Streamwater chemistry in three contrasting monolithologic Czech catchments

Abstract

Hydrochemical patterns resulting from differing bedrock geochemistry were ascertained by concurrent streamwater sampling in three small catchments, each underlain by geochemically contrasting silicate rock types in the western Czech Republic, Central Europe in 2001–2010. The catchments are situated 5–7 km apart in the Slavkov Forest and are occupied by Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations. They have similar altitude, area, topography, mean annual air temperature, and atmospheric deposition fluxes. The amount of base cations oxides (Ca + Mg + Na + K) is markedly different among the three studied rocks (leucogranite 8%, amphibolite 22%, serpentinite 36%). The leucogranite contains a very small amount of MgO, while the serpentinite contains extremely large amounts of MgO. The amphibolite contains an intermediate amount of MgO and elevated CaO. The Lysina, on leucogranite, exhibited very small concentrations of Mg (median 0.4 mg L−1) in streamwater; Pluhův Bor, on serpentinite, contained extremely high concentrations of streamwater Mg (18 mg L−1). Streamwater in the Na Zeleném catchment, on amphibolite, contained an intermediate amount of Mg and an elevated Ca. Very low pH (4.2), negative alkalinity (−60 μeq L−1) and high inorganic monomeric Al concentrations (0.3 mg L−1) were found in the stream draining leucogranite. Serpentinite streamwater exhibited the highest pH (7.6), alkalinity (+940 μeq L−1) and Ni concentrations (100 μg L−1). Aquatic chemistry reflected the composition of the underlying rocks within the studied catchments. Contrasting streamwater compositions of the studied catchments were generated according to the MAGIC model simulations mainly by differences in chemical weathering rates of base cations (65 meq m−2 a−1 at Lysina, 198 meq m−2 a−1 at Na Zeleném, and 241 meq m−2 a−1 at Pluhův Bor).