Sensitive measurement of NH4+ 15N/14N (delta 15NH4+) at natural abundance levels in fresh and saltwaters.

We report a new method for determining the 15N/14N of NH4+ at natural abundance level in both freshwater and seawater. NH4+ is first quantitatively oxidized to NO2- by hypobromite (BrO-) at pH approximately 12. After the addition of sodium arsenite to consume excess BrO-, yield is verified by colorimetric NO2- determination. NO2- is further reduced to N2O using a 1:1 sodium azide and acetic acid buffer solution using previously established procedures. The product N2O is then analyzed for isotopic composition using a continuous flow purge and cryogenic trap system coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Reliable delta 15N values (standard deviation is 0.3 per thousand or better) are obtained over an NH4+ concentration range of 0.5-10 microM using 20 mL volumes of either freshwater or seawater samples. Higher concentration samples are readily diluted to lower concentration. Preexisting NO2- is removed by treatment with sulfanilic acid. There is no interference from any of the nitrogen-containing compounds tested except short-chain aliphatic amino acids (i.e., glycine) which typically are present at very low environmental concentrations. As compared to published methods, our approach is more robust, readily applicable at low concentrations and small sample volumes, and requires less time for preparation and analysis.