The influence of cascade hydropower construction on the migration and transformation of raw material and ecological problems in the Lancang River Basin is of concern to scholars domestically and internationally. Based on stable isotope technology, this study analyzed the spatial distribution of nitrogen in the Lancang River Basin and explained the cause of this distribution. The results showed that the range of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was 0.28-0.60mg·L-1, and that of DIN in the downstream area of the Lancang River was 0.39-1.15mg·L-1. The range of suspended particulate matter δ15 N in the upstream area of this river was 4.52‰-6.72‰, and that in the downstream reservoir section was heavier than that in the upstream reservoir, which varied between 2.3‰ and 11.8‰. This study used Isosource to analyze the source of suspended particulate matter. The results showed that industrial wastewater and sewage, soil organic matter, atmospheric sedimentation, and agrochemicals are the main sources of suspended particulate matter, and their respective total contribution rates are 42.43%, 22.38%, 18.16%, and 17.03%. At the same time, the δ15 N of suspended particulate matter in Xiaowan, Manwan, and Dachaosan dams downstream of the Lancang River were influenced by algal assimilation, it leads to a reduction in the number of δ15 N of suspended particles.
Keywords: Lancang River; influence factor; isotope tracer; source contribution; suspended particulate matter.