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Nitrate Source Apportionment and Nitrogen Export Characteristics of Spring Water in a Dolomite Karst World Heritage Site: A Tracing Study Based on Nitrogen and Oxygen Isotopes

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  • Jinglin Mo

    (School of Geography and Environmental Science, School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
    State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Xiaoxi Lyu

    (School of Geography and Environmental Science, School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
    State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang 550025, China
    Pingtang Karst Peak-Cluster Depression Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guizhou Province, Pingtang 558300, China
    Anshun Agricultural Environment Field Observation and Research Station, MARA, Anshun 561301, China)

  • Shulin Jiao

    (School of Geography and Environmental Science, School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
    State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Chenyi Zhu

    (School of Geography and Environmental Science, School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
    State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Dongnan Wang

    (School of Geography and Environmental Science, School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China
    State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang 550025, China)

Abstract

This study investigated spring water in the core area and buffer zone of the Shibing Dolomite Karst World Heritage Site using one-year monthly monitoring, hydrochemistry, nitrate dual isotopes, and the MixSIAR model. The buffer zone spring exhibits shallow fissure-conduit flow with rapid hydrological response, anthropogenic nitrate dominance (>62%), nitrification as the main process, and limited denitrification. Its nitrate concentration shows seasonal peaks. In contrast, the core area spring is recharged by deep fissure water, with natural nitrate sources (>80%), stable nitrate levels (5–7.4 mg/L), and potential local denitrification. Nitrogen export in the buffer zone increases 4.5 times in the rainy season (NO 3 − accounting for 93% of TN). The core area shows higher TN export flux per unit area (3.34 vs. 0.4 g/m 2 /a) and greater DON proportion. Nitrogen export far exceeds that from rocky desertified areas, suggesting that dissolved nitrogen leaching drives karst rocky desertification evolution.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinglin Mo & Xiaoxi Lyu & Shulin Jiao & Chenyi Zhu & Dongnan Wang, 2026. "Nitrate Source Apportionment and Nitrogen Export Characteristics of Spring Water in a Dolomite Karst World Heritage Site: A Tracing Study Based on Nitrogen and Oxygen Isotopes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:10:p:4939-:d:1942825
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