Assessing sources of nitrate contamination in the Shiraz urban aquifer (Iran) using the δ(15)N and δ(18)O dual-isotope approach.

Nitrate ([Formula: see text]) is one of the major threats to the quality of the drinking water taken from the Shiraz aquifer. This aquifer undergoes high anthropogenic pressures from multiple local urban (including uncontrolled sewage systems), agricultural and industrial activities, resulting in [Formula: see text] concentrations as high as 149 mg L(-1), well above the 50 mg L(-1) guideline defined by the World Health Organisation. We coupled here classical chemical and dual isotope (δ(15)N and δ(18)O of [Formula: see text]) approaches trying to characterize sources and potential processes controlling the budget of this pollutant. Chemical data indicate that nitrate in this aquifer is explained by distinct end-members: while mineral fertilizers isotopically show to have no impact, our isotope approach identifies natural soil nitrification and organic [Formula: see text] (manure and/or septic waste) as the two main contributors. Isotope data suggest that natural denitrification may occur within the aquifer, but this conclusion is not supported by the study of other chemical parameters.