Effects of stormwater management and stream restoration on watershed nitrogen retention

Restoring urban infrastructure and managing the nitrogen cycle represent emerging challenges for urban water quality. We investigated whether stormwater control measures (SCMs), a form of green infrastructure, integrated into restored and degraded urban stream networks can influence watershed nitrogen loads. We hypothesized that hydrologically connected floodplains and SCMs are “hot spots” for nitrogen removal through denitrification because they have ample organic carbon, low dissolved oxygen levels, and extended hydrologic residence times. We tested this hypothesis by comparing nitrogen retention metrics in two urban stream networks (one restored and one urban degraded) that each contain SCMs, and a forested reference watershed at the Baltimore Long-Term Ecological Research site. We used an urban watershed continuum approach which included sampling over both space and time with a combination of: (1) longitudinal reach-scale mass balances of nitrogen and carbon conducted over 2 years during baseflow and storms (n = 24 sampling dates × 15 stream reaches = 360) and (2) ¹⁵N push–pull tracer experiments to measure in situ denitrification in SCMs and floodplain features (n = 72). The SCMs consisted of inline wetlands installed below a storm drain outfall at one urban site (restored Spring Branch) and a wetland/wet pond configured in an oxbow design to receive water during high flow events at another highly urbanized site (Gwynns Run). The SCMs significantly decreased total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) concentrations at both sites and significantly increased dissolved organic carbon concentrations at one site. At Spring Branch, TDN retention estimated by mass balance (g/day) was ~150 times higher within the stream network than the SCMs. There were no significant differences between mean in situ denitrification rates between SCMs and hydrologically connected floodplains. Longitudinal N budgets along the stream network showed that hydrologically connected floodplains were important sites for watershed nitrogen retention due to groundwater–surface water interactions. Overall, our results indicate that hydrologic variability can influence nitrogen source/sink dynamics along engineered stream networks. Our analysis also suggests that some major predictors for watershed N retention were: (1) streamwater and groundwater flux through stream restoration or stormwater management controls, (2) hydrologic residence times, and (3) surface area of hydrologically connected features.     

Bacterial community dynamics in the hyporheic zone of an intermittent stream

The dynamics of in situ bacterial communities in the hyporheic zone of an intermittent stream were described in high spatiotemporal detail. We assessed community dynamics in stream sediments and interstitial pore water over a two-year period using terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Here, we show that sediments remained saturated despite months of drought and limited hydrologic connectivity. The intermittency of stream surface water affected interstitial pore water communities more than hyporheic sediment communities. Seasonal changes in bacterial community composition was significantly associated with water intermittency, phosphate concentrations, temperature, nitrate and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. During periods of low- to no-surface water, communities changed from being rich in operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in isolated surface pools, to a few OTUs overall, including an overall decline in both common and rare taxa. Individual OTUs were compared between porewater and sediments. A total of 19% of identified OTUs existed in both porewater and sediment samples, suggesting that bacteria use hyporheic sediments as a type of refuge from dessication, transported through hydrologically connected pore spaces. Stream intermittency impacted bacterial diversity on rapid timescales (that is, within days), below-ground and in the hyporheic zone. Owing to the coupling of intermittent streams to the surrounding watershed, we stress the importance of understanding connectivity at the pore scale, consequences for below-ground and above-ground biodiversity and nutrient processing, and across both short- and long-time periods (that is, days to months to years).     

Soil frost enhances stream dissolved organic carbon concentrations during episodic spring snow melt from boreal mires

Changes in winter time conditions at high‐latitude ecosystems could severely affect the carbon exchange processes. Using a 15 year stream record combined with winter field measurements and laboratory experiment, we studied the regulation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in stream water draining boreal mire during snow melt. The most unanticipated finding was that cold soils with deep soil frost resulted in increased snow melt DOC concentrations in the stream runoff. Wintertime field measurements of DOC concentrations below the mire soil frost showed that this phenomenon could be explained by freeze‐out of DOC giving higher levels of DOC in the soil water below the ice as the soil frost developed downwards in the mire. Experimental freezing of water with a certain DOC concentration in the laboratory further corroborated the freeze‐out of DOC. In this experiment, as much as 96% of the DOC was excluded from the ice, whereas the freeze‐out in the mire was less effective (60%). The difference between the proportion of DOC retained in pure water relative to the proportion retained in peat water during freezing is probably due to trapped DOC in the solid peat soil matrix. A simple mass‐balance model showed that to explain the higher stream DOC concentrations during a winter with deep soil frost, approximately 0.5% of the mire area needed to be hydrologically connected to the stream discharge. In the stream records, we also found that the DOC concentrations during snow melt episodic runoff were negatively related to increasing intensity of the snow melt episodes (dilution by low DOC snow melt water) and higher previous export of DOC.     

Particulate organic and dissolved inorganic carbon stable isotopic compositions in Taylor Valley lakes,Antarctica: the effect of legacy

In perennially ice-covered lakes of Taylor Valley, Antarctica, “legacy”, a carryover of past ecosystem events, has primarily been discussed in terms of nutrient and salinity concentrations and its effect on the current ecology of the lakes. In this study, we determine how residual pools of ancient carbon affect the modern carbon abundance and character in the water columns of Lakes Fryxell, Hoare, and Bonney. We measure the stable carbon isotopic compositions and concentrations of particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the water column of these lakes over four seasons (1999–2002). These data are presented and compared with all the previously published Taylor Valley lacustrine carbon stable isotopic data. Our results show that the carbon concentrations and isotopic compositions of the upper water columns of those lakes are controlled by modern processes, while the lower water columns are controlled to varying degrees by inherited carbon pools. The water column of the west lobe of Lake Bonney is dominated by exceptionally high concentrations of DIC (55,000–75,000 μmol l⁻¹) reflecting the long period of ice-cover on this lake. The east lobe of Lake Bonney has highly enriched δ¹³C_DIC values resulting from paleo-brine evaporation effects in its bottom waters, while its high DIC concentrations provide geochemical evidence that its middle depth waters are derived from West Lake Bonney during a hydrologically connected past. Although ancient carbon is present in both Lake Hoare and Lake Fryxell, the δ¹³C_DIC values in bottom waters suggest dominance by modern primary productivity-related processes. Anaerobic methanogenesis and methanotrophy are also taking place in the lower water column of Lake Fryxell with enough methane, oxidized anaerobically, to contribute to the DIC pool. We also show how stream proximity and high flood years are only a minor influence on the carbon isotopic values of both POC and DIC. The Taylor Valley lake system is remarkably stable in both inter-lake and intra-lake carbon dynamics. Handling editor: K. Martens     

The role of water exchange between a stream channel and its hyporheic zone in nitrogen cycling at the terrestrial-aquatic interface

The subsurface riparian zone was examined as an ecotone with two interfaces. Inland is a terrestrial boundary, where transport of water and dissolved solutes is toward the channel and controlled by watershed hydrology. Streamside is an aquatic boundary, where exchange of surface water and dissolved solutes is bi-directional and flux is strongly influenced by channel hydraulics. Streamside, bi-directional exchange of water was qualitatively defined using biologically conservative tracers in a third order stream. In several experiments, penetration of surface water extended 18 m inland. Travel time of water from the channel to bankside sediments was highly variable. Subsurface chemical gradients were indirectly related to the travel time. Sites with long travel times tended to be low in nitrate and DO (dissolved oxygen) but high in ammonium and DOC (dissolved organic carbon). Sites with short travel times tended to be high in nitrate and DO but low in ammonium and DOC. Ammonium concentration of interstitial water also was influenced by sorption-desorption processes that involved clay minerals in hyporheic sediments. Denitrification potential in subsurface sediments increased with distance from the channel, and was limited by nitrate at inland sites and by DO in the channel sediments. Conversely, nitrification potential decreased with distance from the channel, and was limited by DO at inland sites and by ammonium at channel locations. Advection of water and dissolved oxygen away from the channel resulted in an oxidized subsurface habitat equivalent to that previously defined as the hyporheic zone. The hyporheic zone is viewed as stream habitat because of its high proportion of surface water and the occurrence of channel organisms. Beyond the channel's hydrologic exchange zone, interstitial water is often chemically reduced. Interstitial water that has not previously entered the channel, groundwater, is viewed as a terrestrial component of the riparian ecotone. Thus, surface water habitats may extend under riparian vegetation, and terrestrial groundwater habitats may be found beneath the stream channel.     

Methanogenesis in Arizona,USA dryland streams

Methanogenesis was studied in five streams of central and southern Arizona by examining the distribution of methane in interstitial water and evasion of methane in three subsystems (hyporheic, parafluvial and bank sediments). In Sycamore Creek, the primary study site (studied during summer and early autumn), methane content of interstitial water exhibited a distinct spatial pattern. In hyporheic (sediments beneath the wetted channel) and parfluvial zones (active channel sediments lateral to the wetted channel), which were well oxygenated due to high hydrologic exchange with the surface stream and had little particulate organic matter (POM), interstitial methane concentration averaged only 0.03 mgCH₄-C/L. Bank sediments (interface between the active channel and riparian zone), in contrast, which were typically vegetated, had high POM, low hydrologic exchange and concomitantly low dissolved oxygen levels, had interstitial concentration averaging 1.5 mgCH4-C/L. Methane emission from Sycamore Creek, similar to methane concentration, averaged only 3.7 mgCH₄-C·m⁻²·d⁻¹ from hyporheic and parafluvial zones as opposed to 170 mgCH₄-C·m⁻²·d⁻¹ from anoxic bank sediments. Methane in four additional streams sampled (one sampling date during late winter) was low and exhibited little spatial variation most likely due to cooler stream temperatures. Interstitial methane in parafluvial and bank sediments of all four streams ranged from only 0.005 to 0.1 mgCH₄-C/L. Similarly methane evasion was also low from these streams varying from 0 to 5.7 mgCH₄-C·m⁻²·d⁻¹. The effects of organic matter and temperature on methanogenesis were further examined by experimentally manipulating POM and temperature in stoppered flasks filled with hyporheic sediments and stream water. Methane production significantly increased with all independent variables. Methane production is greatest in bank sediments that are relatively isolated hydrologically and lowest in hyporheic and parafluvial sediments that are interactive with the surface stream.     

Composition and variations in the occurrence of dissolved free simple organic compounds of an unproductive lake ecosystem in northern Sweden

Low molecular weight organic carbon compounds are potentially important carbon and energy substrates to heterotrophic production in the aquatic environment. We studied the occurrence of dissolved free amino acids (AA), monosaccharides (CHO), and carboxylic acids (CA) in the subarctic Lake Diktar-Erik. The lake is unproductive with slightly humic water, and receives water via one major inlet stream draining a birch forest environment. The concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the inlet stream was strongly correlated with the discharge. This relationship changed from season to season, indicating changes in the sources of the DOC entering the stream. AA and CHO each accounted for an average of less than 0.5% of the DOC. After high discharge events during the ice-free period, AA and CHO occurred in especially high concentrations. CA occurred in higher concentrations during the ice-free period, when it generally accounted for 20–30% of the DOC pool. The CA content relative to the total DOC pool was strongly inversely correlated with overall DOC concentration, and at low DOC levels the relative content of CA was high and vice versa. This followed a seasonal trend, with CA accounting for a smaller proportion of the DOC in winter and a larger part in spring/early summer. A conservative estimate suggested that the studied simple organic carbon compounds potentially could cover 30% of the bacterial gross production in the lake and therefore potentially also was an important source of CO₂ that occur in supersaturated concentrations in the lake.     

Biogeochemical processes in the groundwater discharge zone of urban streams

The influence of biogeochemical processes on nitrogen and organic matter transformation and transport was investigated for two urban streams receiving groundwater discharge during the dry summer baseflow period. A multiple lines of evidence approach involving catchment-, and stream reach-scale investigations were undertaken to describe the factors that influence pore water biogeochemical processes. At the catchment-scale gaining stream reaches were identified from water table mapping and groundwater discharge estimated to be between 0.1 and 0.8 m³ m^?2 d^?1 from baseflow analysis. Sediment temperature profiles also suggested that the high groundwater discharge limited stream water infiltration into the sediments. At the stream reach-scale, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations were higher in stream water than in groundwater. However, DOC and DON concentrations were greatest in sediment pore water. This suggests that biodegradation of sediment organic matter contributes dissolved organic matter (DOM) to the streams along with that delivered with groundwater flow. Pore water ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) was closely associated with areas of high pore water DOM concentrations and evidence of sulfate (SO₄ ^2?) reduction (low concentration and SO₄:Cl ratio). This indicates that anoxic DOM mineralization was occurring associated with SO₄ ^2? reduction. However the distribution of anoxic mineralization was limited to the center of the streambed, and was not constrained by the distribution of sediment organic matter which was higher along the banks. Lower sediment temperatures measured along the banks compared to the center suggests, at least qualitatively, that groundwater discharge is higher along the banks. Based on this evidence anoxic mineralization is influenced by groundwater residence time, and is only measurable along the center of the stream where groundwater flux rates are lower. This study therefore shows that the distribution of biogeochemical processes in stream sediments, such as anoxic mineralization, is strongly influenced by both the biogeochemical conditions and pore water residence time.     

Coarse Particulate Organic Matter Distribution in the Pools and Riffles of a Second-order Stream

Coarse particulate organic matter distribution was investigated in a 270-m interval of a 2nd-order forest stream, the Yanase River. The dominant tree type was Keyaki (Zelkova serrata). CPOM sampling was conducted, and the sampled CPOM was sorted into leaves and branches, and water depth and current velocity were measured along with stone width, stone height and distance between the stones in the riffles. The collected CPOM was categorized by their accumulation type: LSS, SLP, SLPi, SLPo and DD. LSS was leaf packs at the leading edge of the stones, SLP was the sinking leaf packs in the pools, SLPi was the sinking leaf packs at the inner side of the stream bend in the pools, while SLPo was the sinking leaf packs at the outer side of the stream bend, and finally, DD was the leaf packs in the debris dams. The accumulated CPOM amounts at each leaf pack type were correlated with the measured physical stream variables. From the results, CPOM accumulation in riffles is controlled by stones projecting above the water surface and by their arrangements. In pools, CPOM accumulation occurs at high stream flow where the pools provide low velocities and a thick boundary layer of relatively quiescent flow. At stream meandering points, CPOM accumulation occurs by production of a secondary flow. Finally, CPOM accumulation in debris dams is important where they occur frequently. LSS was the largest in CPOM amount, and the stones in the riffles were the most retentive structures. On the other hand, SLP and SLPo were the least CPOM amounts, and the pools in the mainstream and at the outer side of the stream bend were the least retentive stream morphologies.     

Dissolved organic carbon in streams from artificially drained and intensively farmed watersheds in Indiana, USA

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in streams draining hydrologically modified and intensively farmed watersheds has not been well examined, despite the importance of these watersheds to water quality issues and the potential of agricultural soils to sequester carbon. We investigated the dynamics of DOC for 14 months during 2006 and 2007 in 6 headwater streams in a heavily agricultural and tile-drained landscape in the midwestern US. We also monitored total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) in the streams and tile drains. The concentrations of DOC in the streams and tile drains ranged from approximately 1–6 mg L^?1, while concentrations of TDN, the composition of which averaged >94% nitrate, ranged from <1 to >10 mg L^?1. Tile drains transported both DOC and TDN to the streams, but tile inputs of dissolved N were diluted by stream water, whereas DOC concentrations were generally greater in the streams than in tile drains. Filamentous algae were dense during summer base flow periods, but did not appear to contribute to the bulk DOC pool in the streams, based on diel monitoring. Short-term laboratory assays indicated that DOC in the streams was of low bioavailability, although DOC from tile drains in summer had bioavailability of 27%. We suggest that these nutrient-rich agricultural streams are well-suited for examining how increased inputs of DOC, a potential result of carbon sequestration in agricultural soils, could influence ecosystem processes.     

Response of Aquatic Leaf Associated Microbial Communities to Elevated Leachate DOC: A Microcosm Study

In Central Europe climate change will increase summer droughts, which cause both, premature leaf fall and fragmentation of small streams during summer and early autumn. As a consequence dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leached from leaves will be dispersed into pools with long water residence time. A microcosm experiment was performed to test the effect of high concentrations of leachate DOC and the relative importance of labile and refractory leachate compounds on leaf associated microbial parameters. In microcosms leaf discs colonized in a stream were exposed to high concentrations of either leaf leachate, glucose or tannic acid. Leaf associated respiration, fungal sporulation, leaf mass loss and fungal biomass (ergosterol) were measured during a 3 weeks experimental period and compared to control without DOC amendment. The results imply that depending on source and composition elevated leachate DOC may have variable effects on microbial mediated litter decomposition. Our findings suggest reduced microbial decomposition rates in pools of fragmented streams receiving premature leaf fall. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A mixing model analysis of stream solute dynamics and the contribution of a hyporheic zone to ecosystem function*

1. We monitored streamwater and streambed sediment porewaters from White Clay Creek (WCC), SE Pennsylvania, for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved oxygen (DO) and conductivity to investigate organic matter processing within the hyporheic zone. Dissolved organic carbon and DO concentrations were higher in the streamwater than in the porewaters and, in many cases, concentrations continued to diminish with increasing depth into the streambed. 2. Hydrological exchange data demonstrated that the permeability of the stream bed declines with depth and constrains downwelling, effectively isolating porewaters >30 cm from streamwater. 3. End‐member mixing analysis (EMMA) based on conductivity documented a DOC source and DO sink in the hyporheic zone. We calculated hyporheic streambed DOC fluxes and respiration from the EMMA results and estimates of water flux. Based upon our calculations of biodegradable DOC entering the hyporheic zone, we estimate that DOC supports 39% of the hyporheic zone respiration, with the remaining 61% presumably being supported by entrained particulate organic carbon. Hyporheic respiration averaged 0.38 g C m^?2 d^?1, accounted for 41% of whole ecosystem respiration, and increased baseflow ecosystem efficiency from 46 to 59%. 4. Advective transport of labile organic molecules into the streambed concentrates microbial activity in near‐surface regions of the hyporheic zone. Steep gradients in biogeochemical activity could explain how a shallow and hydrologically constrained hyporheic zone can dramatically influence organic matter processing at the ecosystem scale.     

Temporal variation in river nutrient and dissolved lignin phenol concentrations and the impact of storm events on nutrient loading to Hood Canal, Washington, USA

Rapid rainfall events can be responsible for a large proportion of annual nutrient and carbon loading from a watershed. The bioavailability of organic matter during these rapid loading events increases, suggesting that storms play a relevant role in the mobilization of potentially labile terrestrial carbon. A high correlation between river discharge rates and dissolved and particulate nutrient and carbon concentrations during autumn and winter storms was observed in several temperate Pacific Northwest rivers. Dissolved and particulate lignin concentrations also increased with river discharge; for example, in October 2009 dissolved lignin concentrations increased roughly 240% with a 200% increase in river discharge. During these storms a unique phenolic composition was observed for dissolved lignin that was rapidly mobilized from surface soils relative to the base flow of dissolved lignin. The observed increase in Ad/Al ratios with discharge indicates that rapidly mobilized dissolved lignin is more degraded than the base flow of dissolved lignin. Similarly, a marked increase in C/V ratios and decrease in the S/V ratio of dissolved lignin phenols with increasing river discharge was observed. These results may indicate a difference in source between mobilized and base flow pools, or, more likely, preferential degradation and mobilization/retention of specific lignin phenols. The cumulative results from this year-long data set indicate that a shallow nutrient-rich pool of particulate and dissolved organic matter accumulates in watersheds during periods of soil-saturation deficiency (summer). Autumn and winter storms mobilize this pool of accumulated nutrients from surface soils, which is exhausted with successive winter storms.     

Temporal variation in organic carbon spiraling in Midwestern agricultural streams

Inland freshwaters transform and retain up to half of the carbon that enters from the terrestrial environment and have recently been recognized as important components of regional and global carbon budgets. However, the importance of small streams to these carbon budgets is not well understood due to the lack of globally-distributed data, especially from streams draining agricultural landscapes. We quantified organic carbon pools and heterotrophic metabolism seasonally in 6 low-order streams draining row-crop fields in northwestern Indiana, USA, and used these data to examine patterns in organic carbon spiraling lengths (S_OC; km), downstream velocities (V_OC; m/d), and turnover rates (K_OC; day^?1). There were seasonal differences in S_OC, with the longest spiraling lengths in winter (range: 7.7–54.4?km) and the shortest in early and late summer (range: 0.2–9.0?km). This seasonal pattern in S_OC was primarily driven by differences in discharge, suggesting that hydrology tightly controls the fate of organic carbon in these streams. K_OC did not differ seasonally, and variability (range: 0.0007–0.0193?day^?1) was controlled by differences in stream water soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations. Compared to previous studies conducted primarily in forested streams, agricultural streams tended to be less retentive of organic carbon. These systems function predominantly as conduits transporting organic carbon to downstream ecosystems, except during low, stable-flow periods (i.e., late summer) when agricultural streams can be as retentive of organic carbon as forested headwaters. High organic carbon retention in the late summer has implications for coupled carbon and nitrogen cycling (i.e., denitrification), which may play an important role in removing nitrate from stream water during periods of low flow.     

Groundwater controls on nutrient cycling in a Mojave desert stream

1. Groundwater fluxes of nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were investigated in Grape Vine Canyon Stream in the Mojave Desert focusing on the rate of inputs and the fate of groundwater-derived nutrients in the stream. Discharge rates from different ground waters were measured using an end-member mixing model coupled with injections of a conservative solute tracer into the stream channel.
2. In surface water, nitrate concentration averaged 1.13 mg N L^–1 and DOC concentration averaged 1.82 mg C L^–1.
3. Groundwater discharge into Grape Vine Canyon Stream was derived from three sources. Nitrate concentration varied among the three groundwater sources with mean concentrations of 0.56, 0.94 and 0.08 mg N L^–1. DOC, in contrast, did not vary among ground water sources, with an overall average concentration of 2.96 mg C L^–1.
4. In the surface stream, nitrate concentration was two-fold greater than the concentration predicted from groundwater input, indicating that in-stream processes generated nitrate. Stream DOC concentration was lower than predicted based upon groundwater input rate. The production of nitrate and loss of DOC suggest that DOC is lost through mineralisation of dissolved organic matter, possibly resulting in the mineralisation of dissolved organic nitrogen to ammonium and subsequent transformation to nitrate via nitrification. In further support of this hypothesised linkage, DOC loss explained 80–89% of the variance in nitrate production in Grape Vine Canyon Stream.     

Influences of dissolved organic carbon on stream water chemistry in two forested catchments in central Sweden

Stream water chemistry in two headwater streams draining two small, adjacent catchments in Bispgården, central Sweden was studied during the 2003 and 2004 growing seasons. The two catchments closely resemble each other in regard to size, shape and drainage density, with the major difference found in the area of wetland lining the streambeds. The emphasis of the study was to investigate the stream water chemistry of these closely resembling catchments, regarding the quality and quantity of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and its influence on the concentrations of di- and trivalent cations. The streams showed significant differences in the content and size distribution of DOC and in the distribution of cations between the different size fractions. For both streams the high flow events induced by precipitation influenced the chemistry of the streams through increase of organic matter and its associated cations. Fanbergsbäcken, with relatively low pH and high DOC concentration, had a greater amount of high molecular mass (HMM) DOC to which approximately 75% of Al and Fe and about 50% of Ca and Mg were associated. Gråbergsbäcken, with a higher pH and lower DOC level, had approximately 65% of Al, 40% of Fe and 30% of Ca and Mg associated to its HMM DOC fraction. Sixteen different low molecular mass organic acids were found in the stream water, of which oxalic and lactic acid were present in the highest concentrations.     

The effects of dissolved organic carbon,acidity and seasonality on metal geochemistry within a forested catchment on the Precambrian Shield,central Ontario,Canada

Metal pollution, in combination with other environmental stressors such as acid deposition and climate change, may disturb metal biogeochemical cycles. To investigate the influence of dissolved organic carbon, acidity and seasonality on metal geochemistry, this study has described concentrations of 19 metals as they pass through an acidified forested catchment on the Precambrian Shield in south-central Ontario, Canada. Metal, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and sulphate (SO₄ ²⁻) concentrations fluctuate throughout the catchment compartments as the water passes through and interacts with vegetation, soils and bedrock. Relationships among metals, DOC and SO₄ ²⁻ are most pronounced in compartments where DOC and SO₄ ²⁻ exhibit high variability, namely in the throughfall, organic horizon soil water, and wetland-draining stream. Metal, DOC and SO₄ ²⁻ concentrations varied seasonally in the streams, and temporal coherence occurred among metal, DOC and SO₄ ²⁻ concentrations in the organic horizon soil water and the wetland-draining stream (PC1). In the wetland-draining stream, the highest DOC, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and V concentrations occur in the summer, whereas concentrations of SO₄ ²⁻ and most other metals peak in the fall after a period of drought. Despite the rural location, provincial water quality objectives for surface water were exceeded for many metals when the peak fall values occurred.     

Faunal and chemical dynamics of some acid and alkaline New Zealand streams

SUMMARY 1. Water from acid (pH 4.3–5.7), brown water streams was low in alkalinity (0–2.3 g m^?3 CaCO₃) and conductivity (2.5–4.1 mS m^?1) but contained relatively high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (6.6–16.3 gm^?3). In contrast, alkaline (pH 6.6–8.0), clearwater streams had high CaCO₃ (12.6–57.6 g m^?3) and conductivity (3.7–22.3 mS m^?1) but low dissolved organic carbon concentrations (0.3–4.7 g m^?3). 2. Total reactive aluminium (Al) concentrations were high in acid streams (123–363 mg m?³) but never exceeded 84 mg m?³ in alkaline streams. Acid-soluble and organic monomeric Al were the major Al species in the acid streams (31–168 and 84–178mg m?³, respectively). Concentrations of toxic inorganic monomeric Al were low in all streams (<50mg m?³). 3. Sixty-four invertebrate taxa were collected from the alkaline streams compared to forty-seven from the acid sites. Numbers of taxa in specific insect orders were similar at all sites, however. Benthic faunas at most sites were dominated by the mayfly Deleatidium sp. and chironomids. 4. Overall, mean densities of benthic invertebrates were 2.4–4.8 times higher in alkaline streams than acid streams. No seasonal patterns of abundance were evident at any site. 5. Temporal variability of invertebrate densities was correlated with stream channel stability such that fluctuations in densities declined as stability increased. 6. Sources of dissolved organic carbon and aluminium in acid, brown water streams are discussed. We suggest that changes in the food supply available in acid streams account for the depauperate faunas found there.     

亚热带典型林分对表层和深层土壤可溶性有机碳、氮的影响

林分类型是影响土壤可溶性有机碳、氮库大小的重要因素,但目前对其研究主要集中在表层土壤(0～10 cm).本研究以亚热带地区天然林、毛竹林、格式栲人工林和杉木人工林为对象,用3种不同的浸提方式(冷水、热水和KCl溶液)提取表层(0～10 cm)和深层(40～60 cm)土壤中可溶性有机碳(DOC)和有机氮(DON),研究林分类型对表层和深层土壤可溶性有机碳、氮库的影响.结果表明: 林分类型对表层土壤DOC及其占土壤总有机碳(TOC)的比重有显著影响,深层土壤受林分类型的影响不显著;不同林分土壤DON含量仅在表层土壤存在显著差异,在深层土壤差异不显著.林分间土壤微生物生物量碳的差异仅在表层土壤达到显著水平.DON占土壤总氮(TN)的比重在各林分表层和深层土壤间差异均不显著.3种浸提方法得到的DOC和DON库大小顺序为热水>KCl>冷水,不同浸提方法得到的DOC库及DON库的相关性均达到显著水平,表明冷水、热水和KCl溶液浸提得到的有机碳、氮库含有相似组分.冷水和热水浸提方法得到的表层土壤DOC和DON含量及DOC占TOC比重在天然林和毛竹林均显著大于格式栲和杉木人工林,表明天然林和毛竹林土壤可溶性有机碳、氮含量高于格式栲和杉木人工林,更有利于土壤肥力的恢复.     

The effect of permafrost on stream biogeochemistry: A case study of two streams in the Alaskan (U.S.A.) taiga

Understanding interactions between permanently frozen soils and stream chemistry is important in predicting the effects of management, natural disturbance and changing permafrost distribution on stream ecosystems and nutrient budgets in subarctic watersheds. Chemical measurements of groundwater, soil water and stream water were made in two watersheds in the taiga of interior Alaska. One watershed (HiP) had extensive permafrost and the other (LoP) had limited permafrost. Soil water collected within the rooting zone (0.3--0.5 m) in both watersheds was high in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) but low in dissolved minerals (dominantly Ca, Mg and Na) and conductivity. The reverse was true for groundwater from springs and wells. Permafrost in the HiP basin prevented deep percolation of water and generated stormflows rich in DOC. The presence of permafrost in HiP resulted in higher fluxes of DOC, DON and DIN into stream water from upland soils.