Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2018

Presentation information

[JJ] Oral

H (Human Geosciences) » H-TT Technology & Techniques

[H-TT18] Development and applications of environmental traceability methods

Tue. May 22, 2018 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM 103 (1F International Conference Hall, Makuhari Messe)

convener:Ichiro Tayasu(Research Institute for Humanity and Nature), Takanori Nakano(Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Inter-University Research Institute Corporation National Institutes for the Humanities), Keisuke Koba(京都大学生態学研究センター), Chairperson:Nakano Takanori(Research Institute for Humanity and Nature)

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

[HTT18-03] Dynamics of dissolved ions inferred from sulfur isotope ratio of sulfate, nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of nitrate in Chikusa river watershed, Hyogo

*Lei Fujiyoshi1, Kenichi Ohkushi2, Yudai Yamamoto3, Ichiro Tayasu1, Tadashi Yokoyama4, Hiromune Mitsuhashi5, Fumiko Furukawa2, Masayuki Itoh2 (1.The Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, 2.Kobe University, 3.Nagoya University, 4.Hyogo prefectural Ako School for Students with Special Needs , 5.University of Hyogo)

Keywords:sulfate, nitrate, sulfur stable isotope ratio, nitrogen and oxygen stable isotope ratios, Chikusa river, Hyogo

The Chikusa river watershed is located in the southwestern part of Hyogo prefecture. Recent river improvement in the watershed has posed concerns about changes in water quality and river ecosystem. This study aims to clarify dynamics of dissolved ions using sulfur isotope ratio of sulfate, nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of nitrate, and to contribute the evaluation of water environment in the watershed.

Water samples were collected by local residents at total 94 points from headwaters to river mouth in August 6th, 2017. The samples for ion concentrations were filtrated (Advantec 25CS020AN) and measured by ion chromatography (ICS-3000, Dionex) at Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN). Nitrogen and oxygen stable isotope ratios of nitrate (δ15N, δ18O) were determined by the ‘denitrifier’ method (Sigman et al., 2001) and measured by GC-IRMS (GasBench/DELTAplusXP, Thermo Fisher Scientific) at RIHN. Water samples for sulfate isotope analysis were filtrated (Advantec C020A047A) and acidified with 6M HCl, and the SO42- in acidified samples was collected as BaSO4 compounds by adding 10% BaCl2 solutions. BaSO4 solids were obtained after filtration (Whatman Nucleopore 110609), and measured for sulfur isotope (δ34S) by an elemental analyzer coupled to the mass spectrometer (DELTA V and Flash2000, Thermo Fisher Scientific) at RIHN.

Sulfate concentration ranged from 1.7 mgl-1 to 40 mgl-1 and the trend of increase in concentration from upstream to downstream was observed. Also, the nearest point to the river mouth showed topical high concentration (1156 mgl-1). On the other hand, nitrate concentration ranged from 0.06 mgl-1 to 13 mgl-1 and the trend of decrease in concentration from upstream to downstream was observed. δ34S of sulfate at the nearest point to the river mouth was +22‰, which suggests that the origin of sulfate is seawater. Furthermore, change in sulfate concentration and δ34S along mainstream suggests the mixing of sulfate originated from headwater and sulfate originated from bedrock (accretionary wedge) in Shifumi-tributary. δ15N and δ18O of nitrate suggest that nitrate in three tributaries (Oobiyama, Egawa, Yano) originated from nitrification of manure and septic waste. Furthermore, changes in nitrate concentration, δ15N, and δ18O along mainstream suggest that nitrification of manure and septic waste is the major source of nitrate in downstream.