N transformations in nitrate-rich groundwaters: combined isotope and microbial approach

Deb, Sushmita; Espenberg, Mikk; Well, Reinhard; Bucha, Michał; Jakubiak, Marta; Mander, Ülo; Jędrysek, Mariusz-Orion; Lewicka-Szczebak, Dominika

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5535-2025

Articles | Volume 22, issue 19

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5535-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5535-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 22, issue 19

Research article

|

14 Oct 2025

Research article |

| 14 Oct 2025

N transformations in nitrate-rich groundwaters: combined isotope and microbial approach

Sushmita Deb, Mikk Espenberg, Reinhard Well, Michał Bucha, Marta Jakubiak, Ülo Mander, Mariusz-Orion Jędrysek, and Dominika Lewicka-Szczebak

Supplement

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5535-2025-supplement

Data sets

Dataset: Enhanced isotopic approach combined with microbiological analyses for more precise distinction of various N transformation processes in contaminated aquifer – a groundwater incubation study D. Lewicka-Szczebak and S. Deb https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15076761

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Short summary

This study investigates nitrogen cycling in groundwater from an agricultural area using organic fertilizer. The research combines isotope and microbial studies to track transformations. High-nitrate samples were incubated with a low addition of ¹⁵N tracer. Results showed a shift from archaeal nitrification to bacterial denitrification under low oxygen with glucose, confirmed by isotope and microbial analyses. The findings offer insights for improving water quality and pollution management.