Groundwater Al dynamics in boreal hillslopes at three integrated monitoring sites along a sulphur deposition gradient in Sweden

Abstract

Summary Data from four soil water and groundwater transects from three small, boreal catchments situated along a south–north sulphur deposition gradient in Sweden were studied to assess whether the soils in the near stream zone can significantly modify the groundwater aluminium (Al) chemistry just before it enters the stream and to what extent different levels of acid deposition influences this. The results show that the groundwater aluminium species composition (Alt = total, Alo ∼ organic, Ali ∼ inorganic) and concentrations reflected the variations in groundwater pH ( r Al i 2 = 0.74 ) or TOC ( r Al o 2 = 0.93 ) or a combination of both ( r Al t 2 = 0.89 ). The highest Al concentrations were recorded in shallow groundwater, creating the prerequisites for large lateral Al-fluxes along the hillslopes during episodes of high flow when superficial flow paths are active. A downhill gradient was also seen, with increasing Alo and TOC concentrations towards the stream. Reduced Ali, in absolute as well as relative terms, but increased Alt concentrations in the discharge areas, indicate complex reactions favouring Alo formation and a local input of Alo from the soils. Results from the transect with the most detailed riparian sampling showed that in the last few meters before lateral flow reaches the stream, the mixing of superficial acid soil/groundwater and well-buffered groundwater that had moved along deeper flow paths increased pH and reduced the Ali and Alt concentrations, tangibly. The Alo concentrations were little affected by this pH increase, but at the soil and stream water interface Ali formation was favoured due to the low pH and DOC concentrations in the surface water. Hydrological and soil forming processes within the catchments were more important than acid deposition for the Al dynamics along the hillslopes.