Assessing the condition of the Nation’s waters: How can stable isotopes help?

Stable isotope ratios integrate, indicate, record, and trace fundamental processes in hydrology and ecology.  Stored within the atoms of samples, stable isotope ratios of specific elements unlock stories about ecological processes that impact water quality and quantity.  We utilize that power to help EPA assess the condition of the nation’s waters through the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS).  Each summer, the NARS program assesses over 1000 sites, but only spends one day at a site.  By measuring isotopic ratios in NARS samples, we gain key insights into hydrologic water balances, and sources and processes affecting nitrogen cycling.  In this seminar, I will share some of those insights. We have found that measuring isotopic ratios is a low-cost and efficient means to measure critical processes across the nation that would be difficult and costly to measure otherwise.

Impact/Purpose

Stable isotope ratios integrate, indicate, record, and trace fundamental processes in hydrology and ecology.  Stored within the atoms of samples, stable isotope ratios of specific elements unlock stories about ecological processes that impact water quality and quantity.  We utilize that power to help EPA assess the condition of the nation’s waters through the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS).  Each summer, the NARS program assesses over 1000 sites, but only spends one day at a site.  By measuring isotopic ratios in NARS samples, we gain key insights into hydrologic water balances, and sources and processes affecting nitrogen cycling.  In this seminar, I will share some of those insights. We have found that measuring isotopic ratios is a low-cost and efficient means to measure critical processes across the nation that would be difficult and costly to measure otherwise.

Citation

Brooks, Jacqueline, J. Compton, P. Kaufmann, Carol Fergus, M. Weber, W. Rugh, L. Trine, A. Herlihy, C. Nowakowski, AND A. Nahlik. Assessing the condition of the Nation’s waters: How can stable isotopes help? Spring Water Resources Science series, Oregon State University, Portland State University and the US Geological Survey Oregon Water Science Center, Corvallis, OR, April 17, 2024.