Atmospheric nitrogen deposition and its long-term dynamics in a southeast China coastal area

► Dissolved total nitrogen in rain waters was 2.71 ± 1.58 mg L−1 in the southeast China coastal area. ► Dry and wet deposition contributed 16% and 84% respectively to the total flux (30 kg ha−1 yr−1). ► Nitrate in rain waters with low isotopic value seems originated from combustion NOx from vehicle exhausts. ► There is an increasing trend of N emission with potential implication for N-induced acidification.