Journal article
ELEVATED δ15N IN STREAM BIOTA IN AREAS WITH SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS IN AN URBAN WATERSHED
Ecological applications, v 14(3), pp 637-641
Jun 2004
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen from human sewage are a central concern in urban watershed management. However, identifying the locations of these inputs, whether from improperly functioning or ill‐maintained septic tanks or from leaking sewer lines, is difficult. We used nitrogen stable‐isotope analysis of aquatic food webs as indicators of sewage‐derived nitrogen in Valley Creek watershed. Stable nitrogen isotope analysis revealed elevated δ15N in all trophic levels at stations located downstream of the divide between sewered and nonsewered (septic tanks) neighborhoods in the watershed. Stations not located in the septic system area or on the other branch of the creek did not show this elevated level of δ15N. Allochthonus inputs, which do not derive nitrogen from aquatic sources, such as detrital leaf material, showed no difference in δ15N between Valley Creek and Little Valley Creek. Particular fish species that are found throughout both branches, such as blacknose dace and creek chub, had as much as a 10‰ enrichment in δ15N in septic vs. sewered areas. These results indicate that stable‐isotope analysis can be a useful tool for determining the location of inputs of human sewage and may have broad applications in watershed planning and management, especially in urban systems.
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Details
- Title
- ELEVATED δ15N IN STREAM BIOTA IN AREAS WITH SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS IN AN URBAN WATERSHED
- Creators
- Luanne Y. Steffy - Drexel UniversitySusan S. Kilham - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Ecological applications, v 14(3), pp 637-641
- Publisher
- Ecological Society of America
- Number of pages
- 5
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000222174000001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-8144222269
- Other Identifier
- 991019167522204721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Ecology
- Environmental Sciences