Articles | Volume 22, issue 17
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4333-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4333-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
01 Sep 2025
Research article |
| 01 Sep 2025
| 01 Sep 2025
Triple oxygen isotope evidence for the pathway of nitrous oxide production in a forested soil with increased emission on rainy days
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
School of Resources & Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Urumu Tsunogai
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Tianzheng Huang
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Takashi Sambuichi
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Wenhua Ruan
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Masanori Ito
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Hao Xu
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Yongwon Kim
International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7320, USA
Fumiko Nakagawa
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
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Past studies have used the Δ17O of stream nitrate to estimate the gross nitrification rates (GNRs) in each forested catchment by approximating the Δ17O value of soil nitrate to be equal to that of stream nitrate. Based on inference and calculation of measured data, we found that this approximation resulted in an overestimated GNR. Therefore, it is essential to clarify and verify the Δ17O NO3− values in forested soils and streams before applying the Δ17O values of stream NO3− to GNR estimation.
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By monitoring the concentration and Δ17O of stream nitrate in three forested streams, the new nitrogen saturation index of forested catchments (Matm/Datm ratio) was estimated. We found that (1) the unprocessed atmospheric nitrate in our studied forested stream (FK1 catchment) was the highest ever reported in forested streams; (2) the Matm/Datm ratio can be used as a robust index for evaluating nitrogen saturation in forested catchments as the Matm/Datm ratio is independent of the precipitation.
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Past studies used the Δ17O of stream nitrate to estimate GNR in each forested catchment. However, the GNR estimated from the Δ17O of stream nitrate using the equations was more than six times the actual GNR in our simulated calculation for a forested catchment. As a result, it must be essential to clarify/verify the distribution of the Δ17O values of NO3− in forested soils before applying the Δ17O values of stream NO3− to estimate GNR.
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Excessive leaching of nitrate from forested catchments during storm events degrades water quality and causes eutrophication in downstream areas. Thus, tracing the source of nitrate increase during storm events in forested streams is important for sustainable forest management. Based on the isotopic compositions of stream nitrate, including Δ17O, this study clarifies that the source of stream nitrate increase during storm events was soil nitrate in the riparian zone.
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Past studies have used the Δ17O of stream nitrate to estimate the gross nitrification rates (GNRs) in each forested catchment by approximating the Δ17O value of soil nitrate to be equal to that of stream nitrate. Based on inference and calculation of measured data, we found that this approximation resulted in an overestimated GNR. Therefore, it is essential to clarify and verify the Δ17O NO3− values in forested soils and streams before applying the Δ17O values of stream NO3− to GNR estimation.
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Short summary
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By monitoring the concentration and Δ17O of stream nitrate in three forested streams, the new nitrogen saturation index of forested catchments (Matm/Datm ratio) was estimated. We found that (1) the unprocessed atmospheric nitrate in our studied forested stream (FK1 catchment) was the highest ever reported in forested streams; (2) the Matm/Datm ratio can be used as a robust index for evaluating nitrogen saturation in forested catchments as the Matm/Datm ratio is independent of the precipitation.
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Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2022-236, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2022-236, 2023
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Past studies used the Δ17O of stream nitrate to estimate GNR in each forested catchment. However, the GNR estimated from the Δ17O of stream nitrate using the equations was more than six times the actual GNR in our simulated calculation for a forested catchment. As a result, it must be essential to clarify/verify the distribution of the Δ17O values of NO3− in forested soils before applying the Δ17O values of stream NO3− to estimate GNR.
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Short summary
Short summary
Excessive leaching of nitrate from forested catchments during storm events degrades water quality and causes eutrophication in downstream areas. Thus, tracing the source of nitrate increase during storm events in forested streams is important for sustainable forest management. Based on the isotopic compositions of stream nitrate, including Δ17O, this study clarifies that the source of stream nitrate increase during storm events was soil nitrate in the riparian zone.
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Revised manuscript not accepted
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Using triple oxygen isotopic composition (Δ17O) of ozone as a new tracer, we estimated the absolute concentrations of stratospheric ozone supplied through stratosphere-troposphere transport in the troposphere. We observed the diurnal variations in the Δ17O of ozone, which could have affected studies (field measurements, atmospheric modeling) using Δ17O to constrain atmospheric chemical paths. Our study provides an important basis for a better understanding of ozone behavior in the troposphere.
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Short summary
Identifying the pathways of N2O produced through nitrification and denitrification in soil is crucial for effective mitigation. Thus, we monitored a new natural isotopic signature (Δ17O) of N2O in forested soil, which is almost stable during various biogeochemical processes, to identify the pathways. Our results suggest Δ17O is a promising signature for identifying pathways of N2O production, revealing that increased denitrification drives the high emission of N2O in soil on rainy days.
Identifying the pathways of N2O produced through nitrification and denitrification in soil is...
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