Isotopic evidence of nitrogen sources and nitrogen transformation in arsenic-contaminated groundwater

High concentrations of naturally occurring arsenic (As) are typically found in young alluvial and deltaic deposits, and high concentrations of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) are often present in groundwater affected by anthropogenic activities. In this study, on the basis of physicochemical characteristics of groundwater and the nitrogen and oxygen isotope composition of NO₃⁻, it was inferred that the main sources of NO₃⁻ in the proximal fan of the Choushui River alluvial fan are likely to be ammonium fertilizers, manure, and septic waste; that in the mid-fan and the distal fan, the possible sources are nitrate fertilizers and marine nitrate. In the proximal fan, the oxidative state obviously promotes microbial nitrification. Denitrification occurs from the upstream region to the downstream region of the Choushui River, and therefore, the decrease in NO₃⁻ concentration along streams connecting the Choushui River to the ocean appears plausible. High DO concentrations and relatively low values of δ¹⁸O_NO3 in the deeper aquifer of the proximal fan may be attributed to unconfined granular nature and groundwater pumping by agricultural activities. In the mid-fan, NO₃⁻ assimilation is the dominant response to NO₃⁻ attenuation, and denitrification is insignificant; however, high concentrations of As, NH4⁺ and Fe and depletion of δ¹⁵N_NO3 imply the occurrence of feammox process. By contrast, denitrification evidently occurs in the distal fan, through assimilation, mineralization, and dissimilatory NO₃⁻ reduction to NH₄⁺, resulting in depletion of NO₃⁻ and increase in NH₄⁺ in groundwater. Feammox in the mid-fan and denitrification in the distal fan may be the main processes leading to the release of As from As-bearing Fe oxyhydroxides into groundwater. - Highlights: • As, NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ are harsh contaminants in the groundwater of southwestern Taiwan. • Nitrogen sources and transformation in N-budget were identified by NO₃⁻ isotopes. • Denitrification occurs progressively in the upstream to downstream direction. • Feammox and denitrification lead to the reduction of As-bearing Fe oxyhydroxides. • The transformation in N-budget system and SCM of the study area were demonstrated.