Ghent University

Ghent University (UGENT), Research on process understanding of N-cycle, N-excess (N-deposition, NO3 leaching, N2O emission) and fertilizer N use efficiency, with substantial international experience with use of state of the art isotope based tools.  The current focus is especially towards Africa including N deposition and N process work (incl. N2O) in tropical mountain forests, nitrate source apportionment (Lake Victoria and Nyungwe forest) and biological N2 fixation for sustainable agricultural intensification for smallholder farmers. The focus of the UGENT contribution to INMS will be the use of nitrate and boron isotopes to apportion source of nitrate in Kenyan rivers draining to Lake Victoria. This would contribute to constraining the N budget of lake Victoria. UGENT has experience in the analyses of isotopes in nitrate and the use of Bayesian isotopic mixing models to quantify nitrate sources. Currently UGENT is working with on rivers in Kenya already via an IAEA funded project and training program.