Hydrological processes and chemical characteristics of low-alpine patterned wetlands, south-central New Zealand

Abstract

Summary Patterned wetlands in New Zealand are not only rare, but they are distinguished from their Northern Hemisphere counterparts by their vegetation and the supply of rainfall which is relatively free of pollution. Hydrological processes in two low-alpine patterned wetlands (5 and 220 ha) on block-faulted uplands in south-central South Island, New Zealand were investigated using hydraulic head gradients, and chemical and isotope data. There was no significant spatial variability in chemical parameters within either wetland, although the larger wetland is characterised by a lower trophic status than the smaller one. Ca2+ concentrations and pH of surface water of both wetlands are within the range of that of Northern Hemisphere ombrotrophic/mesotrophic bogs and poor fens. Pool water chemistry only partially overlaps with the lower end of the Ca2+ distribution for the Northern Hemisphere wetlands, likely to be caused by the low level of Ca2+ in aeolian dust. The pH in the pools of the small wetland was generally higher, probably as a result of differing organic acid production by the Sphagnum and sedge species, both of which were common and dominant or sub-dominant in the wetlands. Some temporal variability was observed, possibly due to seasonal variations in plant uptake and/or rainfall. A steady increase in Na+ concentrations in the pools over 4 years was tentatively attributed to an excess of supply from rainfall and/or groundwater. Cation and stable isotope data indicate strong evaporation in pools and surface water, despite the high ambient relative humidity, and mixing within the top of the wetland sequence. Stratigraphy indicates that peat formation has been interrupted by flooding or runoff, bringing mineral matter into the wetlands, particularly in the earlier development stages of the larger wetland. The peat sequence is thicker in the smaller wetland, reaching up to 2.8 m, with limited mineral input during wetland development. The relatively low pH and ionic concentrations in the contemporary water and peat sequence of the larger wetland indicate that it has become isolated from runoff and mineral input.