Wetland nitrogen dynamics in an Adirondack forested watershed

Wetlands often form the transition zone between upland soils and watershed streams, however, stream–wetland interactions and hydrobiogeochemical processes are poorly understood. We measured changes in stream nitrogen (N) through one riparian wetland and one beaver meadow in the Archer Creek watershed in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, USA from 1 March to 31 July 1996. In the riparian wetland we also measured changes in groundwater N. Groundwater N changed significantly from tension lysimeters at the edge of the peatland to piezometer nests within the peatland. Mean N concentrations at the peatland perimeter were 1·5, 0·5 and 18·6 µmol L^?1 for NH₄⁺, NO₃^? and DON (dissolved organic nitrogen), respectively, whereas peatland groundwater N concentration was 56·9, 1·5 and 31·6 µmol L^?1 for NH₄⁺, NO₃^? and DON, respectively. The mean concentrations of stream water N species at the inlet to the wetlands were 1·5, 10·1 and 16·9 µmol L^?1 for NH₄⁺, NO₃^? and DON, respectively and 1·6, 28·1 and 8·4 µmol L^?1 at the wetland outlet. Although groundwater total dissolved N (TDN) concentrations changed more than stream water TDN through the wetlands, hydrological cross‐sections for the peatland showed that wetland groundwater contributed minimally to stream flow during the study period. Therefore, surface water N chemistry was affected more by in‐stream N transformations than by groundwater N transformations because the in‐stream changes, although small, affected a much greater volume of water. Stream water N input–output budgets indicated that the riparian peatland retained 0·16 mol N ha^?1 day^?1 of total dissolved N and the beaver meadow retained 0·26 mol N ha^?1 day^?1 during the study period. Nitrate dominated surface water TDN flux from the wetlands during the spring whereas DON dominated during the summer. This study demonstrates that although groundwater N changed significantly in the riparian peatland, those changes were not reflected in the stream. Consequently, although in‐stream changes of N concentrations were less marked than those in groundwater, they had a greater effect on stream water chemistry—because wetland groundwater contributed minimally to stream flow. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrologic and biogeochemical controls on the spatial and temporal patterns of nitrogen and phosphorus in the Kuparuk River,arctic Alaska

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics in the Kuparuk River in arctic Alaska were characterized in a 3‐year study using routine samples near the mouth of the river at the Arctic Ocean, synoptic whole‐river surveys, and temporally intense sampling during storms in three headwater basins. The Lower Kuparuk River has low nitrate concentrations (mean [NO₃]‐N] = 17 µg l^?1 ± 1·6 SE) and dissolved inorganic N (DIN, mean [N] = 31 µg l^?1 ± 1·2 SE) compared with rivers in more temperate environments. Organic forms constituted on average 90% of the N exported to the Arctic Ocean, and high ratios of dissolved organic N (DON) to total dissolved N (TDN) concentrations (mean 0·92) likely result from waterlogged soils formed by reduced infiltration due to permafrost and low hydrologic gradients. Annual export of TDN, DON, and particulate N averaged 52 kg km^?2, 48 kg km^?2, and 4·1 kg km^?2 respectively. During snowmelt, the high volume of runoff typically results in the highest nutrient loads of the year, although high discharge during summer storms can result in substantial nutrient loading over short periods of time. Differences in seasonal flow regime (snowmelt versus rain) and storm‐driven variation in discharge appear to be more important for determining nutrient concentrations than is the spatial variation in processes along the transect from headwaters towards the ocean. Both the temporal variation in nitrate:DIN ratios of headwater streams and the spatial variation in nitrate:DIN between larger sub‐basins and smaller headwater catchments is likely controlled by shifts in nitrification and soil anoxia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

蓝藻碎屑分解速率及氮磷释放形态的实验分析

在试验条件下研究了水华蓝藻堆积使叶绿素浓度达到1600μg/L时,水体所含蓝藻形成的碎眉在水中的分解速率及其营养盐释放情况.结果表明:蓝藻碎屑的总氮含量为88.56±4.10mg/g,其在水体中有较高的分解速率,2d内即分解掉41.9％的生物量;蓝藻碎屑磷释放速率要高于氮,但其导致的水体中溶解性总氮浓度的升高则较溶解性...     

崇明岛河网浮游植物和无机、有机氮的时空分布特征

为研究崇明岛河网浮游植物和无机、有机氮的时空分布特征及其相互关系,于2014年1、4、7和10月在崇明岛河网内选取界河、堡镇港、八滧港3条河道9个采样点采集浮游植物和表层水样,并选取崇西水闸作为对照点进行研究.结果表明:河网内浮游植物以绿藻和硅藻为主,其中水闸和堡镇港夏季裸藻生物量所占比例超过50%.八滧港总溶解性氮(TDN)的主要组分是溶解性无机氮,而水闸、界河和堡镇港溶解性有机氮(DON)在TDN中的比例在夏、秋季低于冬、春季,农田土壤释放可能是DON的重要来源.水温、溶解氧和化学需氧量是影响铵态氮浓度变化的重要环境因素.此外,通过冗余分析发现,铵态氮影响绿藻和裸藻分布,尿素影响甲藻分布.     

太湖西北湖区浮游植物和无机、有机氮的时空分布特征

以太湖重度蓝藻水华发生的西北湖区为研究对象,从河口至湖心区设置5个采样点,于2012年10月至2013年10月逐月采集表层水体样品,测定了水温、溶解氧和浮游细菌丰度,并分析了浮游植物群落结构的组成、溶解性无机氮(DIN)和有机氮(DON)浓度以及氮磷比.研究结果表明,太湖西北湖区浮游植物主要由蓝藻、硅藻、绿藻和隐藻组成.可能由于风、浪等混合作用使太湖西北湖区不同采样点之间蓝藻细胞密度没有显著差异.蓝藻生物量在浮游植物中所占比例最高为34%±15%,春季部分点位隐藻生物量高于50%,表明隐藻与蓝藻的相互竞争趋势显著.CCA排序图结果表明,DIN、DON浓度以及总氮∶总磷比(TN∶TP比)是影响西北湖区浮游植物优势属分布的重要环境因子.5个采样点铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)与DIN浓度具有显著差异,与DON浓度没有显著差异.夏季蓝藻水华暴发期间,可能由于蓝藻的吸收利用引起NH_4~+-N和硝态氮(NO_3~--N)浓度迅速降低.此外,由于NH_4~+-N浓度还可能受到沉积物NH_4~+-N释放的影响,因此,蓝藻细胞密度与NO_3~--N的相关系数和显著水平均高于NH_4~+-N.夏季TN∶TP比和DIN∶TP比降至最低,表明该湖区浮游植物,尤其是蓝藻的生长可能受到氮限制.蓝藻细胞密度与DON浓度呈显著负相关,表明在氮限制条件下,DON可能是蓝藻氮素利用的重要补充.     

滇池沉水植物生长过程对间隙水氮、磷时空变化的影响

2015年6-10月通过原位采集滇池沉水植物分布区和无植物对照区柱状沉积物间隙水,分析其溶解性总氮(DTN)和溶解性总磷(DTP)、溶解性无机氮(DIN)和溶解性无机磷(DIP)及溶解性有机氮(DON)和溶解性有机磷(DOP)浓度的时空变化,探讨沉水植物分布对间隙水氮、磷浓度、形态贡献及氮磷比的影响.结果表明:滇池沉水植物生长过程显著影响间隙水氮、磷浓度.与无植物对照区相比,沉水植物生长过程对间隙水氮浓度的削减主要发生在6、8月,而对间隙水磷浓度的削减主要发生在7月,反映了沉水植物对氮、磷两种元素的生物地球化学循环作用机制不同;间隙水氮形态贡献受季节性影响较大,6-7月以DON贡献为主,沉水植物分布区和无植物对照区分别达到61%和84%;而8-10月以DIN贡献为主,沉水植物分布区和无植物对照区分别为76%和75%;沉水植物分布区磷形态贡献随季节波动变化,沉水植物分布区以DOP贡献为主(63%),无植物对照区以DIP贡献为主(62%);沉水植物生长对沉积物间隙水各形态氮磷比影响显著.沉水植物生长显著增加间隙水DTN/DTP比,尤其是DIN/DIP比,相反降低DON/DOP比.沉水植物对间隙水氮、磷吸收及转化过程改变了沉积物氮、磷释放机制,从而影响上覆水氮、磷组成及氮磷比,很可能会影响到浮游植物生长及藻类水华过程,这对于湖泊水质管理具有重要意义.     

Sensitivity of bacterioplankton nitrogen metabolism to eutrophication in sub-tropical coastal waters of Key West, Florida

Expression of intracellular ammonium assimilation enzymes were used to assess the response of nitrogen (N) metabolism in bacterioplankton to N-loading of sub-tropical coastal waters of Key West, Florida. Specific activities of glutamine synthetase (GS) and total glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH_T) were measured on the bacterial size fraction (<0.8 μm) to assess N-deplete versus N-replete metabolic states, respectively. Enzyme results were compared to concentrations of dissolved organic matter and nutrients and to the biomass and production of phytoplankton and bacteria. Concentrations of dissolved inorganic N (DIN), dissolved organic N (DON), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) positively correlated with specific activities of GDH_T and negatively correlated with that of GS. Total dissolved N (TDN) concentration explained 81% of variance in bacterioplankton GDH_T:GS activity ratio. The GDH_T:GS ratio, TDN, DOC, and bacterial parameters decreased in magnitude along a tidally dynamic trophic gradient from north of Key West to south at the reef tract, which is consistent with the combined effects of localized coastal eutrophication and tidal exchange of seawater from the Southwest Florida Shelf and Florida Strait. The N-replete bacterioplankton north of Key West can regenerate ammonium which sustains primary production transported south to the reef. The range in GDH_T:GS ratios was 5–30 times greater than that for commonly used indicators of planktonic eutrophication, which emphasizes the sensitivity of bacterioplankton N-metabolism to changes in N-bioavailability caused by nutrient pollution in sub-tropical coastal waters and utility of GDH_T:GS ratio as an bioindicator of N-replete conditions.     

Sources and fate of nutrients in a subtropical reservoir

This study examined the sources and fate of nutrient inputs from two principal tributaries to the eutrophic subtropical Wivenhoe reservoir: an unregulated river and a dammed river with regular releases, during a period of declining reservoir water levels. Nutrient budgets were constructed over a period of 6 years, and combined with short-term data on nutrient concentrations and forms, and δ¹⁵N stable isotope data. Our study found that over a 6 year period, there was net retention of phosphorus (P) in the reservoir, with 60% of inputs retained. Most of the P input load came from the unregulated river, with an agricultural catchment, during periods of high flow. During one event half of the total TP load from the unregulated river in the study period was delivered in only 12 days. Much of the P was dissolved inorganic P (DIP) and was derived from high P concentrations in soils and sediments. This highlights the importance of appropriate catchment management practices to reduce P losses from terrestrial systems because retention of P in reservoir sediments reduces the availability of this nutrient for agricultural production. In contrast, there was negligible retention of nitrogen (N). The unregulated river was an important source of N derived from N fixation in the river and adjacent soils, while the source from the dammed river was mostly reprocessed N. The high retention of P relative to N is consistent with relatively higher accumulation of P in sediments.     

Nitrogen fluxes in a high elevation colorado rocky mountain basin

Measured, calculated and simulated values were combined to develop an annual nitrogen budget for Loch Vale Watershed (LVWS) in the Colorado Front Range. Nine-year average wet nitrogen deposition values were 1·6 (s=0·36) kg NO₃-N ha⁻¹, and 1·0 (s=0·3) kg NH₄-N ha⁻¹. Assuming dry nitrogen deposition to be half that of measured wet deposition, this high elevation watershed receives 3·9 kg N ha⁻¹. Although deposition values fluctuated with precipitation, measured stream nitrogen outputs were less variable. Of the total N input to the watershed (3·9 kg N ha⁻¹ wet plus dry deposition), 49% of the total N input was immobilized. Stream losses were 2·0 kg N ha⁻¹ (1125 kg measured dissolved inorganic N in 1992, 1–2 kg calculated dissolved organic N, plus an average of 203 kg algal N from the entire 660 ha watershed). Tundra and aquatic algae were the largest reservoirs for incoming N, at approximately 18% and 15% of the total 2574 kg N deposition, respectively. Rocky areas and forest stored the remaining 11% and 5%, respectively. Fully 80% of N losses from the watershed came from the 68% of LVWS that is alpine. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temporal and spatial distributions of nutrients under the influence of human activities in Sishili Bay,northern Yellow Sea of China

The temporal and spatial distributions of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and dissolved reactive silica (DRSi) together with chlorophyll-a, temperature and salinity were analyzed monthly from December 2008 to March 2010 at four zones in Sishili Bay located in the northern Yellow Sea. The nutrient distribution was impacted by seasonal factors (biotic factors, temperature and wet deposition), physical factors (water exchange) and anthropogenic loadings. The seasonal variations of nutrients were mainly determined by the seasonal factors and the spatial distribution of nutrients was mainly related to water exchange. Anthropogenic loadings for DIN, SRP and DRSi were mainly from point sources, but for DON, non-point sources were also important. Nutrient limitation has changed from DIN in 1997 to SRP and DRSi in 2010, and this has resulted in changes in the dominant red tide species from diatom to dinoflagellates.     

江西柘林水库春季浮游藻类、叶绿素a与环境因子的分布、关系及意义

江西柘林水库是长江中游的大型峡谷型旅游性水库,库容79.2×10~8m~3,长115 km.2015年4月在56 km的中心库区走航和定点测量了水库表层水体浮游藻类、叶绿素a(Chl.a)浓度与溶解无机氮(DIN)浓度、溶解无机磷(DIP)浓度、溶解硅(DSi)浓度、水温、浊度和溶解氧浓度等环境因子的分布特征.结果表明:1)水库属于中营养水体,表层主要浮游藻类(细胞丰度1000 cells/L)有34种,平均生物量为0.41 mg/L.主要优势藻类(优势度≥0.02)为硅藻和蓝藻,藻类组成与DIN浓度、DIP浓度、DSi浓度和水温等环境因子关系密切,4种因子对藻类结构的解释水平达60%以上.2)水库水体Chl.a浓度具有显著的次表层叶绿素最大值(SCM)现象,SCM层深度为3~8 m,厚度为2~7 m,SCM层占整个水体的25.2%~74.1%.SCM层的藻类对营养盐吸收消耗致使DIN、DIP和DSi浓度下降,同时藻类的产氧使溶解氧浓度增加.3)水库对DSi具有显著的生物过滤器效应,中、上层约有11%~12%的DSi被生物吸收利用,从上游至下游,累积约有21%的DSi被藻类吸收沉降于库底.4)人类氮、磷排放对水库生态和水质有严重影响,毗邻县城区域水体的Chl.a和DIP浓度分别是自然河段的2.9倍和3倍左右.     

Amounts,forms, and management of nitrogen and phosphorus export from agricultural peatlands

Peatlands provide a setting that is well suited for cranberry agriculture in the Northeastern United States. However, misconceptions exist about the amounts and forms of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) export from cranberry farms. In this study, we report inorganic and organic forms of N and P export from five peatlands cultivated for cranberry production in southeastern, Massachusetts, United States. We then compare N loading rates among cranberry farms in southeastern Massachusetts, row crop farms in the Midwestern United States, and uncultivated peatlands in the United States and United Kingdom. Based on a fluvial mass balance analysis, we find that nonriparian cranberry farms export 2.56 kg of P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹of total P and 12.1 kg of N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹of total N. Total N export from riparian or “flow through” farms is two times higher than nonriparian farms due to less retention of N fertilizer in the vadose zone of riparian farms. Gross total N export from riparian and nonriparian cranberry farms consists of 35% particulate organic N, 26% dissolved organic N, 31% ammonium (NH₄⁺), and 8% nitrate (NO₃⁻). The low proportions of NO₃⁻ export (13% of total dissolved N [TDN]) for cranberry farms differ from NO₃⁻ export for row crop farms (75% of TDN; p < .001) but not for uncultivated peatlands (17% of TDN; p = .61). Despite being highly modified by fertilizers and artificial drainage, low NO₃⁻ export (2.2 kg of N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) from cranberry farms is consistent with field measurements of rapid N turnover in uncultivated peatlands. This finding suggests that state-funded wetland restoration efforts to restore denitrification in retired cranberry farms may be limited by NO₃⁻ rather than soil moisture or organic matter.     

Prediction of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations in deep,seasonally stratified lakes based on rates of DIN input and N removal processes

Mean dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations ([DIN]) in deep, seasonally stratified lakes with comparable DIN inputs can differ by up to a factor of 3 depending on hydraulic and morphometric properties and/or different trophic states of the lakes. In such lakes, net N sedimentation rates were estimated with two independent methods (sediment core analysis and input-output mass balances). They were higher in eutrophic lakes (Mean: 5.1; SD: ± 1.6 g m^–2 yr^–1; n = 13) than in oligotrophic lakes (1.6 ± 1.0 g m^–2 yr^–1; n = 3), but independent of [DIN]. Gaseous N loss rates to the atmosphere, as calculated from combined N- and P-mass balances from selected lakes, ranged from 0.9 to 37.4 g m^–2 yr^–1 (n = 10) and were positively correlated with [DIN]. Reduction of NO ₃ ^- to N₂ is assumed to be the main cause for gaseous N losses. A simple one-box mass balance model for [DIN], based on DIN input and rates and kinetics of N removal processes (net sedimentation and gaseous N loss) is proposed, and validated with a data base on [DIN] and DIN input in 19 deep, seasonally stratified lakes of central Europe. The model illustrated that the amount of water loading per unit surface area of a lake (called water discharge height q) is the critical parameter determining mean lake [DIN] relative to mean input [DIN]. Lakes with a q > 50 m yr^–1 have average [DIN] similar to the [DIN] of the inflows regardless of their trophic states, because input and outflow exceed lake-internal N removal processes. A high primary production favors DIN removal in lakes with q < 50 m yr^–1. It is concluded that measures to decrease primary production, e.g. by means of P removal programs, lead to an increase of [DIN] in lakes.     

Direct measurement of dissolved N2 and denitrification along a subtropical river-estuary gradient,China

The spatial pattern and seasonal variation of denitrification were investigated during 2010–2011 in the Jiulong River Estuary (JRE) in southeast China. Dissolved N₂ was directly measured by changes in the N₂:Ar ratio. The results showed that excess dissolved N₂ ranged from ?9.9 to 76.4 μmol L^?1. Tidal mixing leads to a seaward decline of dissolved gaseous concentrations and water–air fluxes along the river-estuary gradient. Denitrification at freshwater sites varied between seasons, associated with changes in N input and water temperature. The denitrification process was controlled by the nitrate level at freshwater sites, and the excess dissolved N₂ observed at the tidal zone largely originated from upstream water transport. Compared to other estuaries, JRE has a relative low gaseous removal efficiency (E_d = 12% of [DIN]; annual N removal = 24% of DIN load), a fact ascribed to strong tidal mixing, coarse-textured sediment with shallow depth before bedrock and high riverine DIN input.     

The composition of nutrient fluxes from contrasting UK river basins

Accurate estimates of N and P loads were obtained for four contrasting UK river basins over a complete annual cycle. The fractionation of these loads into dissolved and particulate, and inorganic and organic components allowed a detailed examination of the nutrient load composition and of the factors influencing both the relative and absolute magnitude of these components. The particulate phosphorus (TPP) loads account for 26–75% of the annual total phosphorus (TP) transport and are predominantly inorganic. The inorganic (PIP) and organic (POP) fractions of the TPP loads represent 20–47% and 6–28% of the annual TP transport, respectively. In contrast, the particulate nitrogen loads (TPN) represent 8% or less of the annual total nitrogen (TN) loads and are predominately organic. For dissolved P transport, the dissolved inorganic fraction (DIP) is more important, representing 15–70% of the TP loads, whereas the dissolved organic fraction (DOP) represents only 3–9% of the TP loads. The TN loads are dominated by the dissolved component and more particularly the total oxidized fraction (TON), which is composed of nitrate and nitrite and represents 76–82% of the annual TN transport. The remaining dissolved N species, ammonium (NH₄-N) and organic N (DON) account for 0·3–1·2% and 13–16% of the annual TN transport, respectively. The TPN and TPP fluxes closely reflect the suspended sediment dynamics of the study basins, which are in turn controlled by basin size and morphology. The dissolved inorganic nutrient fluxes are influenced by point source inputs to the study basins, especially for P, although the TON flux is primarily influenced by diffuse source contributions and the hydrological connectivity between the river and its catchment area. The dissolved organic fractions are closely related to the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics, which are in turn influenced by land use and basin size. The magnitude of the NH₄-N fraction was dependent on the proximity of the monitoring station to point source discharges, because of rapid nitrification within the water column. However, during storm events, desorption from suspended sediment may be temporarily important. Both the magnitude and relative contribution of the different nutrient fractions exhibit significant seasonal variability in response to the hydrological regime, sediment mobilization, the degree of dilution of point source inputs and biological processes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

河流营养物质输入及结构变化对河口富营养化潜力的影响

河口是连接陆地-海洋的一个关键区域,具有重要的生态系统服务价值。然而,随着经济快速发展,河口接纳了越来越多来自于流域等地的营养物质,导致河口生态系统的富营养化潜力大大增加。本研究利用沿海富营养化潜力指数(index of coastal eutrophication potential,ICEP)量化河流输入对九龙江河口所产生的影响,特别是对富营养化指标的年度和季节性变化动态进行了分析。结果表明,九龙江河口区溶解性无机氮(DIN)和溶解性无机磷(DIP)浓度年均值均呈波动性增长,自1980s以来九龙江河口营养负荷发生了较显著变化,1980s—2006年期间DIN通量平均值为3.967×10³ t/a,而2006—2020年期间增加到2.924×10⁴ t/a,增长了637.14%,其中最高值达8.279×10⁴ t/a。两个时期DIP通量平均值分别为1.131×10²和2.282×10² t/a,增长了101.87%,其中最高值达6.128×10² t/a...     

Contrasts among macrophyte riparian species in their use of stream water nitrate and ammonium: insights from 15N natural abundance

We examined the relevance of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) forms (nitrate and ammonium) in stream water as N sources for different macrophyte species. To do this, we investigated the variability and relationships between ¹⁵N natural abundance of DIN forms and of four different macrophyte species in five different streams influenced by inputs from wastewater treatment plants and over time within one of these streams. Results showed that ¹⁵N signatures were similar in species of submersed and amphibious macrophytes and in stream water DIN, whereas ¹⁵N signatures of the riparian species were not. ¹⁵N signatures of macrophytes were generally closer to ¹⁵N signatures of nitrate, regardless of the species considered. Our results showed significant relationships between ¹⁵N signatures of DIN and those of submersed Callitriche stagnalis and amphibious Veronica beccabunga and Apium nodiflorum, suggesting stream water DIN as a relevant N source for these two functional groups. Moreover, results from a mixing model suggested that stream water DIN taken up by the submersed and amphibious species was mostly in the form of nitrate. Together, these results suggest different contribution to in-stream N uptake among the spatially-segregated species of macrophytes. While submersed and amphibious species can contribute to in-stream N uptake by assimilation of DIN, macrophyte species located at stream channel edges do not seem to rely on stream water DIN as an N source. Ultimately, these results add a functional dimension to the current use of macrophytes for the restoration of stream channel morphology, indicating that they can also contribute to reduce excess DIN in streams.     

Rainfall partitioning through a mixed cedar swamp and associated C and N fluxes in Southern Ontario,Canada

Partitioning of rainfall through a forest canopy into throughfall, stemflow, and canopy interception is a critical process in the water cycle, and the contact of precipitation with vegetated surfaces leads to increased delivery of solutes to the forest floor. This study investigates the rainfall partitioning over a growing season through a temperate, riparian, mixed coniferous‐deciduous cedar swamp, an ecosystem not well studied with respect to this process. Seasonal throughfall, stemflow, and interception were 69.2%, 1.5%, and 29.3% of recorded above‐canopy precipitation, respectively. Event throughfall ranged from a low of 31.5 ± 6.8% for a small 0.8‐mm event to a high of 82.9 ± 2.4% for a large 42.7‐mm event. Rain fluxes of at least 8 mm were needed to generate stemflow from all instrumented trees. Most trees had funnelling ratios <1.0, with an exponential decrease in funnelling ratio with increasing tree size. Despite this, stand‐scale funnelling ratios averaged 2.81 ± 1.73, indicating equivalent depth of water delivered across the swamp floor by stemflow was greater than incident precipitation. Throughfall dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) averaged 26.60 ± 2.96 and 2.02 ± 0.16 mg L^?1, respectively, which were ~11 and three times above‐canopy rain levels. Stemflow DOC averaged 73.33 ± 7.43 mg L^?1, 35 times higher than precipitation, and TDN was 4.45 ± 0.56 mg L^?1, 7.5 times higher than rain. Stemflow DOC concentration was highest from Populus balsamifera and TDN greatest from Thuja occidentalis trees. Although total below‐canopy flux of TDN increased with increasing event size, DOC flux was greatest for events 20–30 mm, suggesting a canopy storage threshold of DOC was readily diluted. In addition to documenting rainfall partitioning in a novel ecosystem, this study demonstrates the excess carbon and nitrogen delivered to riparian swamps, suggesting the assimilative capacity of these zones may be underestimated.     

Modelling the relative impact of rivers (Scheldt/Rhine/Seine) and Western Channel waters on the nutrient and diatoms/Phaeocystis distributions in Belgian waters (Southern North Sea)

The coastal areas of the Southern North Sea (SNS) experience eutrophication problems resulting from freshwater nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs from rivers. In particular, massive blooms of Phaeocystis colonies occur in Belgian waters. In this region, water masses result from the mixing of Western Channel (WCH) waters transported through the Straits of Dover with nutrient-rich freshwater from the Scheldt, the Rhine and Meuse, the Seine, the Thames and other smaller rivers. However, the relative contribution of the WCH and each river to the inorganic nutrient pool and the impact on the phytoplankton community structure (diatoms and Phaeocystis) are not known. In order to effectively manage the eutrophication problems, it is necessary to know: (i) the relative contribution of the WCH and of each river impacting the region and (ii) the relative effect of a N and/or P nutrient reduction on the Phaeocystis blooms. To answer these questions, sensitivity tests (1% nutrient reduction) and nutrient reduction scenarios (50% nutrient reduction) have been performed with a three-dimensional (3D) coupled physical–biogeochemical model (MIRO&CO-3D).MIRO&CO-3D results from the coupling of the COHERENS 3D hydrodynamic model with the ecological model MIRO. The model has been set up for the region between 48.5°N, 4°W and 52.5°N, 4.5°E and run to simulate the annual cycle of carbon, inorganic and organic nutrients, phytoplankton (diatoms and Phaeocystis), bacteria and zooplankton (microzooplankton and copepods) in the SNS under realistic forcing (meteorology and river inputs) for the period 1991–2003. The relative contribution of the WCH waters and of the different rivers on the inorganic nutrient pool available for phytoplankton (diatoms and Phaeocystis) growth is assessed by decreasing by 1% the nutrient (dissolved inorganic nitrogen, DIN and inorganic phosphate, PO₄) inputs from the WCH and from, respectively, the Scheldt (and smaller Belgian rivers), the Rhine/Meuse and the Seine (and smaller French rivers) [sensitivity tests]. The relative role of N and P reduction on the diatoms/Phaeocystis distribution is further explored by simulations with 50% reduction of the total (inorganic and organic) N and total P river inputs [nutrient reduction scenarios]. These scenarios allow assessing the impact of the expected 50% reduction of river nutrient inputs resulting from the implementation of nutrient reduction policy.Results of the sensitivity tests suggest that the impact of a 1% reduction of river nutrient inputs on surface nutrients (DIN and PO₄) over the Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area is similar for the Seine and the Scheldt, which are in turn greater than for the Rhine. However, a hypothetical 1% reduction of nutrient input from the WCH boundary would have a higher impact than for the Scheldt. The impact of nutrient reduction is higher for DIN than for PO₄ whatever the river (contrary to the WCH). DIN is more sensitive to riverine nutrient reduction because the rivers are over enriched in DIN compared to PO₄. The sensitivity tests suggest also that a PO₄ river input reduction would result in a N:P increase and a DIN river input reduction would result in a N:P decrease but that a combined (PO₄ and DIN) input reduction would reduce the N:P ratio at sea.From 50% nutrient reduction scenarios, model results suggest that a total P reduction would induce a significant decrease of diatoms and a small (coast) to negligible (offshore) decrease of Phaeocystis biomass. On the contrary, a total N reduction would induce a significant decrease of Phaeocystis biomass and a moderate increase of diatoms. When N and P river input reductions are combined, the model predicts a significant decrease of Phaeocystis biomass in Belgian waters and a significant decrease of diatom biomass in the coastal waters and a small increase offshore. A future management plan aiming at Phaeocystis reduction should thus prioritise N reduction.     

Searching for similarity in topographic controls on carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus export from forested headwater catchments

Topography influences hydrological processes that in turn affect biogeochemical export to surface water on forested landscapes. The differences in long‐term average annual dissolved organic carbon (DOC), organic and inorganic nitrogen [NO₃^?‐N, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON)], and phosphorus (total dissolved phosphorus, TDP) export from catchments in the Algoma Highlands of Ontario, Canada, with similar climate, geology, forest and soil were established. Topographic indicators were designed to represent topographically regulated hydrological processes that influence nutrient export, including (1) hydrological storage potential (i.e. effects of topographic flats/depressions on water storage) and (2) hydrological flushing potential (i.e. effects of topographic slopes on potential for variable source area to expand and tap into previously untapped areas). Variations in NO₃^?‐N export among catchments could be explained by indicators representing both hydrological flushing potential (91%, p < 0.001) and hydrological storage potential (65%, p < 0.001), suggesting the importance of hydrological flushing in regulating NO₃^?‐N export as well as surface saturated areas in intercepting NO₃^?‐N‐loaded runoff. In contrast, hydrological storage potential explained the majority of variations among catchments in DON (69%, p < 0.001), DOC (94%, p < 0.001) and TDP (82%, p < 0.001) export. The lower explanatory power of DON (about 15% less) compared with that of DOC and TDP suggests another mechanism influencing N export, such as controls related to alternative fates of nitrogen (e.g. as gas). This study shows that simple topographic indicators can be used to track nutrient sources, sinks and their transport and export to surface water from catchments on forest landscapes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.