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Variation in nitrogen isotopic composition in the Selenga river watershed, Mongolia
- Source :
- Limnology. 13:155-161
- Publication Year :
- 2011
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2011.
-
Abstract
- The stable nitrogen (N) isotope ratio (δ15N) has been used to examine the anthropogenic N input (i.e., septic water, wastewater, and manure) to aquatic ecosystems, because anthropogenic N generally has a δ15N signature distinct from that found in nature. Aquatic organisms and the derived organic matter such as sediments are reported to become increasingly enriched in 15N as the human population density increases in watersheds. However, little is known about the relationship in steppe ecosystems, where the livestock population is greater than that of humans. Here, we conducted a preliminary study in the Selenga river mainstream watershed in Mongolia, which covers an area of approximately 300,000 km2. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the δ15N of the riverine sediment was significantly affected by the human population density and more significantly by livestock population density. The population density, including both humans and livestock, significantly influenced δ15N of the macrophytic Potamogeton spp. The results showed that δ15N of riverine organic matter can be an indicator of the human and livestock population density, which is likely associated with the status of N cycles in livestock-dominated watersheds.
- Subjects :
- chemistry.chemical_classification
Hydrology
education.field_of_study
Watershed
Ecology
biology
Aquatic ecosystem
Population
Aquatic Science
biology.organism_classification
Population density
Manure
chemistry
Environmental science
Organic matter
Ecosystem
Potamogeton
education
Water Science and Technology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1439863X and 14398621
- Volume :
- 13
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Limnology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........4aa02487fcf83cbef69dd5f5f8a9ec8b