Advances in Earth Science ›› 2019, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (2): 124-139. doi: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2019.02.0124
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Rui Qin( ),Guitao Shi *( ),Zhenlou Chen
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Rui Qin,Guitao Shi,Zhenlou Chen. Review of the Study on the Stable Isotopes of Nitrogen and Oxygen in Atmospheric Nitrate[J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2019, 34(2): 124-139.
Due to the emissions from intensive human activities and rapid development of industry and agriculture, atmospheric nitrate (NO 3- ) contamination is becoming more serious and now is a worldwide environmental problem. The isotopic compositions of NO 3- (δ15N, δ18O and Δ17O) can deliver more information than the concentration alone, i.e., the nitrogen and oxygen isotopes can suggest the sources of NO 3- and oxidation capability of the atmosphere, providing a powerful tool for investigating atmospheric nitrogen cycling and atmospheric NO 3- pollution control. The δ15N of different sourced NO 3- in the atmosphere, as well as the seasonal variation of δ15N (NO 3- ) and the associated mechanisms were reviewed. In addition, the oxygen isotopes of various oxidants and NO 3- (δ18O and Δ17O) in the atmosphere were summarized, and the global distribution patterns of the oxygen isotopes of NO 3- were discussed. Lastly, the available analysis techniques of isotopic compositions of NO 3- were reviewed. Based on the research progress of NO 3- isotopes in the atmosphere, it was suggested that further investigations should focus on measuring the isotopic compositions of oxidants and NOx from different sources, characterizing the production mechanisms of NO 3- , as well as investigating chemical recycling between NOx and NO 3- with the aid of atmospheric chemical models.