The response of nitrogen isotopic composition of organic matter to changes in nitrate utilization, N-limitation and lake productivity was studied in Baldeggersee, a small eutrophic lake in central Switzerland. Nitrogen isotope ratios were measured on organic matter accumulation in sediment traps, collected daily from March 1995 through October 1996, and on individually sampled light and dark annual laminae from a 108-yr sediment core sequence (1885–1993). Nitrogen accumulation in the sediment traps averaged 0.04 g N m