Leaching sources and mechanisms of different nitrogen species from bioretention systems
Wei Ding1, Huapeng Qin2, Fan Wang3
1Key Laboratory of Ecology and Resource Use of the Mongolian Plateau, Ministry of Education of China, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, PR China; Eco-environment and Resource Efficiency Research Laboratory, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Abstract:
At present, nitrogen (N) leaching from bioretention systems (BRSs) has become a key issue, imposing constraints on their application, a consequence of N dynamics of both inflow and legacy N at different time scales. In this study, the distinct sources (IL: immediate leaching, FL: fast leaching, SL: slow leaching) and the principal transformation processes of different N species (i.e., NH4+, NO3- and DON) leaching originating from inflow and legacy of BRSs were firstly unveiled by various 15N species labeling (i.e., 15N-NH4+, 15N-NO3- and 15N-DON). Results indicate that: NH4+ leaching was primarily caused by FL from influent organic N and SL from influent NH4+, with mineralization being the main transformation process influencing NH4+ leaching; NO3- leaching primarily originated from SL, with the major proportion attributed to the influent organic N in SL, autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrification were the main influencing factors; DON leaching primarily originated from SL, with similar proportions coming from influent organic N, NH4+, and NO3-, inorganic N assimilation was the principal transformation process affecting DON leaching. This study provides an effective framework for apportioning the leaching sources of different N species, providing valuable insights for the implementation of both inflow and legacy N leaching control measures.
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