Boron Contents and Isotopic Compositions of Hog Manure, Selected Fertilizers, and Water in Minnesota

Abstract

Boron‐isotope (δ11B) values may be useful as surrogate tracers of contaminants and indicators of water mixing in agricultural settings. This paper characterizes the B contents and isotopic compositions of hog manure and selected fertilizers, and presents δ11B data for ground and surface water from two agricultural areas. Boron concentrations in dry hog manure averaged 61 mg/kg and in commercial fertilizers ranged from below detection limits in some brands of ammonium nitrate and urea to 382 mg/kg in magnesium sulfate. Values of δ11B of untreated hog manure ranged from 7.2 to 11.2‰ and of N fertilizers were −2.0 to 0.7‰. In 22 groundwater samples from a sand‐plain aquifer in east‐central Minnesota, B concentrations averaged 0.04 mg/L and δ11B values ranged from 2.3 to 41.5‰. Groundwater beneath a hog feedlot and a cultivated field where hog manure was applied had B‐isotope compositions consistent with the water containing hog‐manure leachate. In a 775‐km2 watershed with silty‐loam soils in southcentral Minnesota: 18 samples of subsurface drainage from corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) fields had average B concentrations of 0.06 mg/L and δ11B values of 5.3 to 15.1‰; 27 stream samples had average B concentrations of 0.05 mg/L and δ11B values of 1.0 to 19.0‰; and eight groundwater samples had average B concentrations of 0.09 mg/L and δ11B values of −0.3 to 23.0‰. Values of δ11B and B concentrations, when plotted against one another, define a curved mixing trend that suggests subsurface drainage and stream water contain mixtures of B from shallow and deep groundwater.

Isotopes for improved management of nitrate pollution in aqueous resources: review of surface water field studies

“…This range is overlapping with the one of the mineral fertilizers (ranging from +8‰ to +17‰; Chetelat and Gaillardet 2005;Komor 1997;Widory et al 2004). Different types of animal manure show δ 11 B values from +6.9‰ up to 42.1‰ (Komor 1997;Widory et al 2004Widory et al , 2005. Finally, stable and radioactive isotope signatures of water (deuterium, tritium, oxygen) can give insights into the timescales and transport behaviour of nitrate pollution in groundwater and surface water (e.g.…”

“…The δ 11 B values of sewage range from −7.7‰ to +12.9‰ (Bassett 1995;Eisenhut et al 1996;Gellenbeck 1994;Leenhouts et al 1998;Vengosh et al 1994Vengosh et al , 1999Widory et al 2004Widory et al , 2005. This range is overlapping with the one of the mineral fertilizers (ranging from +8‰ to +17‰; Chetelat and Gaillardet 2005;Komor 1997;Widory et al 2004). Different types of animal manure show δ 11 B values from +6.9‰ up to 42.1‰ (Komor 1997;Widory et al 2004Widory et al , 2005.…”

“…Vitòria et al 2008;Widory et al 2004). Combined use of boron isotopes with nitrate-N and -O isotopes can be a useful tool for nitrate source apportionment (Komor 1997;Leenhouts et al 1998;Seiler 2005;Widory et al 2004Widory et al , 2005. Nitrate and boron co-migrate in many environmental settings (Leenhouts et al 1998).…”

Multi-isotope approach for the identification and characterisation of nitrate pollution sources in the Marano lagoon (Italy) and parts of its catchment area

“…hog manure, cattle feedlot runoff and synthetic fertilizers) in surface and groundwaters (BASSETT et al, 1995;KOMOR, 1997;WIDORY et al, 2004). In a recent study (WIDORY et al, 2004), б11B was used to distinguish between two types of sewage that were indistinguishable using б 15 N alone: a high-B/low-NO 3 /low-б 11 B type that is derived from washing powders, and a moderate-B/moderate-NO 3 type with б 11 B values close to animal (probably human) manure.…”

Hydrology and water quality in the Green River and surrounding agricultural areas near Green River in Emery and Grand Counties, Utah, 2004-05

“…Natural water has a wide range of δ 11 B values, ranging from -16 to +59 permil (Vengosh and others, 1994). Examples of values for several end member waters include: -0.9 to +10.2 permil for non-marine sodium borate minerals, +2 to +12.9 permil for treated sewage effluent, +30 permil for uncontaminated ground water, -2.0 to +0.7 permil for nitrogen fertilizers, +7.2 to +11.2 permil for manure-based fertilizers, and +39 permil for seawater (Vengosh and others, 1994; Komor, 1997;Barth, 1998). Because of the application of fertilizers on irrigated lands, as well as other processes, it is likely that water Sr value indicates some hydraulic connectivity with the river.…”