Nitrogen retention in a floodplain backwater of the upper Mississippi River (USA)

Backwaters connected to large rivers retain nitrate and may play an important role in reducing downstream loading to coastal marine environments. A summer nitrogen (N) inflow-outflow budget was examined for a flow-regulated backwater of the upper Mississippi River in conjunction with laboratory estimates of sediment ammonium and nitrate fluxes, organic N mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification to provide further insight into N retention processes. External N loading was overwhelmingly dominated by nitrate and 54% of the input was retained (137 mg m⁻² day⁻¹). Ammonium and dissolved organic N were exported from the backwater (14 and 9 mg m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively). Nitrate influx to sediment increased as a function of increasing initial nitrate concentration in the overlying water. Rates were greater under anoxic versus oxic conditions. Ammonium effluxes from sediment were 26.7 and 50.6 mg m⁻² day⁻¹ under oxic and anoxic conditions, respectively. Since anoxia inhibited nitrification, the difference between ammonium anoxic–oxic fluxes approximated a nitrification rate of 29.1 mg m⁻² day⁻¹. Organic N mineralization was 64 mg m⁻² day⁻¹. Denitrification, estimated from regression relationships between oxic nitrate influx versus initial nitrate concentration and a summer lakewide mean nitrate concentration of 1.27 mg l⁻¹, was 94 mg m⁻² day⁻¹. Denitrification was equivalent to only 57% of the retained nitrate, suggesting that another portion was assimilated by biota. The high sediment organic N mineralization and ammonium efflux rate coupled with the occurrence of ammonium export from the system suggested a possible link between biotic assimilation of nitrate, mineralization, and export.     

Vertical hydraulic exchange and the contribution of hyporheic community respiration to whole ecosystem respiration in the River Lahn (Germany)

To quantify the contribution of hyporheic community respiration to whole running-water ecosystem respiration in a cultural landscape setting, we studied the vertical hydraulic exchange in riffle–pool sequences of the River Lahn (Germany). We used flow through curves from four tracer experiments to estimate flow velocities in the surface and subsurface water. Generally, vertical exchange velocities were higher in riffle sections and a high temporal variability was observed (range of values 0.11–1.08 m day⁻¹). We then used (1) the exchange velocities and (2) time series of dissolved oxygen concentration in surface and subsurface water to calculate hyporheic respiration. Hyporheic respiration was estimated in a range of 10–50 mg O₂ m⁻³ day⁻¹ for the upper sediment layer (first 20 cm). It was much lower in the deeper sediment layer (20–40 cm), ranging from 0 to 10 mg O₂ m⁻³ day⁻¹ (volumes are volumes of interstitial water; the average porosity was 20%). We determined primary production and respiration of the biofilm growing on the sediment by modelling dissolved oxygen concentration time series for a 2,450 m long stream reach (dissolved oxygen concentrations with diurnal variations from 8 to 16 mg L⁻¹). Modelled respiration rates ranged from 2 to 21 g O₂ m² day⁻¹. All information was integrated in a system analysis with numerical simulations of respiration with and without sediments. Results indicated that hyporheic respiration accounted for 6 to 14% of whole ecosystem respiration. These values are much lower than in other whole system respiration studies on more oligotrophic river systems.     

Comparisons of wetland and drainage lake influences on stream dissolved carbon concentrations and yields in a north temperate lake-rich region

Processes occurring at various scales interact to influence the export of organic carbon from watersheds to freshwater ecosystems and eventually the ocean. The goal of this study was to determine if and how differences in wetland extent and presence of lakes influenced dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and yields in streams. We monitored stream flow, DOC and dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations periodically for 2 years at four sites with forested watersheds, four sites with wetland watersheds, and four sites with wetland watersheds that also contained in-network lakes. As expected, the presence of wetlands resulted in higher DOC concentrations and yields, but the impact of lakes was less clear on the magnitude of DOC concentrations and yields. With respect to temporal dynamics, we found positive relationships between stream flow and DOC concentration (median r² = 0.89) in streams without upstream lakes. The relationships for forested sites are among the strongest reported in the literature, and suggest a clear shift in hydrologic flowpath from intersecting mineral soils at low flow, to organic soils at high flow. In streams with upstream lakes, the relationship between flow and concentration was non-significant for three of four sites unless time lags with flow were applied to the concentration data, after which the relationship was similar to the non-lake streams (median r² = 0.95). These findings suggest that lakes buffering temporal patterns in streams by hydrologically delaying pulses of carbon, but provide little support that in-line lakes have a net effect on carbon exports in this region.     

Crustacean zooplankton sedimentary remains from calcium-poor lakes: complex responses to threshold concentrations

Declines in lakewater calcium (Ca) concentrations are occurring in many softwater lakes of the Canadian Shield, and likely elsewhere, and there is growing interest regarding the potential impacts that reduced Ca availability may have on aquatic ecosystems. Here, we test the hypotheses that the Ca limitations of Daphnia pulex (reduced growth/survival when Ca <1.5 mg L⁻¹) identified in laboratory analyses and paleolimnological case studies can be observed among cladoceran assemblages from surface sediments along a narrow Ca gradient (1–3 mg L⁻¹), and also whether the impacts of low Ca concentrations can be distinguished from those of low lakewater pH. Significant differences among daphniid communities were observed across the 1.5 mg L⁻¹ Ca threshold; however, these differences did not extend to the broader cladoceran community and considerable variability in Ca tolerance was observed within the D. pulex species complex. Of the measured environmental variables, only pH and lake depth explained a significant amount of variation among the entire cladoceran community, although when enlarging the dataset to extend the Ca and pH ranges, Ca replaced pH as a significant explanatory variable. Our data adds support to our previous observations that, within the cladoceran community, daphniids are the most responsive to Ca decline, however responses differ within daphniid species complexes and Ca thresholds under natural conditions may be higher for some species than their laboratory-identified values.     

The relationship between dissolved organic carbon in stream water and soil organic carbon pools at different spatial scales

The relationship between stream water DOC concentrations and soil organic C pools was investigated at a range of spatial scales in subcatchments of the River Dee system in north‐east Scotland. Catchment percentage peat cover and soil C pools, calculated using local, national and international soils databases, were related to mean DOC concentrations in streams draining small‐ (<5 km²), medium‐ (12–38 km²) and large‐scale (56–150 km²) catchments. The results show that, whilst soil C pool is a good predictor of stream water DOC concentration at all three scales, the strongest relationships were found in the small‐scale catchments. In addition, in both the small‐ and large‐scale catchments, percentage peat cover was as a good predictor of stream water DOC concentration as catchment soil C pool. The data also showed that, for a given soil C pool, streams draining lowland (<700 m) catchments had higher DOC concentrations than those draining upland (>700 m) catchments, suggesting that disturbance and land use may have a small effect on DOC concentration. Our results therefore suggest that the relationship between stream water DOC concentration and catchment soil C pools exists at a range of spatial scales and this relationship appears to be sufficiently robust to be used to predict the effects of changes in catchment soil C storage on stream water DOC concentration. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrogen uptake and denitrification in restored and unrestored streams in urban Maryland, USA

There is growing interest in rates of nitrate uptake and denitrification in restored streams to better understand the effects of restoration on nitrogen processing. This study quantified nitrate uptake in two restored and two unrestored streams in Baltimore, Maryland, USA using nitrate additions, denitrification enzyme assays, and a ¹⁵N isotope tracer addition in one of the urban restored streams, Minebank Run. Restoration included either incorporation of stormwater ponds below a storm drain and catch basins to attenuate flow or hydrologic “reconnection” of a stream channel to its floodplain. Stream restoration was conducted for restoring aging sanitary and bridge infrastructure and introducing some stormwater management in watersheds developed prior to current regulations. Denitrification potential in sediments was variable across streams, whereas nitrate uptake length appeared to be significantly correlated to surface water velocity, which was low in the restored streams during summer baseflow conditions. Uptake length of NO₃ ⁻–N in Minebank Run estimated by ¹⁵N tracer addition was 556 m. Whole stream denitrification rates in Minebank Run were 153 mg NO₃ ⁻–N m⁻² day⁻¹, and approximately 40% of the daily load of nitrate was estimated to be removed via denitrification over a distance of 220.5 m in a stream reach designed to be hydrologically “connected” to its floodplain. Increased hydrologic residence time in Minebank Run during baseflow likely influenced rates of whole stream denitrification, suggesting that hydrologic residence time may be a key factor influencing N uptake and denitrification. Restoration approaches that increase hydrologic “connectivity” with hyporheic sediments and increase hydrologic residence time may be useful for stimulating denitrification. More work is necessary, however, to examine changes in denitrification rates in restored streams across different seasons, variable N loads, and in response to the “flashy” hydrologic flow conditions during storms common in urban streams.     

Diel variation of dissolved organic carbon during large flow events in a lowland river

Diel variation in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) within lotic systems has been reported on numerous occasions. However, to our knowledge there has been no published work on diel DOC variation within lowland rivers during high flow events. We sampled DOC at 4 h intervals from two sites across two distinct flow regimes in the regulated lower Namoi River, Australia. This included a large flood (mean flow 224 m³ s⁻¹ and a peak flow of 376 m³ s⁻¹) sampled every 4 h for 10 consecutive days. DOC concentrations were significantly greater at night than during the day (P < 0.05) and the mean DOC concentration was 23.4 mg L⁻¹ at night compared to 18.9 mg L⁻¹ during daylight hours. The magnitude and duration of flow within this lowland river system and the mobilisation of large quantities of allochthonous carbon appeared to play a role in increasing DOC concentration and the diel difference.     

Dynamics and sources of dissolved organic carbon during phytoplankton bloom in hypereutrophic Lake Taihu (China)

To establish the influence of phytoplankton blooms on the dynamics and sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in Lake Taihu, the concentrations and stable carbon isotope values (δ¹³C) of DOC and particulate organic carbon (POC) were analyzed, along with environmental factors, including water temperature, chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration, phytoplankton community and total bacterial abundance, from March to August 2013 at five sites in Lake Taihu. Significant differences were observed in the DOC concentrations and δ¹³C_DOC values at the sampling sites. On average, the proportion of DOC in the total organic carbon (TOC) pool ranged from 30% ± 10% to 81% ± 7%. POC was positively associated with both Chl a concentration and cyanobacteria biomass, suggesting that cyanobacteria blooms contribute to the POC pool in Lake Taihu. Depleted ¹³C in DOC relative to POC was observed in August, indicating that DOC was partially derived from POC in August. However, Chl a explained only 40% of the variation in DOC in the entirety of Lake Taihu, and at two sites far from the estuary, the contribution of allochthonous carbon was less than 50% in August. These results suggested a greater influence of allochthonous sources on the DOC pool. Moreover, the biodegradability of DOC was further determined by the total dissolved carbohydrates to DOC ratio (TCHO/DOC), specific UV absorbance (SUVA₂₅₄), and the concentrations of bioavailable DOC (BDOC). On average, 17% of the variation in DOC was attributable to the BDOC pool, and the BDOC concentration correlated positively with Chl a, cyanobacteria biomass, and total bacterial abundance, suggesting that cyanobacteria–derived DOC is biodegradable and is preferentially utilized by bacteria.     

Nutrient flux, uptake, and transformation in a spring-fed stream in the Missouri Ozarks, USA

We examined nutrient flux, uptake, and transformation along a spring-fed stream in the Ozark region of Missouri, USA, over the year 2006. Water in Mill Creek originates from several springs, with a single spring contributing over 90% of the stream discharge during much of the year of study. Soluble reactive phosphate concentrations were usually low (<10 μg L⁻¹) along Mill Creek, but peaked during high discharge. Concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were relatively high in the spring water, mainly as nitrate, but usually declined across a small pond and the 10-km length of Mill Creek. During low flows in summer and early autumn, the stream removed over 300 μg L⁻¹ of DIN over its 10-km length, or about 80% of the initial amount. DIN retention along the stream, as a percentage of the DIN upstream, was related mainly to discharge, with higher flows having much higher DIN concentrations. The net uptake rate of DIN uptake was 0.91 μg m⁻² s⁻¹ in the stream during summer baseflow. The uptake rate declined downstream for different reaches and was closely related to DIN concentration. In experimental channels, uptake by epilithic algae was one significant sink for nitrate-N in Mill Creek. In 2006, inorganic nutrient export during a single day after a spring storm was similar to export during 40–100 days of low flow conditions in summer and early autumn. Our results suggest that significant nutrient retention can occur during baseflow periods via biological uptake, whereas substantial export occurs during high flow conditions.     

Effects of suspended sediments from reservoir flushing on fish and macroinvertebrates in an alpine stream

The downstream ecological consequences of two controlled “free flow” flushing operations designed to remove sediments accumulated in an alpine reservoir are described. The main objectives of the study were (a) to verify to what extent the suspended solid concentration (SSC) in the receiving water course can be controlled by flushing operations, (b) to determine the biological consequences of flushing operations, and (c) to produce technical guidelines for the future planning and monitoring of these activities. We found that the flushing of large volumes of accumulated sediment had clear effects on the stream ecosystem due to the unpredictability of short duration SSC peaks (70–80 g L⁻¹) and the high average SSC (4–5 g L⁻¹) within flushing periods. The main impacts were decreased fish densities (up to 73%) and biomass (up to 66%). A greater mortality recorded for juveniles will likely result in long-term impairment of the age-structures of future fish populations. The zoobenthic assemblages, despite exhibiting a drastic reduction in abundance following the first floods, showed substantial recovery within 3 months of the beginning of flushing operations. Regular sediment removal by yearly flushing is recommended in order to avoid SSC peaks and to facilitate the control of scouring effects caused by the water used to wash out sediments. We also recommend maximum allowable SSCs of 10 g L⁻¹ (daily average) and 5 g L⁻¹ (overall average) for flushing operations carried out in similar environmental contexts.     

Variation in transparent exopolymer particles in relation to biological and chemical factors in two contrasting lake districts

In inland waters, transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) can affect carbon export and sequestration in sediments with consequences for lake C budgets. We measured TEP concentration in 32 lakes from two contrasting lake districts covering wide ranges in biological and chemical characteristics. North temperate lakes, located in a wet region, have low to moderate ionic strength and low to high dissolved organic carbon with corresponding variation in color (light absorbance). Mediterranean lakes located in a semiarid region were characterized by high ionic strength and high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon but low color. TEP concentrations were large relative to the living portion of the particulate organic carbon pool in both Mediterranean (36%) and north temperate (33%) lakes. TEP concentrations ranged from 36 to 1,462 μg [as Gum Xanthan equivalents (GX eq)] L⁻¹ in north temperate lakes. In the Mediterranean lakes, concentrations were higher that previously reported for other systems and ranged from 66 to 9,038 μg GX eq L⁻¹. TEP concentration was positive and significantly related to chlorophyll a (chl a) in north temperate lakes and in the entire data set. Although a significant and positive relationship between TEP and chl a was also detected in the Mediterranean lakes, bacterial abundance was most strongly related to TEP. In contrast with the positive influence of phytoplankton and bacteria on TEP, there were weaker relationships between TEP and the chemical variables tested. We observed a significant and positive relationship between pH and TEP (for all lakes) but this relationship was indirectly driven by a co-variation of pH with phytoplankton biomass based on multiple regression analysis. For the Mediterranean lakes, the negative (but not significant) trends between TEP and both conductivity and divalent cations suggest thresholds above which TEP will likely be destabilized. Under these conditions, TEP may flocculate or disperse in the water column.     

Assessing the spatial and temporal variability of dissolved organic matter in Liverpool Bay using excitation–emission matrix fluorescence and parallel factor analysis

The spatial and diurnal tidal variability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and the composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM), as evaluated by high-temperature catalytic oxidation and excitation–emission matrix combined with parallel factor analysis (EEM–PARAFAC), respectively, were determined in Liverpool Bay. EEM–PARAFAC modeling resulted in six fluorescent components characterized as terrestrial humic-like (two), microbial humic-like (two), and protein-like (two). The spatial distributions of DOC and the four humic-like components were negatively correlated with salinity in the high-salinity waters observed in this study (30.41–33.75), suggesting that terrestrial DOM was conservatively distributed. The spatial patterns of protein-like components were largely different from those of DOC, humic-like components, and chlorophyll a, suggesting that these distributions were the combined result of production and degradation in the bay in addition to river inputs. These findings suggest that the DOM dynamics in Liverpool Bay are strongly controlled by river-dominated allochthonous DOM inputs with some less significant contributions of autochthonous DOM within the bay. In addition, the temporal variations of DOM associated with the diurnal tidal cycles were determined at one inshore (31.34–32.24 salinity) and one offshore (33.64–33.75 salinity) station in the bay. Negative linear relationships between salinity and DOM characteristics, i.e., DOC, humic-like, and protein-like components, were observed at the inshore station. In contrast, no relationship was observed at the offshore station, suggesting that the export of DOM through rivers and possibly tidal flats have a noticeable influence on DOM concentration and composition up to a relatively elevated salinity of around 33 in Liverpool Bay.     

Sedimentary inputs and oxygen uptake by the sediment in Lake Geneva (Switzerland)

Sediment cores and sediment traps were collected twice a month in two 35 m deep stations of Lake Geneva (Switzerland). The organic input sedimenting to the bottom is equal to 157 g C m⁻²y⁻¹ in station 1, to 214 g C in station 2. In spite of this difference, the oxygen uptake by the sediment (OUS) is similar in both locations (46–47 g C m⁻²y⁻¹). The oxygen uptake by the matter sedimenting to the bottom (OUSM) is respectively 45 g C m⁻²y⁻¹ and 41 g C in stations 1 and 2. The equivalence between OUS and OUSM implies that most of the sedimented matter arriving to the bottom is directly oxidized at the sediment surface. In station 1, OUS is positively correlated to OUSM, and OUSM is positively correlated to chlorophyll-a concentrations in the water column (0–20 m) one week before sediment sampling. In location 2, OUS is positively correlated to the percentage of organic carbon and nitrogen in the sedimented matter, negatively to its C:N ratio. Increasing allochthonous inputs have a negative influence on benthic respiration. At both sites, OUS is not directly related to macrobenthic biomass or to temperature of bottom water.     

Effects of instream processes,discharge, and land cover on nitrogen export from southern Appalachian Mountain catchments

Catchments with minimal disturbance usually have low dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) export, but disturbances and anthropogenic inputs result in elevated DIN concentration and export and eutrophication of downstream ecosystems. We studied streams in the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA, an area dominated by hardwood deciduous forest but with areas of valley agriculture and increasing residential development. We collected weekly grab samples and storm samples from nine small catchments and three river sites. Most discharge occurred at baseflow, with baseflow indices ranging from 69% to 95%. We identified three seasonal patterns of baseflow DIN concentration. Streams in mostly forested catchments had low DIN with bimodal peaks, and summer peaks were greater than winter peaks. Streams with more agriculture and development also had bimodal peaks; however, winter peaks were the highest. In streams draining catchments with more residential development, DIN concentration had a single peak, greatest in winter and lowest in summer. Three methods for estimating DIN export produced consistent results. Annual DIN export ranged from less than 200 g ha^?1 year^?1 for the less disturbed catchments to over 2,000 g ha^?1 year^?1 in the catchments with the least forest area. Land cover was a strong predictor of DIN concentration but less significant for predicting DIN export. The two forested reference catchments appeared supply limited, the most residential catchment appeared transport limited, and export for the other catchments was significantly related to discharge. In all streams, baseflow DIN export exceeded stormflow export. Morphological and climatological variation among watersheds created complexities unexplainable by land cover. Nevertheless, regression models developed using land cover data from the small catchments reasonably predicted concentration and export for receiving rivers. Our results illustrate the complexity of mechanisms involved in DIN export in a region with a mosaic of climate, geology, topography, soils, vegetation, and past and present land use.