Evaluation of the origin and fate of nitrate in the Abbotsford Aquifer using the isotopes of15N and18O in NO3−

Extensive NO3− contamination of groundwater in the Abbotsford aquifer to levels above drinking water limits is a major problem in the Fraser Lowlands of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Nitrate concentrations in the aquifer ranged from 0 to 151 mg/l NO3−, with a median concentration of 46 mg/l NO3−. Of 117 wells sampled, 54% had NO3− concentrations exceeding the drinking water limit of 45 mg/1. Approximately 80% of the study area had groundwater NO3− concentrations exceeding 40 mg/1 NO3−. Potential NO3− source materials were poultry manure N and synthetic NH4 based fertilizers. Theδ15N of solid poultry manure samples ranged between + 7.9 and + 8.6‰ (AIR). Four brands of synthetic fertilizers commonly used hadδ15N values between −1.5 and −0.6‰. Ammonia volatilization caused theδ15N of groundwater NO3− produced from poultry manure N to range between +8 and +16‰. Theδ18O values of groundwater NO3−, by contrast, mostly ranged between +2 and +5‰ (SMOW). This narrow range ofδ18O values fell within the expected range of NO3− produced by nitrification of reduced N forms such as poultry manure N and NH4 fertilizers, and had a similar range ofδ18O values as NO3− in the upper part of the unsaturated zone below raspberry fields and beneath former manure piles. Theδ15N-NO3− andδ18O-NO3− data confirmed that NO3− in the aquifer was predominantly derived from poultry manure and to a lesser extent from synthetic fertilizers. Theδ18O-NO3− data further suggested the nitrification process occurred mainly in the summer months, with the soil NO3− produced subsequently flushed into the aquifer during fall recharge. Theδ15N-NO3−andδ18O-NO3− data conclusively indicated that no significant bacterial denitrification is taking place in the Abbotsford aquifer.