Isotopes for improved management of nitrate pollution in aqueous resources: review of surface water field studies.

Background: Environmental agencies have to take measures to either reduce discharges and emissions of nitrate or to remediate nitrate-polluted water bodies where the nitrate concentrations exceed threshold values. Isotope data can support the identification of nitrate pollution sources and natural attenuation processes of nitrate.

Review: This review article gives an overview of the information available to date regarding nitrate source apportionment in surface waters with the ambition to help improving future studies.