d15N dynamics of ammonium and particulate nitrogen during the growth season of a eutrophic estuary

We monitored the stable nitrogen isotopic composition (d15N) of suspended matter and ammonium in the freshwater stretch of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium) over a full year to investigate for seasonal evolution and possible co-variation between isotopic signatures. The d15N value of ammonium remained rather constant during winter (average = +11.4 pro mille) but increased significantly with the spring and summer bloom, reaching values as high as +70 pro mille. This enrichment of the ammonium pool in 15N coincided with significant ammonium depletion during summer period, suggesting a close causal relationship. Based on a semiclosed system approach we deduced an apparent fractionation factor associated with NH4+ utilization (i.e. combining effects of uptake and nitrification) of 18.4 pro mille (SE = 2.0 pro mille), which is similar to values reported in literature. Observed variations of ammonium d15N could account for about 69% of d15N variation in suspended matter.