Although extensive studies have been performed on nitrogen isotopes in lake sediments, understanding the complexity of the δ15N variation related to past environmental and climatic conditions still remains unclear. Supported by multi-proxy records including litho-units, organic carbon isotopes, ration of total organic carbon and total nitrogen, organic matter content, bulk dry density, the accumulation rate of organic matter, median grain size, magnetic susceptibility, and Rb/Sr and Ca/Mg ratios obtained from a sedimentary sequence in a small lake （i.e., Dahu Swamp） in the eastern Nanling Mountains in South China, we deduce that variation in the δ15N values results primarily from the sources of organic matter, which are significantly influenced by climatic conditions over the past -16 000 years. A low （or high） lake level resulting from dry （or wet） conditions would lead to more （or fewer） vascular plant remains in the sediments and stronger （or weaker） denitrification associated with hypolimnetic anoxia, resulting in lower （or higher） 615N values. In addition, dry （or wet） conditions would favor weakened （or strengthened） biogeochemical activity in the catchment, which could result in less （or more） external input of δ15N-enriched OM, thus leading to decreased （or increased） δ15N values. Our results indicate that the lake sediment δ15N record in the Nanling Mountains has the potential to provide valuable insight into past East Asian monsoon climate- driven environmental changes.
