title: Medically-Derived (131)I as a Tool for Investigating the Fate of Wastewater Nitrogen in Aquatic Environments.
abstract: Medically derived (131)I (t1/2 = 8.04 d) is discharged from water pollution control plants (WPCPs) in sewage effluent. Iodine's nutrient-like behavior and the source-specificity of (131)I make this radionuclide a potentially valuable tracer in wastewater nitrogen studies. Iodine-131 was measured in Potomac River water and sediments in the vicinity of the Blue Plains WPCP, Washington, DC, USA. Dissolved (131)I showed a strong, positive correlation with δ(15)N values of nitrate (δ(15)NO3(-)) in the river, the latter being a traditional indicator of nutrient inputs and recycling. Surface water δ(15)NO3(-) values ranged from 8.7 to 33.4‰; NO3(-) + NO2(-) concentrations were 0.39-2.79 mg N L(-1) (26-186 μM). Sediment profiles of particulate (131)I and δ(15)N indicate rapid mixing or sedimentation and in many cases remineralization of a heavy nitrogen source consistent with wastewater nitrogen. Values of δ(15)N in sediments ranged from 4.7 to 9.3‰. This work introduces (131)I as a tool to investigate the short-term fate of wastewater nitrogen in the Potomac River and demonstrates the general utility of (131)I in aquatic research.
authors.affiliation: Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States.|SAIC, Marine Biogeochemistry, Code 6114, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, D.C. 20375, United States.
authors.forename: Paula S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Marine Biogeochemistry, Code 6114, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, D.C. 20375, United States.
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Aller
authors.affiliation: Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States.
authors.forename: J Kirk
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Cochran
authors.affiliation: Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States.
authors.forename: R Lawrence
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.affiliation: Marine Biogeochemistry, Code 6114, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, D.C. 20375, United States.
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Coffin
mesh_terms: D005843:Geography; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D014768:Virginia; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009584:Nitrogen; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical