Blanket Peat Catchments Research Articles

Rainfall intensity and catchment size control storm runoff in a gullied blanket peatland

Upland blanket peat is widespread in the headwaters of UK catchments, but much of it has been degraded through atmospheric pollution, vegetation change and erosion. Runoff generation in these headwaters is an important element of downstream flood risk and these areas are increasingly the focus of interventions to restore the peat ecosystem and to potentially mitigate downstream flooding. Here we use a series of multivariate analysis techniques to examine controls on storm runoff behavior within and between ten blanket peat catchments all within 5 km of one another and ranging in size from 0.2 to 3.9 ha. We find that: 1) for all 10 catchments, rainfall intensity is the dominant driver for both magnitude and timing of peak discharge, and that total and antecedent rainfall is important for peak discharge only in small storms; 2) there is considerable inter-catchment variability in: runoff coefficient, lag time, peak runoff, and their predictability from rainfall; however, 3) a significant fraction of the inter-catchment variability can be explained by catchment characteristics, particularly catchment area; and 4) catchment controls on peak discharge and runoff coefficient for small storms highlight the importance of storage and connectivity while those for large events suggest that surface flow attenuation dominates. Together these results suggest a switching rainfall-runoff behavior where catchment storage, connectivity and antecedent conditions control small discharge peaks but become increasingly irrelevant for larger storms. Our results suggest that, in the context of Natural Flood Management potential, expanding depression storage (e.g. distributed shallow water pools) in addition to existing restoration methods could increase the range of storms within which connectivity and storage remain important and that for larger storms measures which target surface runoff velocities are likely to be important.

From Highs to Lows: Changes in Dissolved Organic Carbon in a Peatland Catchment and Lake Following Extreme Flow Events

The concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in freshwater catchments has implications for carbon availability in downstream lakes and for water supplies. The links between catchment hydrology and stream and lake DOC concentrations are, however, still not fully understood. Much of the literature has been from catchments with organo-mineral soils, with fewer studies from upland peat sites. We used high-frequency fluorescence data, a proxy for DOC, to investigate 1. the relationship between stream discharge and concentration in a blanket peat catchment during extreme high flows and 2. the relationship between inflow and in-lake estimated DOC concentrations. We found that for approximately two thirds of extreme events, there was a decrease in stream DOC concentration (i.e., a dilution) on the rising limb rather than an increase (i.e., a flushing out of DOC from terrestrial stores). Flushing events dominated only in summer when concentrations in the stream were also increasing. In comparison to the stream, concentrations in the downstream lake were less variable, and peaks and troughs were damped and lagged. Replicating these patterns and processes in DOC models would be critical in order to provide appropriate simulations in response to shorter- and longer-term changes in climate, and thus inform future catchment and lake management.

Controls on the spatial distribution of natural pipe outlets in heavily degraded blanket peat

Natural soil pipes are recognised as a common geomorphological feature in many peatlands, and they can discharge large quantities of water and sediment. However, little is known about their morphological characteristics in heavily degraded peat systems. This paper presents a survey of pipe outlets in which the frequency and extent of natural soil pipes are measured across a heavily gullied blanket peat catchment in the Peak District of northern England. Over a stream length of 7.71 km we determined the occurrence and size of 346 pipe outlets, and found a mean frequency of 22.8 km−1 gully bank. Topographic position was an important control on the size and depth of pipe outlets. Aspect had a large influence on pipe outlet frequency, with southwest and west- facing gully banks hosting more than 43% of identified pipe outlets. Pipe outlets on streambanks with signs of headward retreat were significantly larger and closer to the peat surface compared to pipe outlets that issued onto uniform streambank edges. We suggest that larger pipe frequencies are observed on gully banks that are more susceptible to desiccation cracking, and propose that future peatland restoration works could prioritise mitigating against pipe formation by revegetating and reprofiling south and west facing gully banks.

A distributed TOPMODEL for modelling impacts of land‐cover change on river flow in upland peatland catchments

AbstractThere is global concern about headwater management and associated impacts on river flow. In many wet temperate zones peatlands can be found covering headwater catchments. In the UK there is major concern about how environmental change, driven by human interventions, has altered the surface cover of headwater blanket peatlands. However, the impact of such land‐cover changes on river flow is poorly understood. In particular, there is poor understanding of the impacts of different spatial configurations of bare peat or well‐vegetated, restored peat on river flow peaks in upland catchments. In this paper, a physically based, distributed and continuous catchment hydrological model was developed to explore such impacts. The original TOPMODEL, with its process representation being suitable for blanket peat catchments, was utilized as a prototype acting as the basis for the new model. The equations were downscaled from the catchment level to the cell level. The runoff produced by each cell is divided into subsurface flow and saturation‐excess overland flow before an overland flow calculation takes place. A new overland flow module with a set of detailed stochastic algorithms representing overland flow routing and re‐infiltration mechanisms was created to simulate saturation‐excess overland flow movement. The new model was tested in the Trout Beck catchment of the North Pennines of England and found to work well in this catchment. The influence of land cover on surface roughness could be explicitly represented in the model and the model was found to be sensitive to land cover. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nutrient and heavy metals in decaying harvest residue needles on drained blanket peat forests

Harvest residue decomposition can significantly contribute to nutrient and heavy metal exports to receiving water courses. This study monitors the nutrient and heavy metal dynamics in decaying Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine harvest residue needles on Atlantic blanket peat forests in the west of Ireland. Using the litterbag method, harvest residue was placed both within and between furrows in two uncut forest and two clear-cut sites. On the clear-cut sites, the litterbags were positioned outside the harvest residue piles (i.e. brash windrows). Over the 2-year monitoring period, the needles decomposed slower at the clear-cut sites than the uncut forest sites, with mass losses of 46–55 and 58–77 %, respectively. Approximately 20 % less phosphorous (P) was released from the decaying needles at the clear-cut sites, while nitrogen (N) was released only at the uncut sites. Tree species was a significant factor contributing to nutrient and heavy metal release and accumulation patterns, with higher concentrations of aluminium (Al), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in the decaying spruce needles than in pine. Conversely, the spruce needles showed accelerated depletion of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) relative to the pine. The harvest residue needle positioning (inside furrow/between furrows) and the site soil characteristics contributed significantly to Al transformations in spruce needles and iron (Fe) in both spruce and pine needles, with more accumulation occurring inside the furrows where Al and Fe contents of the peat were high. Manganese (Mn) was released from the needles in three of the four sites with a total release of over 90 % within 2 years. In the remaining site, where the Mn content of the peat was high, an accumulation of Mn in the needles was observed. The decomposition of needles on blanket peat catchments may be a significant source of P to receiving water courses, owing to their fast release of P, but not a likely source for N export.

Spatial and seasonal variation of peatland-fed riverine macroinvertebrate and benthic diatom assemblages and implications for assessment: a case study from Ireland

Blanket peat catchments are important biodiversity refugia. Key pressures on peatland catchment water bodies include artificial drainage, forestry, over-grazing, wind farm development and climate change, and assessment of these pressures requires sensitive monitoring programmes. This study, undertaken in two neighbouring blanket peat catchments, examined the variability in macroinvertebrate and diatom assemblages and related indices in response to spatial and seasonal variability. Multivariate analysis revealed significant trends in the taxa distribution of both groups and the indices downstream and away from the constraining influence of the peat. However, the ecological quality ratios and status assessments for the associated water bodies were consistent irrespective of spatial variability in assemblages and raw indices. Significant seasonal trends emerged only in the macroinvertebrate assemblages and indices. This study contributes to the understanding of sources of uncertainty in ecological assessment and thus provides valuable information for the calibration of assessment protocols for sensitive peatland catchments.

Export of phosphorus and nitrogen from lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) brash windrows on harvested blanket peat forests

Enhanced nutrient export from blanket peats and other peat soils after forest harvesting has been reported by several studies. As part of forest practices on afforested blanket peat, harvest residues are utilized as brash mats to improve the soil carrying capacity against heavy machinery to extract the harvested timber to the roadside, before being collected together to form brash windrows, between which the second rotation trees are planted. Three types of experiments were conducted to assess the impact of brash windrows, derived from lodgepole pine forests, on phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) release in blanket peat catchments. First, a field survey was conducted in 6 sites to study the easily extractable P and N contents in soil below brash windrows and respective brash free areas. The dynamics of N and P release when water flows from a windrow to a brash-free area was assessed using laboratory flume studies. Finally, the role of windrows in N and P export to adjacent watercourses under field conditions was assessed using artificially isolated mini-catchments with and without harvest residues. The study showed that windrows in blanket peat catchments are a significant source of P release to soil and soil water underneath and act as hot spots for P export to receiving waters. The windrows may act as a sink rather than a source for N during the early stages of their decomposition. However, more N was exported from brash-covered than brash-free areas, the probable reason being that microbial activity and soil N mineralization was increased under brash. Forest management options other than windrowing brash should be developed and studied to decrease N and P release and transport to watercourses from blanket peat catchments.

Biotic response to forest harvesting in acidic blanket peat fed streams: A case study from Ireland

Blanket peat catchments are important biodiversity refugia and are increasingly recognised for their role in regional carbon and water balances. A key pressure on these catchments is forest clearfelling which increases stream phosphorus potentially leading to eutrophication. However, these unique systems are underrepresented in the development of bioassessment monitoring programmes and so are at risk to impacts. In this study, a multiple before-after-control-impact (MBACI) study was designed in three neighbouring peatland catchments and provided a unique opportunity to assess the impact of forest clearfelling events on macroinvertebrate and phytobenthic assemblages. Statistical analysis revealed substantial differences in the macroinvertebrate assemblages after clearfelling with higher abundances of chironomids. Macroinvertebrate derived indices EPT, diversity and species richness were significantly reduced. This was accompanied by a shift in functional feeding group representation away from shredders and collector–filterers to a dominance of collector–gatherers after clearfelling. In contrast, forest clearfelling did not significantly impact the diatom assemblages and diatom derived indices remained static for the duration of the study period.

Assessment of phosphorus retention efficiency of blanket peat buffer areas using a laboratory flume approach

Large areas of upland blanket peat were afforested in the UK and Ireland before the importance of the riparian buffer areas was realized. These forests are now reaching harvestable age. In order to reduce the possible negative impact of harvesting activities on receiving water bodies, the creation of buffer areas along receiving water courses prior to the clear-felling of the main plantation has been proposed. In this study, laboratory flumes were used to assess the dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) retention efficiency of the vegetated and non-vegetated blanket peatland buffer areas under different hydraulic loadings. In addition, a mini-buffer approach is proposed and tested with flumes. The idea with mini-buffers is to keep P on site and reduce P transportation from harvest residues. In the grassed flumes, the DRP removal efficiencies gradually decreased from 80% to 40% and 30% to 18% when the hydraulic loadings increased from 49 to 123mmh−1 and 256 to 444mmh−1, respectively. In the non-grassed flumes, the DRP removal was about the same as for the grassed flumes when the hydraulic loading was 49mmh−1 but was significantly less when the hydraulic loadings increased to 123, 256 and 444mmh−1. The mini-buffer method could retain 88–95% (with seeded grasses) and 54–62% (without seeded grasses) of added DRP under different inflow DRP concentrations (between 0.5 and 3mgDRPL−1). After ending the overland flow experiment, the water extractable phosphorus (WEP) and pore water P concentrations in the non-grassed flumes were significantly higher than the grassed flumes, indicating a higher risk of subsequent P release from non-grassed buffer areas after ending of P-rich overland flow. Our results indicated that the overall P retention capacity of the normal buffer areas in blanket peat catchments is low due to frequent occurrence of high flow events that significantly reduce buffer P retention efficiency. In contrast, the mini-buffer method could be a feasible means of increasing onsite P retention. This study is of particular interest currently as large areas of upland blanket peat forests without buffer areas in the UK and Ireland are being harvested or scheduled to be harvested in the near future.

Diatom assemblages and their associated environmental factors in upland peat forest rivers

The acid-sensitive upland blanket peat catchments are important habitats for diatom assemblages. In this study, the distribution patterns of epilithic diatom assemblages in the streams of upland forested blanket peat in north-west of Ireland are presented and the associated environmental factors are discussed. A total of 43 sites in 16 rivers were sampled. Multivariate analysis highlighted alkalinity and conductivity as the main physicochemical drivers of riverine diatom assemblages. Contrary to expectations nutrients were not found to have a major influence on the diatoms. A major flood event had a significant impact on the diatom assemblage, and one year after the event, long stalked diatom taxa were still largely absent from the river, indicating that floods could be one of the important factors affecting diatom assemblages. However, the ecological status of the affected sites, as determined by the EQR, did not alter from before to after the flood. The results of this study could be applied to similar acid-sensitive upland peat forest catchments and used as the benchmark to assess the impact of forest operations and peat degradation on ecological status.

Morphological change of natural pipe outlets in blanket peat

ABSTRACTPeatlands are important carbon stores and many have natural pipes (tunnels) that transport water and carbon. Pipes are often viewed as passive and slowly changing features of peatland landscapes, particularly for sites that are relatively undisturbed by land management. However, there is a lack of data on pipe morphology change over time. This paper presents the first survey of natural pipe outlets in a peatland in which morphological changes in pipe outlets through time were measured. Three surveys of natural pipe outlets between 2007 and 2010 were conducted in a 17.4 ha, relatively undisturbed, blanket‐peat‐covered catchment in northern England. 27 of the 91 pipe outlets mapped in the first survey had perennial discharge and these outlets were significantly larger and shallower than those from ephemerally‐flowing pipes. The cross‐sectional area of 85% of pipe outlets changed (increased or decreased) during the study, with 20% of pipe outlet areas changing by more than 50 cm2 (equivalent to a median 207 % change in area for this upper fifth of pipes) up to a maximum of 312 cm2 for one pipe outlet. During the study, 18 pipe outlets completely infilled, while four new ones appeared. Mean pipe outlet area increased between August 2007 and July 2009 but decreased from July 2009 to April 2010. The largest changes in pipe morphology occurred between July 2009 and April 2010, which spanned the coldest winter for 31 years in the UK. During this period there was a significant increase in the proportion of vertically‐elongated pipes and a decrease in the proportion of circular pipes. Pipe outlet morphology in blanket peat catchments is shown to be dynamic and may respond relatively quickly to changes in flow or extreme events, linked to short‐term changes in weather and hence potentially to longer‐term changes in climate or land management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Phosphorus release from forest harvesting on an upland blanket peat catchment

The aim of this study was to investigate the release of phosphorus (P) to receiving waters resulting from harvesting 34-year-old lodgepole pine trees in an upland peat catchment. The study site was within a 25.3-hectare (ha) area, and was drained by a stream that received flows from ploughed furrows, mainly, via collector drains, and discharged directly to the salmonid Shrahrevagh River, Burrishoole, Co. Mayo, Ireland. The study site was divided into two parts: the upstream part was left intact and the downstream part was harvested in early Autumn 2005 following implementation of forest guidelines. Good management practices such as proper use of brash mats and harvesting only in dry weather were implemented. Two instrumented stations were established – one just upstream (US) and the other just downstream (DS) of the clearfelled area. The measurement of P concentrations at the two stations commenced in May 2005, two months before the harvesting started. The daily mean P concentration at the DS station increased from about 6 μg L −1 of total reactive phosphorus (TRP) during pre-clearfelling to 429 μg L −1 in August 2006. By October 2009, four years after clearfelling, the P concentrations at the DS station had returned to pre-clearfelling levels. In the first three years after harvesting, up to 5.15 kg ha −1 of TRP was released from the harvested catchment to the receiving water; in the second year alone, 2.3 kg ha −1 of TRP was released. Linear regression can be used to describe the relationship between TRP load and water discharge. About 80% of the total phosphorus (TP) in the study stream was soluble and more than 70% of the P release occurred in storm events, indicating that traditional buffer strips with widths of 15–20 m might not be efficient for P immobilization. The P concentrations were affected by antecedent weather conditions and highest concentrations occurred during storm events following prolonged drought periods. The water extractable phosphorus (WEP) contents in the soil were significantly higher below windrow/brash material than in brash-free areas, and whole-tree harvesting should be studied as one of the means to decrease P export from blanket peats.

Long-term change in storm hydrographs in response to peatland vegetation change

The runoff from blanket peatland catchments tends to be dominated by flashy stormflows. However, it is not known whether changes in vegetation cover influence the nature of stormflow hydrographs from blanket peatlands. This is important since degraded peatlands are of concern to restoration bodies who seek to understand the wider impacts of restoration investment on ecosystem services. This paper tests the hypothesis that peak flows are significantly higher and lag times shorter at the catchment scale when blanket peat vegetation cover is reduced. Storm hydrograph data from the 1950s to the present day are analysed from a blanket peat catchment in northern England. The proportion of the catchment that was vegetated appears to have declined between the early 1950s and mid 1970s and then increased again to the present day. The changes in the proportion of bare peat over the catchment are coincident with changes in storm hydrographs. Hydrographs were significantly peakier with higher peaks per unit of rainfall (0.40 m3 mm−1 compared with 0.27 m3 mm−1) and narrower hydrograph shapes during the more eroded periods in the catchment and less so as the site has revegetated. Mean peak storm discharge was also significantly higher during the most eroded period. Thus, for the first time we have found evidence in a blanket peat headwater catchment that vegetation cover influences river flow response to rainfall.

Land management as a factor controlling dissolved organic carbon release from upland peat soils 1: Spatial variation in DOC productivity

The importance of soil storage in global carbon cycling is well recognised and factors leading to increased losses from this pool may act as a positive feedback mechanism in global warming. Upland peat soils are usually assumed to serve as carbon sinks, there is however increasing evidence of carbon loss from upland peat soils, and DOC concentrations in UK rivers have increased markedly over the past three decades. A number of drivers for increasing DOC release from peat soils have been proposed although many of these would not explain fine-scale variations in DOC release observed in many catchments. We examined the effect of land use and management on DOC production in upland peat catchments at two spatial scales within the UK. DOC concentration was measured in streams draining 50 small-scale catchments (< 3 km 2) in three discrete regions of the south Pennines and one area in the North Yorkshire Moors. Annual mean DOC concentration was also derived from water colour data recorded at water treatment works for seven larger scale catchments (1.5–20 km 2) in the south Pennines. Soil type and land use/management in all catchments were characterised from NSRI digital soil data and ortho-corrected colour aerial imagery. Of the factors assessed, representing all combinations of soil type and land use together with catchment slope and area, the proportion of exposed peat surface resulting from new heather burning was consistently identified as the most significant predictor of variation in DOC concentration. This relationship held across all blanket peat catchments and scales. We propose that management activities are driving changes in edaphic conditions in upland peat to those more favourable for aerobic microbial activity and thus enhance peat decomposition leading to increased losses of carbon from these environments.

Flow through macropores of different size classes in blanket peat

Blanket peats are important source areas for runoff in many northern European headwaters. The upper peat layer (20 cm) is dominant in producing flow in blanket peat catchments. However, little information exists on the relative roles of different size classes of macropore in water movement in this upper peat layer. This study uses results from tension infiltrometer experiments to assess the role of different size class of macropores in runoff generation. Infiltration measurements were performed under four surface cover types (bare, Eriophorum, Calluna and Sphagnum-dominated), at four soil depths (0, 5, 10 and 20 cm) and at four water tensions (0, −3, −6 and −12 cm). Macropore flow was found to be an important pathway for runoff generation. Only 22% of the flow in the upper 20 cm of peat occurred in pores smaller than 0.25 mm in diameter. The remaining portion of flow was equally divided between those pores between 0.25 mm and 1 mm in diameter those pores greater than 1 mm in diameter. Most of the flow in upland blanket peat was generated from only a small volume of the peat. At the surface around 80% of flux was generated through only 0.26% of the peat volume while at 5 cm depth, while percolation rates were an order of magnitude slower than at the surface, 85% of the flux was generated from only 0.01% of the peat volume. Infiltration and effective porosity both declined by over two orders of magnitude over the top 20 cm of the peat. The variability in flow and effective porosity was found to be similar between different pore size classes.

Lead contamination of fluvial sediments in an eroding blanket peat catchment

Over the last few years there has been growing concern over the mobilisation of anthropogenically derived, atmospherically deposited Pb from upland blanket peat soils to receiving surface waters. The near-surface layer of blanket peat soils of the Peak District, southern Pennines, UK, is severely contaminated with high concentrations of Pb. Erosion of peat soils in this upland area may be releasing large quantities of previously deposited Pb into the fluvial system. Samples of fluvial sediments (suspended, floodplain, streamside fan, trash-line and channel bed) were collected from a severely eroding blanket peat catchment in the Peak District in order to investigate Pb contamination of fluvial sediments, to determine the mechanism for fluvial Pb transport and to determine if erosion of contaminated peat soils in the catchment is releasing Pb into the fluvial system. Concentrations of Pb associated with fluvial sediments are considerably higher than those in the catchment geology, but not as high as those in peat soils in the catchment. Intra- and inter-storm variability in the Pb content of suspended sediments can be explained by differences in organic matter content of these sediments and differences in erosion processes operating within the catchment. High Pb concentrations are associated with suspended sediments that have a high organic matter content. The results of this study suggest that organic matter is the principle vector for sediment-associated Pb in the fluvial system. Erosion of contaminated peat soils in the Peak District is releasing Pb into the fluvial system. The extent to which this is a problem in other peatland environments is an area requiring further research.

Spatial variation in concentrations of dissolved nitrogen species in an upland blanket peat catchment

The concentration of nitrogen (N), particularly as nitrate (NO3-N), in upland streams, lakes and rivers is frequently used as a diagnostic of the vulnerability of upland ecosystems to increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition and N saturation. The N content of running waters, however, is generally assessed on the basis of sampling at a limited number of points in space and time within the catchment under investigation. The current study was conducted at Trout Beck, an 11.5 km2 blanket peat-dominated catchment in the North Pennine uplands of the UK. Results from sampling at 33 sites within this catchment demonstrated that the concentrations of all dissolved N species were highly variable, even over short distances. Statistical relationships between the concentrations of NO3-N and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and percentage catchment cover of Calluna/Eriophorum and Eriophorum vegetation were found. However, it was also noted that in catchments containing limestone outcrops, NO3-N concentration was much higher than in catchments where runoff was sourced directly from the blanket peat surface. It is possible that NH4-N and DON leached from the blanket peat are mineralised and nitrified, providing a source for the NO3-N found in the river channels. Overall, the current study suggests that interpretations of N-saturation based on river water chemistry measurements at a single point must be treated cautiously, and that the influence of catchment-scale physical factors, such as vegetation and geology cover on the concentration of dissolved N species in upland river waters should not be ignored.

Impact of Land Drainage on Peatland Hydrology

There is a long history of drainage of blanket peat but few studies of the long-term hydrological impact of drainage. This paper aims to test differences in runoff production processes between intact and drained blanket peat catchments and determine whether there have been any long-term changes in stream flow since drainage occurred. Hillslope runoff processes and stream discharge were measured in four blanket peat catchments. Two catchments were drained with open-cut ditches in the 1950s. Ditching originally resulted in shorter lag times and flashier storm hydrographs but no change in the annual catchment runoff efficiency. In the period between 2002 and 2004, the hydrographs in the drained catchments, while still flashy, were less sensitive to rainfall than in the 1950s and the runoff efficiency had significantly increased. Drains resulted in a distinctive spatial pattern of runoff production across the slopes. Overland flow was significantly lower in the drained catchments where throughflow was more dominant. In the intact peatlands, matrix throughflow produced by peat layers below 10 cm was rare and produced <1% of the runoff. However, in drained peatlands, matrix throughflow in deeper peat layers was common and provided around 23% of the runoff from gauged plots. Macropore flow, the density of soil piping, and pipeflow were significantly greater in drained peatlands than in intact basins. Gradual changes to peat structure could explain the long-term changes in river flow, which are in addition to those occurring in the immediate aftermath of peatland drainage.

Sediment and particulate carbon removal by pipe erosion increase over time in blanket peatlands as a consequence of land drainage

Land drainage is common in peatlands. Artificially drained blanket peat catchments have been shown to have a significantly greater soil pipe density than intact catchments. This paper investigates the role of surface land drains in the enhancement of soil piping in blanket peats. The density of piping was found to significantly increase in a linear fashion with the age of the drainage. Thirty‐five years after drains were cut, slopes would be expected to have twice the density of soil piping than would an undrained blanket peat catchment. The rate of pipe erosion increases exponentially over time, so that particulate carbon loss from subsurface pipes is greatest where drains are oldest.

Drain blocking: An effective treatment for reducing dissolved organic carbon loss and water discolouration in a drained peatland

Peatlands are an important terrestrial carbon store. However, heightened levels of degradation in response to environmental change have resulted in an increased loss of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and an associated rise in the level of discolouration in catchment waters. A significant threat to peatland sustainability has been the installation of artificial drainage ditches. However, recent restoration schemes have pursued drain blocking as a possible strategy for reducing degradation, fluvial carbon loss and water discolouration. This paper investigates the effect of open cut drainage and the impact of drain blocking on DOC and colour dynamics in blanket peat soil–water solutions. Three treatments (intact peat, drained peat and drain-blocked peat) were monitored in an upland blanket peat catchment in the UK. DOC and colour values were significantly higher on the drained slopes compared with those of the intact peat, which in turn had greater DOC and colour values than the drain-blocked slopes. Consequently, drain blocking is shown to be a highly successful technique in reducing both the DOC concentration and level of discolouration in soil waters, even to values lower than those observed for the intact site, which suggests a process of store exhaustion and flushing may operate. The colour per carbon unit (C/C) ratio was significantly higher at the drain-blocked site than either the intact or the drained treatments, while the E4/E6 ratio (fulvic acid/humic acid) was significantly lower at the blocked site compared to the two other treatments. The high C/C and low E4/E6 ratios indicate that drain blocking also modifies the composition of DOC, such that darker-coloured humic substances become more dominant compared to the intact site. This implies disturbance to DOC production and/or transportation processes operating within the peat.