Variation in sources of inorganic nitrogen under different hydrological conditions in a floodplain lake: a case study of Bang Lake (Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province, China)

Bang Lake, a shallow floodplain lake in Jiangxi Province, China, is a complex environment with water levels and sources of pollutants that vary considerably on an annual scale. We collected rain and water samples from the lake and around connecting rivers through lentic, flowing, flooding, and lowering level periods. We distinguished sources of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN as ammonium NH4+ and nitrate NO3−) in the lake from δ15N. Stable isotopes of hydrogen (δD), oxygen (δ18O), and δ15N (δ15NH4+, δ15NO3−) in water samples were used to describe lake–river water exchanges and DIN sources at different water levels in the floodplain lake. The sources of DIN varied through the different hydrological stages in the lake. In the lentic periods, δ18O and δD values were more positive and δ15N (δ15NH4+, δ15NO3−) values were more negative in lake water than in river water and rainwater, indicating lake–river separation. During the flowing period, δ18O, δD, and δ15N values in river and lake water were similar, and DIN mainly derived from agriculture and livestock wastewater. During the flooding period, δ15N values in the lake and rivers differed even though they were connected at the highest water levels. When the water levels were declining, considerable variation was measured for δ15NH4+ or δ15NO3− signatures between the lake and river water as the lake and river water gradually separated. The significant increase of δ15NH4+ and decrease of δ15NO3− indicated strong ammonification and nitrification in the lake.