on temporal variations in nitrate-nitrogen concentration and to estimate the contribution of fertilizer and manure to groundwater contamination by nitrate. Four study wells from a rural area in Kyonggi province were selected. One well was located on an upper site from a livestock feedlot, and the others were situated at lower sites from the feedlot. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were analyzed by a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Micromass, VG Optima IRMS). Reproducibility of the method and precision of the mass spectrometer were below 1.0 and 0.1‰, respectively Even though study wells were located at the same area, nitrate-nitrogen concentrations and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values differed and fluctuated during the sampling period. The ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of well located at upper site from the feedlot were extremely variable (-1.48~20.80‰). The ranges of ${\delta}^{15}N$ value of three wells situated at lower sites from the feedlot were 11.83~20.73 (ave. 16.11), 8.90~11.73 (ave.11.01), and 5.29~12.73‰ (ave. 8.21‰) with increasing distance from the feedlot. The average values of contribution proportion of nitrogen derived from livestock manure to nitrate-nitrogen in groundwater were 79% for the well closet to the feedlot, 44% for the well most distant from the feedlot, and 56% for the well in between the two wells.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2015

The organic matter sources of phytoplankton and related environmental factors influencing algal bloom in Paldang reservoir were studied using nitrogen and carbon isotope ratio(${\delta}^{15}N$, ${\delta}^{13}C$). Phytoplankton samples for stable isotope analysis were collected from four points in reservoir using a plankton net. Physicochemical water quality, algal taxa and hydrological data were collected from published monitoring material. Phytoplankton samples were analyzed by IRMS. CN ratio of each sample was very similar to that of phytoplankton from literature cited. ${\delta}^{15}N$ of each sample was decreased during July. Mixing and dilution of nitrogen sources due to increment of influx by concentrated rainfall were considered as the main reason for the decline of ${\delta}^{15}N$. Based on analyzed ${\delta}^{15}N$ value of each sample, nitrogen source of Bughan river sample was presumed to come from soil. The nitrogen sources of Namhan river and Kyeongan stream samples seemed to be sewage or animal waste. Low ${\delta}^{15}N$ value in August (2012) seemed to be influenced by isotope fractionation due to the blooming of nitrogen-fixation blue-green algae (Anabaena spp.). Variation in ${\delta}^{15}N$ values particularly by blue-green algal bloom was considered the important factor for estimating the organic matter sources of phytoplankton.

• 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 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.