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Determination of the isotopic composition of ammonium-nitrogen at the natural abundance level from estuarine waters
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Determination of the isotopic composition of ammonium-nitrogen at the natural abundance level from estuarine waters

David J Velinsky, J.R Pennock, J.H Sharp, L.A Cifuentes and Marilyn L Fogel
Marine chemistry, v 26(4), pp 351-361
01 Jul 1989
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4203(89)90040-6
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

A method was developed to measure the stable nitrogen isotope ratio of dissolved ammonium (NH 4 +) at the natural abundance level from estuarine waters. This method employed rapid steam distillation with collection of ammonium on zeolite via ion-exchange. The steam distillation step had a recovery of 103±5%; subsequent exchange of the ammonium on zeolite had a yield of 96.4±1.6%. The zeolite with exchanged ammonium was converted to N 2 in quartz tubes at 910°C with CuO and Cu and the isotopic composition of the gas was measured in an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. When analyzing 200 μg of N the accuracy using isotopic standards was within 4% of the true ratio, with an overall precision of ±0.5%. A benefit of this method is that samples can be distilled and preserved onboard ship, thereby minimizing storage artifacts. This method was used in a seasonal study of the isotopic composition of dissolved ammonium from the Delaware Estuary.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#13 Climate Action
#14 Life Below Water

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Oceanography
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