Dissolved organic matter in relation to nutrients (N and P) and heavy metals in surface runoff water as affected by temporal variation and land uses – A case study from Indian River Area, south Florida, USA

Abstract

Transport of dissolved organic matter in runoff water plays a critical role in the increased inputs of nutrients (N and P) and metals (Fe, Cu and Zn) in water, and the deposition of muck sediments in the Saint Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon, Florida. The objectives of this study were to investigate the variation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DN) in surface runoff water with varying land uses, and to explore their possible relations with the leaching losses of nutrients N and P, and metals Fe, Cu, and Zn from different land uses. For this, surface runoff water from two major agricultural production systems (citrus grove and vegetable farm) in south Florida was collected weekly using pre-installed autosamplers during Jan. 2008–Mar. 2010. Meanwhile, runoff water from twelve field sites with varying land uses (such as ranch, golf course, and forest) was collected monthly using a grab sampler from Aug. 2008 to April, 2010, and soils were collected at the depth of 0–15cm and 15–30cm twice a year from autosampler-installed locations and on Nov. 25th, 2008 from grab sampling locations as well. In the field, water samples were measured for electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature; in the laboratory, water samples were analyzed for pH, total solids, turbidity, DOC, DN, total P (TP), and metals Cu, Fe and Zn with or without passing a 0.45μm filter membrane. After passing a 2mm sieve, fresh soil samples were analyzed for moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, 0.5M K2SO4 solution extractable DOC/DN, and Mehlich 3 extractable P, Fe, Cu, and Zn. Spatial and temporal variations in the concentrations of DOC and DN in runoff water were observed, with the greatest average concentrations of DOC and DN from ranch (∼28 and ∼2.3mgL−1) and the lowest from golf course (∼16mgL−1) for DOC and from forest and nursery for DN (∼1.5–1.6mgL−1), respectively. Temporal fluctuations of DOC and DN in runoff water from varying land uses were in good accord with rainfall intensity and frequency of rainfall. Temporal variations of TP and metals Fe, Cu, and Zn were influenced by climatic condition as well. Citrus grove exported greater amounts of DOC and DN in runoff water (27.6 and 3.51mgL−1 of median value) than vegetable farms (13.8 and 2.26mgL−1 of median value). Annual cumulative loads of DOC and total N in 2008, 2009 or 2010 were >20kgha−1, greater than those of TP (<13.5kgha−1) and metals Fe, Cu, and Zn (<1.5kgha−1). Ranch soil had the highest extractable DOC concentration (>100mgkg−1), accounting for 1% of its total organic carbon. Soil extractable DN had significant correlations with extractable P and Cu/Zn in soils. In conclusion, soil total organic carbon pool and its availability had an important effect on DOC and DN in runoff water. Land use type and rainfall event were the two influential factors affecting concentrations of DOC and DN, and the export of nutrients N and P, and metals in runoff water.