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The importance of in-stream uptake for regulating stream concentrations and outputs of N and P from a forested watershed: evidence from long-term chemistry records for Walker Branch Watershed

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Abstract

Long-term, weekly measurements of streamwater nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the West Fork of Walker Branch, a 1st order forested stream in eastern Tennessee, were used to assess the importance of in-stream processes for controlling stream concentrations and watershed exports. Over the period from 1991 to 2002, there was a slight declining trend in watershed export of dissolved inorganic N via streamflow, despite relatively high and constant wet N deposition rates (5 kg/ha/y). The watershed retains >90% of N deposition inputs. Concentrations of NO3− and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) showed distinct seasonal patterns with autumn and early spring minima and summer maxima. An end-member mixing analysis indicated that these seasonal concentration patterns were largely a result of seasonal variations in in-stream uptake processes, with net uptake of NO3− and SRP having the greatest impact on streamwater concentrations in November (reductions of 29 μg N/l and 2.5 μg P/l, respectively). This was likely a result of high rates of uptake by microbes colonizing new inputs of leaf detritus. For NO3− there was a secondary peak in net uptake in March and April (about 9 μg N/l) resulting from increased uptake by stream algae and bryophytes. Summer was a period of net release of NO3− to streamwater (peaking at 9 μg N/l in July) and minimal net effects on SRP concentrations. On average, in-stream processes resulted in removal of about 20% of the NO3− and 30% of the SRP entering the stream from the catchment annually. This study, as well as other recent work, suggests that in-stream processes are important buffers on stream nutrient concentrations and exports reducing the effects of changes in inputs and retention in terrestrial portions of watersheds.

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  1. Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, 37831-6036, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

    Patrick J. Mulholland

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Disclaimer: The submitted manuscript has been authorized by a contractor of the US Government under contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725. Accordingly, the US retains a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish or reproduce the published form of this contribution, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes.

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Mulholland, P. The importance of in-stream uptake for regulating stream concentrations and outputs of N and P from a forested watershed: evidence from long-term chemistry records for Walker Branch Watershed. Biogeochemistry 70, 403–426 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-004-0364-y

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