Exploring the influence of thruways on natural ecosystems through an analysis of nitrogen deposition at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Pollution from urbanization and industrial activity are increasingly disrupting ecosystem nutrient cycles. Artificial fertilization of nitrogen (N) is transforming nutrient balances), with negative implications for ecosystem and human health in ecosystems adapted to low nutrient soils. Stable isotope analysis is one method of identifying anthropogenic influence on nutrient cycles as the isotopic signature left behind by nutrients gives an indication of possible disruptions to natural cycling and the related sources. We aimed to investigate whether or not the New York State (NYS) Thruway, constructed in the 1950s, is affecting the nearby Albany Pine Bush Preserve. We analysed plant (oak and pine) and soil samples collected in July 2019 in order to determine whether automobile-sourced N is altering the stable isotopes, and therefore the N cycle, at the preserve. We tested two alternatives-whether stable N isotopes values and N content change with distance. The δ15N in pine needles decreased with increasing distance from the thruway-a trend indicative of automobile N deposition. This was not seen in the oak samples, though an analysis of C:N ratios indicated that oak leaf C:N ratios decreased with distance from the thruway - also in the direction expected if automobiles were depositing N. The %N in deep soil samples also decreased with increasing distance from the thruway. This analysis of nitrogen and carbon suggests that there is increased N deposition at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and that it can be attributed to the proximity of the New York State Thruway. It is not known what the consequences of the altered N cycle in this globally-rare ecosystem may be, but we plan to follow up with further sampling to better understand the scale of the Thruway's effect on the Pine Bush ecosystem.