Tracing Sources of Nitrate in Rivers of Southern Alberta Using Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Boron Isotopes as Co-Tracers

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atmire.migration.oldid5426
dc.contributor.advisorMayer, Bernhard
dc.contributor.authorKruk, Mary Krystin
dc.contributor.committeememberRyan, Cathryn
dc.contributor.committeememberWieser, Michael
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-13T20:22:22Z
dc.date.available2017-04-13T20:22:22Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.date.submitted2017en
dc.description.abstractThe natural and anthropogenic sources of nitrate (NO3) in the Bow River, Oldman River, and select tributaries of the Oldman River (OMR) in southern Alberta were determined by analyzing a combination of δ15NNO3, δ18ONO3 and δ11B values in surface water samples and in anthropogenic nutrient end-members. The δ15NNO3, δ18ONO3 and δ11B values of surface water revealed Bonnybrook WWTP effluent has the greatest influx of nutrient load to the Bow River and downstream of Calgary agricultural return flow water is an additional source of nutrients. Decreasing NO3 loads and NO3/B ratios downstream of Calgary indicated that there are also N-removal processes occurring in this reach. The δ15NNO3 and δ11B values of the surface water in the OMR indicated a significant nutrient input by the Lethbridge WWTP effluent and tributaries displayed δ11B values heavily indicative of cow manure. Hence, boron isotopes are a useful co-tracer of nutrients in surface water.en_US
dc.identifier.citationKruk, M. K. (2017). Tracing Sources of Nitrate in Rivers of Southern Alberta Using Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Boron Isotopes as Co-Tracers (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28495en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/28495
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11023/3699
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectGeochemistry
dc.subject.otherStable Isotopes
dc.titleTracing Sources of Nitrate in Rivers of Southern Alberta Using Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Boron Isotopes as Co-Tracers
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineGeology and Geophysics
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
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