A streamlined approach for sediment source fingerprinting in a Southern Piedmont watershed, USA

Purpose Sediment fingerprinting is a relatively recent research technique, capable of determining the origin of suspended sediment. In this study, we investigated sub-basins within a larger watershed we examined previously. The objectives were to determine if there was spatial variation in the origin of the suspended sediments and to test a streamlined fingerprinting approach which would reduce the cost, thereby paving the way for adoption by government agencies. Materials and methods Samples were collected from three tributaries, the outlet of the main stem, and at the middle of the main stem. Two methods to collect suspended sediment samples were compared: a mobile continuous-flow centrifuge and automated samplers. A relatively small initial tracer suite consisting of stable isotopes of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) ( 15 N and 13 C), total N (TN), and total C (TC) was tested. Tracer concentrations were obtained through a single mass spectrometry analysis requiring