Baseflow Conditions Research Articles

Groundwater, Acid and Carbon Dioxide Dynamics Along a Coastal Wetland, Lake and Estuary Continuum

Coastal wetlands are hotspots for biodiversity and biological productivity, yet the hydrology and carbon cycling within these systems remains poorly understood due to their complex nature. By using a novel spatiotemporal approach, this study quantified groundwater discharge and the related inputs of acidity and CO2 along a continuum of a modified coastal acid sulphate soil (CASS) wetland, a coastal lake and an estuary under highly contrasting hydrological conditions. To increase the resolution of spatiotemporal data and advance upon previous methodologies, we relied on automated observations from four simultaneous time-series stations to develop multiple radon mass balance models to estimate groundwater discharge and related groundwater inputs of acidity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), along with surface water to atmosphere CO2 fluxes. Spatial surveys indicated distinct acid hotspots with minimum surface water pH of 2.91 (dry conditions) and 2.67 (flood conditions) near a non-remediated (drained) CASS area. Under flood conditions, groundwater discharge accounted for ∼14.5 % of surface water entering the lake. During the same period, acid discharge from the acid sulphate soil section of the continuum produced ∼4.8 kg H2SO4 ha−1 day−1, a rate much higher than previous studies in similar systems. During baseflow conditions, the low pH water was rapidly buffered within the estuarine lake, with the pH increasing from 4.22 to 6.07 over a distance of ∼250 m. The CO2 evasion rates within the CASS were extremely high, averaging 2163 ± 125 mmol m−2 day−1 in the dry period and 4061 ± 259 mmol m−2 day−1 under flood conditions. Groundwater input of DIC could only account for 0.4 % of this evasion in the dry conditions and ∼5 % during the flood conditions. We demonstrated that by utilising a spatiotemporal (multiple time-series stations) approach, the study was able to isolate distinct zones of differing hydrology and biogeochemistry, whilst providing more reasonable groundwater acid input estimates and air–water CO2 flux estimates than some traditional sampling designs. This study highlights the notion that modified CASS wetlands can release large amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere because of high groundwater acid inputs and extremely low surface water pH.

Hydrological conditions control in situ DOM retention and release along a Mediterranean river

Uncertainties exist regarding the magnitude of in situ dissolved organic matter (DOM) processing in lotic systems. In addition, little is known about the effects of extreme hydrological events on in-stream DOM retention or release during downriver transport.This study quantified the net in-stream retention/release efficiencies (η) of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and its humic and protein-like fluorescent fractions along a Mediterranean river during drought, baseflow and flood conditions. High performance size exclusion chromatography was used to describe the apparent size distributions of the humic and protein-like DOM moieties. A snapshot mass balance allowed estimating the η values of DOC and humic and protein-like fractions. Significant DOM net retention (η < 0) was detected during the drought condition and the protein-like fraction was more retained than the humic-like fraction and bulk DOC. In addition, small substances were more efficiently retained than larger substances. DOC retention decreased under baseflow conditions, but it remained significant. The humic and protein-like net efficiencies exhibited high variability, but the net retention were not significant. From a longitudinal perspective, the entire fluvial corridor contributed net retention of DOC and humic and protein-like moieties net retention during drought condition. In contrast, net retention/release efficiencies exhibited spatial variability during baseflow condition. The flood preferentially mobilized large size DOM molecules and the fluvial corridor behaved as a homogeneous passive DOM (η = 0) conduit.This research highlights the relevance of hydrological extreme events on the magnitude of DOM retention/release mass balance and emphasizes the need to perform measurements during these conditions to quantify the impact of fluvial corridors on DOM fate and transport.

The impact of variations of influent loading on the efficacy of an advanced tertiary sewage treatment plant to remove endocrine disrupting chemicals

The impact of changes in influent load on the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) by sewage treatment has not been fully characterised. This study assessed the efficacy of an advanced tertiary sewage treatment plant (STP) to remove EDCs during normal and peak flow events of sewage influent using trace chemical analysis of selected EDCs and four estrogenic in vitro bioassays. During the summer holiday season, influent volume increased by 68%, nutrient concentrations by at least 26% and hydraulic retention time was reduced by 40% compared with base flow conditions. Despite these pressures on the treatment system the concentrations and mass loading of estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, Bisphenol A, 4-t-octylphenol and technical nonylphenol were not significantly higher (p>0.05) during the peak flow conditions compared with base flow conditions. Chemical analysis and in vitro bioassays showed that the efficacy of the STP in removing EDCs was not affected by the different loadings between baseline and peak flow regimes. This study demonstrates that large flow variations within the design capacity of advanced multi-stage STPs should not reduce the removal efficacy of EDCs.

Spatial and temporal variation of fecal indicator organisms in two creeks in Beltsville, Maryland

Evaluation of microbial water quality is commonly based on monitoring populations of fecal indicator organisms (FIO) such as Escherichia coli (EC) and enterococci (ENT). The occurrence of elevated FIO concentrations in surface waters after storm events is well documented and has been attributed to runoff and sediment resuspension. The reasons for FIO concentration variation under baseflow conditions are less clear. The objective of this study was to quantify the variability of EC and ENT in two small streams running through agricultural land use areas. FIO concentrations were measured at upstream and downstream locations under baseflow conditions. Concentrations were not significantly different along cross-sections of the streams. Diurnal concentration trends were observed at each of the sampling locations. Significant differences in concentrations between upstream and downstream locations were noted for both creeks during baseflow periods when no runoff or sediment resuspension occurred. A hypothetical explanation is that indicator organisms are released from sediments during baseflow conditions due to the effect of groundwater influx into streams or due to the motility of indicator organisms. If confirmed, this hypothesis may affect our understanding of the role of sediments in the microbial quality of surface waters.

Seasonal and flow-driven dynamics of particulate and dissolved mercury and methylmercury in a stream impacted by an industrial mercury source.

Sediments and floodplain soils in the East Fork Poplar Creek watershed (Oak Ridge, TN, USA) are contaminated with high levels of mercury (Hg) from an industrial source at the headwaters. Although baseflow conditions have been monitored, concentrations of Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) during high-flow storm events, when the stream is more hydrologically connected to the floodplain, have yet to be assessed. The present study evaluated baseflow and event-driven Hg and MeHg dynamics in East Fork Poplar Creek, 5 km upstream of the confluence with Poplar Creek, to determine the importance of hydrology to in-stream concentrations and downstream loads and to ascertain whether the dynamics are comparable to those of systems without an industrial Hg source. Particulate Hg and MeHg were positively correlated with discharge (r(2) = 0.64 and 0.58, respectively) and total suspended sediment (r(2) = 0.97 and 0.89, respectively), and dissolved Hg also increased with increasing flow (r(2) = 0.18) and was associated with increases in dissolved organic carbon (r(2) = 0.65), similar to the dynamics observed in uncontaminated systems. Dissolved MeHg decreased with increases in discharge (r(2) = 0.23) and was not related to dissolved organic carbon concentrations (p = 0.56), dynamics comparable to relatively uncontaminated watersheds with a small percentage of wetlands (<10%). Although stormflows exert a dominant control on particulate Hg, particulate MeHg, and dissolved Hg concentrations and loads, baseflows were associated with the highest dissolved MeHg concentration (0.38 ng/L) and represented the majority of the annual dissolved MeHg load. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1386-1400. Published 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US Government work, and as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

Fine sediment deposition and interstitial flow effects on macroinvertebrate community composition within riffle heads and tails

The distribution of macroinvertebrates in the heads and tails of riffles were examined in an in situ field experiment under stable baseflow conditions. Paired colonisation cylinders were used to examine the influence of vertical hydraulic exchange (upwelling and downwelling) and horizontal interstitial flow on the patterns of sedimentation and invertebrate colonisation. Sedimentation rates were greatest in cylinders permitting vertical and horizontal flow (VHE cylinders), and were significantly lower (29%) in cylinders where only vertical flow and ingress of fine sediment were possible (VE cylinders). The results demonstrate that horizontal interstitial flows represent an important pathway for fine sediment transport. Differences in fine sediment accumulation were also observed between riffle heads and tails. Significantly higher sedimentation rates were recorded in riffle tails, with the macroinvertebrate communities characterised by larger proportions of fine sediment tolerant taxa. In contrast, riffle head communities were characterised by greater proportions of sediment sensitive taxa, and in the case of VHE cylinders, shredders and EPT taxa. The results demonstrate that spatial differences in fine sediment deposition are evident at the riffle scale as a function of vertical and horizontal subsurface flows and that these factors play a key role in the distribution of macroinvertebrate fauna.

Hydrological response of an Alpine catchment to rainfall and snowmelt events

Alpine catchments are important sources of fresh water but compared to lower altitude catchments our understanding of the hydrological functioning of these catchments during rainfall and snowmelt events is still limited. The objectives of this study were i) to identify the dominant runoff generation mechanisms in the 0.14-km2 Bridge Creek Catchment in the Italian Dolomites during nine rainfall–runoff events and six snowmelt–runoff events in spring, summer and autumn of 2010–2012; and ii) to assess the effect of the selection of the pre-event water sample on the isotope hydrograph separation results. The isotopic composition of the pre-event water was determined by either a stream water sample taken prior to the event or the average of 19 stream water samples taken during baseflow conditions. The hydrograph separation results for the two methods were very similar for the rainfall events but differed for the snowmelt events. Average event water contributions ranged between 4% and 19% or 2% and 20% of the total runoff during rainfall events, and between 7% and 25% or 9% and 38% during snowmelt events, depending on the method used to determine the isotopic composition of pre-event water. Event water contributions were important during large rainfall events, intense rainfall events and late in the snowmelt season, with maximum event water contributions up to 37% and 46%, depending on the method used for determining the pre-event water composition. The electrical conductivity of stream water tended to first decrease and reach a minimum before peak streamflow and then to increase above pre-event values. The results of this study suggest that during dry conditions, direct channel precipitation and overland flow from the permanently saturated part of the riparian zone dominated the runoff response, with limited contributions of riparian or hillslope groundwater. During wet or very wet conditions (large rainfall events or peak snowmelt), saturation overland flow increased due to the expansion of the saturated areas and riparian groundwater and hillslope subsurface flow to streamflow increased as well. On the one hand, this work contributes to a better understanding of runoff generation processes in mountain headwater catchments where rainfall and snowmelt events dominate the hydrological response. On the other hand, this study highlights the sensitivity of the two-component hydrograph separation technique to the selection of the pre-event water sample for snowmelt events. This calls for further studies in snow-dominated catchments to determine the consistency of the isotopic composition of stream water prior to individual snowmelt events and to assess whether the individual melt events during the melt season should be considered part of a single long snowmelt event.

Quantitative sediment source attribution with compound-specific isotope analysis in a C3 plant-dominated catchment (central Switzerland)

Abstract. As sediment loads impact freshwater systems and infrastructure, their origin in complex landscape systems is of crucial importance for sustainable management of agricultural catchments. We differentiated the sediment source contribution to a lowland river in central Switzerland by using compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA). We found a clear distinction of sediment sources originating from forest and agricultural land use. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to reduce the uncertainty of sediment source attribution in: (i) using compound content (in our case, long-chain fatty acids; FAs) rather than soil organic matter content to transfer δ13C signal of FAs to soil contribution and (ii) restricting the investigation to the long-chain FAs (&gt; C22 : 0) not to introduce errors due to aquatic contributions from algae and microorganisms. Results showed unambiguously that during base flow, agricultural land contributed up to 65 % of the suspended sediments, while forest was the dominant sediment source during high flow. This indicates that connectivity of sediment source areas within the river changes between base and high flow conditions. Uncertainty, which might occur in complex, large-scale studies due to undetected source attribution and/or CSSI signature degradation, is low because of limited data complexity in our study (i.e., two–three sources and two tracers). Our findings are the first published results highlighting (i) significant differences in compound-specific stable isotope (CSSI) signature of sediment sources from land uses dominated by C3 plant cultivation and (ii) the use of these differences to quantify sediment contribution to a small river.

Watershed structural influences on the distributions of stream network water and solute travel times under baseflow conditions

AbstractWatershed structure influences the timing, magnitude, and spatial location of water and solute entry to stream networks. In turn, stream reach transport velocities and stream network geometry (travel distances) further influence the timing of export from watersheds. Here, we examine how watershed and stream network organization can affect travel times of water from delivery to the stream network to arrival at the watershed outlet. We analysed watershed structure and network geometry and quantified the relationship between stream discharge and solute velocity across six study watersheds (11.4 to 62.8 km2) located in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho, USA. Based on these analyses, we developed stream network travel time functions for each watershed. We found that watershed structure, stream network geometry, and the variable magnitude of inputs across the network can have a pronounced affect on water travel distances and velocities within a stream network. Accordingly, a sample taken at the watershed outlet is composed of water and solutes sourced from across the watershed that experienced a range of travel times in the stream network. We suggest that understanding and quantifying stream network travel time distributions are valuable for deconvolving signals observed at watershed outlets into their spatial and temporal sources, and separating terrestrial and in‐channel hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological influences on in‐stream observations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Diel turbidity cycles in a headwater stream: evidence of nocturnal bioturbation?

A small number of recent studies have linked daily cycles in stream turbidity to nocturnal bioturbation by aquatic fauna, principally crayfish, and demonstrated this process can significantly impact upon water quality under baseflow conditions. Adding to this limited body of research, we use high-resolution water quality monitoring data to investigate evidence of diel turbidity cycles in a lowland, headwater stream with a known signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) population and explore a range of potential causal mechanisms. Automatic bankside monitoring stations measured turbidity and other water quality parameters at 30-min resolution at three locations on the River Blackwater, Norfolk, UK, during 2013. Specifically, we focused on two 20-day periods of baseflow conditions during January and April 2013 which displayed turbidity trends typical of winter and spring seasons, respectively. The turbidity time-series, which were smoothed with 6.5-h Savitzky-Golay filters to highlight diel trends, were correlated against temperature, stage, dissolved oxygen and pH to assess the importance of abiotic influences on turbidity. Turbidity was also calibrated against suspended particulate matter (SPM) over a wide range of values via linear regression. Pronounced diel turbidity cycles were found at two of the three sites under baseflow conditions during April. Spring night-time turbidity values consistently peaked between 21:00 and 04:00 with values increasing by ~10 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) compared with the lowest recorded daytime values which occurred between 10:00 and 14:00. This translated into statistically significant increases in median midnight SPM concentration of up to 76 % compared with midday, with night-time (18:00–05:30) SPM loads also up to 30 % higher than that recorded during the daytime (06:00–17:30). Relating turbidity to other water quality parameters exhibiting diel cycles revealed there to be neither any correlation that might indicate a causal link nor any obvious mechanistic connections to explain the temporal turbidity trends. Diel turbidity cycles were less prominent at all sites during the winter. Considering the seasonality and timing of elevated turbidity, visual observations of crayfish activity and an absence of mechanistic connections with other water quality parameters, the results presented here are consistent with the hypothesis that nocturnal bioturbation is responsible for generating diel turbidity cycles under baseflow conditions in headwater streams. However, further research in a variety of fluvial environments is required to better assess the spatial extent, importance and causal mechanisms of this phenomenon.

Unravelling organic matter and nutrient biogeochemistry in groundwater-fed rivers under baseflow conditions: Uncertainty in in situ high-frequency analysis

In agricultural catchments, diffuse nutrient fluxes (mainly nitrogen N and phosphorus P), are observed to pollute receiving waters and cause eutrophication. Organic matter (OM) is important in mediating biogeochemical processes in freshwaters. Time series of the variation in nutrient and OM loads give insights into flux processes and their impact on biogeochemistry but are costly to maintain and challenging to analyse for elements that are highly reactive in the environment. We evaluated the capacity of the automated monitoring to capture typically low baseflow concentrations of the reactive forms of nutrients and OM: total reactive phosphorus (TRP), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) and tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF). We compared the performance of in situ monitoring (wet chemistry analyser, UV–vis and fluorescence sensors) and automated grab sampling without instantaneous analysis using autosamplers. We found that automatic grab sampling shows storage transformations for TRP and TLF and do not reproduce the diurnal concentration pattern captured by the in situ analysers. The in situ TRP and fluorescence analysers respond to temperature variation and the relationship is concentration-dependent. Accurate detection of low P concentrations is particularly challenging due to large errors associated with both the in situ and autosampler measurements. Aquatic systems can be very sensitive to even low concentrations of P typical of baseflow conditions. Understanding transformations and measurement variability in reactive forms of nutrients and OM associated with in situ analysis is of great importance for understanding in-stream biogeochemical functioning and establishing robust monitoring protocols.

Strontium concentrations and isotope ratios in a forest-river system in the South Qinling Mts., China

The concentrations of dissolved strontium (Sr) and isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) in rainwater, river water, and water from forest soil are measured to investigate the contributions of these sources to a river during base flow conditions in the relatively pristine South Qinling Mountains, China. Dissolved Sr concentrations and 87Sr/86Sr ratios vary significantly between different water types (p < 0.01) suggesting that it is suitable for differentiating sources. Dissolved Sr is also positively correlated with most ions and a range of physicochemical parameters (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively) in water samples including Ca2+, Mg2+, EC, and TDS (p < 0.001) indicating their similarities in the drivers of biogeochemical processes and common origins. The correlations between Sr isotopes and Ca/Na, Ca/K, and 1000/Sr ratios suggest that three end-members of atmospheric inputs, carbonate and silicate weathering control the Sr water chemistry in the river water. Using the three-source mixing model, atmospheric inputs, carbonate, and silicate weathering contribute 74%, 20%, and 6% respectively to the dissolved Sr in the river water. This research has provided new insights into the contribution of sources of Sr to a river system in a mountainous catchment.

Benthic Response to Flow Alteration in a New Mexico Arid Mountain Stream

Past and current pressure on streams and rivers for consumptive use requires the development of tools and decision-making processes for water managers to minimize impacts on ecological function. This paper examines the utility of modeling benthic biomass in relation to benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) community attributes for water resource management scenarios in the Cliff-Gila Valley of the Gila River, New Mexico, USA. The river benthos biomass model (RivBio) was used in conjunction with hydraulic modeling to predict growth and decline of benthic biomass. BMI community attributes were compared along gradients of hydrologic impact (successive existing diversions) in the Cliff Gila Valley and were compared to community attributes in similar regional streams. Benthic biomass was minimally affected by proposed diversions at flows above 4.25 cms (150 cfs), but was severely reduced downstream because of existing diversions during lower flow periods. Riffle habitat was disproportionately affected during extreme low and interrupted flow, which may have resulted in BMI communities shifted towards multi-habitat generalists that can persist in lentic conditions. Flow augmentation from proposed diversions and storage would greatly mitigate these existing biomass losses by providing consistent base flow and lotic conditions in riffle habitat. Both benthic biomass and BMI community endpoints were useful when comparing water management scenarios. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Water isotope characteristics of a flood: Brisbane River, Australia

AbstractFlooding associated with tropical storms can cause extreme perturbations in riverine and coastal ecosystems. Measuring isotope variability of tropical storm events can help investigate the impacts of flooding. We measured the water isotope composition (δD and δ18O) of rain and associated floodwater collected during two storms and subsequent major and minor flooding events in the subtropical coast of eastern Australia. Compared with baseline regional rainfall isotope values of −15.0 ± 1.9‰ for δD and −3.3 ± 0.2‰ for δ18O, floodwater had lower values with −33.8 ± 2.5‰ δD and −5.1 ± 0.4‰ δ18O for the major flood and −29.4 ± 1.0‰ δD and −4.6 ± 0.1‰ δ18O for the minor flood. The low isotope composition of the floodwater was associated with the transport of large quantities of suspended sediments, with sediment loads 30 to 70 times larger than during base flow conditions. Floods carried up to 35% of the annual phosphorus and up to 208% of the currently calculated average annual nitrogen load of the Brisbane River. The dramatic changes caused by a rapid increase in discharge from 2 to 2015 m3 s−1 over 2 days in the major flood would have major consequences in riverine and coastal ecosystems of the region. These changes could potentially be traced using the isotope composition of the floodwaters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Quantifying in-stream retention of nitrate at catchment scales using a practical mass balance approach.

As field data on in-stream nitrate retention is scarce at catchment scales, this study aimed at quantifying net retention of nitrate within the entire river network of a fourth-order stream. For this purpose, a practical mass balance approach combined with a Lagrangian sampling scheme was applied and seasonally repeated to estimate daily in-stream net retention of nitrate for a 17.4 km long, agriculturally influenced, segment of the Steinlach River in southwestern Germany. This river segment represents approximately 70% of the length of the main stem and about 32% of the streambed area of the entire river network. Sampling days in spring and summer were biogeochemically more active than in autumn and winter. Results obtained for the main stem of Steinlach River were subsequently extrapolated to the stream network in the catchment. It was demonstrated that, for baseflow conditions in spring and summer, in-stream nitrate retention could sum up to a relevant term of the catchment's nitrogen balance if the entire stream network was considered.

Occurrence and Distribution of Carbamate Pesticides and Metalaxyl in Southern Ontario Surface Waters 2007–2010

Surface water sampling in 2007–2010 measured the occurrence of carbamates and metalaxyl during base flow conditions and wet weather events in southern Ontario surface waters. Carbaryl, metalaxyl and pirimicarb were the most frequently detected compounds. In 2008 these three compounds were detected in over 50 % of the samples. Overall mean concentrations of carbaryl and metalaxyl over the course of the study (2007–2010) were 15 and 18 ng/L, respectively. Elevated concentrations of carbaryl (~100 to ~950 ng/L) appeared associated with wet weather (high flow) events, while highest concentrations of metalaxyl (~20–1330 ng/L) were correlated with base flow conditions. We attributed these observations as the result of runoff of carbaryl from the watershed during rain events, while metalaxyl contamination may have resulted primarily from spray drift.

Coupling catchment hydrology and transient storage to model the fate of solutes during low-flow conditions of an upland river

Summary The residence time of solutes in catchments is longer during low-flow conditions, due to the lengthening of transport routes and the decrease in transfer velocities. In rivers, transient storage depends largely on exchanges with channel storage and the hyporheic zone and reflects the capacity of the river to buffer pollutant loads before they enter the aquatic environment of final receptors. Our objective was to evaluate the fate of solutes along a typical confined river of upland catchments. First, we calculate lateral inflows using a variable-source hydrology approach. Then, water motion and quality in the river channel are predicted by combining hydrodynamics and exchanges with channel storage and the hyporheic zone. The model is mainly parametrized from literature data during baseflow conditions to mimic the fate of adsorptive and non-persistent pollutants. Residence time in surface water, channel storage and the hyporheic zone were found to be sensitive to lateral inflows from groundwater seepage. Channel storage is the main process controlling residence time in upstream conditions, where the riverbed is mainly composed of stones and bedrock. Downstream, along with the formation of sediment deposits and riffle-pool units, hyporheic exchanges also control the lag time in the transfer of solutes. By integrating physically-based processes, the number of parameters is small, but the model still requires a detailed description of stream geometry and morphology. It can be used to evaluate stream restoration or catchment-river management when detailed data of stream geometry and morphology are available.

Nitrogen cycling in a freshwater estuary

Freshwater estuaries may be important control points but have received limited research attention, emblematic of a general under-appreciation of these ecosystems and the services they provide. These ecotone environments exist at the interface of rivers flowing into large lakes, where seiches cause mixing of lotic and lentic waters within flooded river deltas. We assessed the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) retention and processing controls in the Saint Louis River Estuary (SLRE), which receives inputs from rivers, urban sources, and Lake Superior. Nitrate (NO3–N) was the dominant form of DIN and was consistently highest in the lower estuary due to seiche-delivered Lake Superior water and nitrification of ammonium from urban sources. The estuary transitioned from a net NO3–N source during high flows to a net sink during summer baseflow conditions. NO3–N availability controlled site-specific denitrification rates while sediment organic matter explained the spatial pattern in denitrification potential. As the estuary shifted from a riverine state to one with more lake influence, seiches delivered Lake Superior NO3–N to the lower portion of the estuary, alleviating the final denitrification control and activating the estuary’s ‘denitrification pump’. This amplified removal condition is maintained by critically delivered NO3–N during periods of warm temperatures and long residence times. Often these controls are unsynchronized in streams where NO3–N is typically lowest during summer baseflow. Similar ephemeral biogeochemical processes are likely found within other seiche-prone lakes where organic-rich sediments accumulate at river mouths and are supplied with chemically distinct lake water during low flow periods.

Increases in humic and bioavailable dissolved organic matter in a forested New England headwater stream with increasing discharge

Understanding the processes controlling the transfer of organic matter from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems is of fundamental importance for the aquatic sciences. Over the course of a full year, fluorescence, absorbance and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were characterised in Bigelow Brook, a forested headwater stream in Massachusetts, USA. Parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) identified a four-component model to describe observed DOM fluorescence (C1–C4). Component C2 exhibited the characteristics of a more humic-like fluorophore, with a potentially more reduced redox state and increased with discharge, whereas more fulvic-like (C1) and protein-like (C3, C4) fluorophores decreased. Under both dark and light-exposed conditions, percentage bioavailable dissolved organic carbon (%BDOC) increased with discharge (R2 = 0.37 and R2 = 0.56). C2 and specific absorptivity (SUVA) were reduced following BDOC incubations, whereas C1, C3 and C4 increased. These changes to DOM characteristics with increasing discharge were observed under both baseflow and stormflow conditions, indicating that with rising watertable, loading from a large riparian or hyporheic pool of organic matter is likely occurring. Other headwater streams, where loading is controlled by hillslope processes, are likely to exhibit a similar pattern of increasing export of more humic and bioavailable DOM during hydrologic events.

The mineralisation of dissolved organic matter recovered from temperate waterbodies during summer

Natural dissolved organic matter (DOM) has many forms in freshwaters, controlling C availability for heterotrophic respiration and ecosystem functions in headwaters and downstream ecosystems. This study aimed to examine the respiration of DOM recovered using reverse osmosis (RO) during extended summer baseflow from a parkland Pond (DOMPond) and three headwater rivers: moorland (DOMMoor), mixed agriculture (DOMAgr) and predominantly moorland system with mixed riparian forest (DOMForest), and compared to glucose and soil-derived fulvic acid. Batch decomposition tests at time points up to 379 h were completed in a replicated 96-well micro-plate system (MicroResp) spiking river sediments carrying a standardised microbial inoculum with C sources at two concentrations (1513 and 30 µgC/g sediment dry matter). Respiration rates were greatest initially and declined over time with an exponential form. Total C respired (38–80 %, following subtraction of basal respiration controls) for the high C treatment followed: DOMForest > DOMAgr > DOMMoor > DOMPond > Fulvic acid. A similar order occurred at the low C treatment but BDOC >100 % was evidence that added DOM primed respiration of the sediment C above that of basal controls. Despite issues of high background salt concentrations in the DOM matrix caused by the RO procedure results show that even under summer baseflow conditions DOM can be highly labile. Labile C generated especially from agricultural catchments and those with riparian forests may be conveyed downstream to fresh and estuarine waters to control ecological processes at critical times of the year.