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Enriched Groundwater Seeps in Two Vermont Headwater Catchments are Hotspots of Nitrate Turnover

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Abstract

Groundwater seeps in upland catchments are often enriched relative to stream waters, higher in pH, Ca2+ and sometimes NO3¯. These seeps could be a NO3¯ sink because of increased denitrification potential but may also be ‘hotspots’ for nitrification because of the relative enrichment. We compared seep soils with nearby well-drained soils in two upland forested watersheds in Vermont that are sites of ongoing biogeochemical studies. Gross N transformation rates were measured over three years along with denitrification rates in the third year. Gross ammonification rates were not different between the seep and upland soils but gross nitrification rates were about 3 × higher in the seep soils. Net nitrification rates trended higher in the upland soils and NO3¯ consumption (gross—net) was 8 times higher in the seep soils. The average denitrification rate for seep soils was about equal to the difference in NO3¯ consumption between seep and upland soils, suggesting denitrification can make up the difference. Temporal variation in seep water NO3¯ concentration was correlated with watershed outlet NO3¯ concentration. However, it is not clear that in-seep processes greatly altered seep water NO3¯ contribution to the streams. Seep soils appear to be hotspots of both nitrification and denitrification.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Northern States Research Cooperative (United States Department of Agriculture award 02CA11242343110) and United States Department of Agriculture Hatch funds (VT-PS-00912). Stew Clark, Ann Chalmers, and Jon Denner helped with sampling and site logistics at SRRW. Statistical consultation was provided by Alan Howard, IT Specialist, UVM Statistical Software Support and Consulting Services. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA

    Amninder J. Kaur & Donald S. Ross

  2. United States Geological Survey, P.O. Box 628, Montpelier, VT, 05601, USA

    James B. Shanley

  3. 131 Lost Nation Road, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, USA

    Anna R. Yatzor

Authors
  1. Amninder J. Kaur
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  2. Donald S. Ross
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  3. James B. Shanley
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  4. Anna R. Yatzor
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Correspondence to Donald S. Ross.

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Kaur, A.J., Ross, D.S., Shanley, J.B. et al. Enriched Groundwater Seeps in Two Vermont Headwater Catchments are Hotspots of Nitrate Turnover. Wetlands 36, 237–249 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-016-0733-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-016-0733-z

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