Isotope analysis of ammonium and nitrate: A review on measured methods and their application

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.201707.036

Abstract

Abstract: In the past several decades, a variety of methods have been developed for measuring the isotopic composition of ammonium (δ¹⁵N) and nitrate (δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O). This review summarized the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Nowadays, the most popular method for measu-ring δ¹⁵N of ammonium is the combined hypobromite (BrO^-) and hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) me-thod, while for δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O of nitrate is the denitrifier method and the sodium azide (NaN₃) me-thod. These methods convert NH₄⁺ or NO₃^- into nitrous oxide (N₂O) and measure its isotopic compositions, with higher analytical precision because of the lower background concentration of atmospheric N₂O. Accordingly, these methods are suitable for the samples with lower N concentration, and normally require 10-60 nmol N. The development of new methods for measuring N isotopic composition has greatly stimulated the studies in nitrogen cycling worldwide.

LIU Dong-wei, TU Ying, FANG Yun-ting. Isotope analysis of ammonium and nitrate: A review on measured methods and their application[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2017, 28(7): 2353-2360.

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