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Changes in the character of DOC in streams during storms in two Midwestern watersheds with contrasting land uses

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Abstract

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics in streams is important, yet few studies focus on DOC dynamics in Midwestern streams during storms. In this study, stream DOC dynamics during storms in two Midwestern watersheds with contrasting land uses, the change in character of stream DOC during storms, and the usability of DOC as a hydrologic tracer in artificially drained landscapes of the Midwest are investigated. Major cation/DOC concentrations, and DOC specific UV absorbance (SUVA) and fluorescence index (FI) were monitored at 2–4 h intervals during three spring storms. Although DOC is less aromatic in the mixed land use watershed than in the agricultural watershed, land use has little impact on stream DOC concentration during storms. For both watersheds, DOC concentration follows discharge, and SUVA and FI values indicate an increase in stream DOC aromaticity and lignin content during storms. The comparison of DOC/major cation flushing dynamics indicates that DOC is mainly exported via overland flow/macropore flow. In both watersheds, the increase in DOC concentration in the streams during storms corresponds to a shift in the source of DOC from DOC originating from mineral soil layers of the soil profile at baseflow, to DOC originating from surficial soil layers richer in aromatic substances and lignin during storms. Results also suggest that DOC, SUVA and FI could be used as hydrologic tracers in artificially drained landscapes of the Midwest. These results underscore the importance of sampling streams for DOC during high flow periods in order to understand the fate of DOC in streams.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a Central Indiana Water Resources Partnership (C.I.W.R.P.) grant to Dr. Vidon and a C.I.W.R.P. Fellowship to L. E. Wagner. The C.I.W.R.P. is a research and development program between Veolia Water Indianapolis LLC and the Center for Earth and Environmental Science (C.E.E.S.) at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). The authors would also like to thanks Drs. Tedesco and Licht for their input at various stages of this project, and C.E.E.S for logistical support. Finally, the authors would like to thank Lani D. Pascual and Dr. Dria for help in the laboratory with SUVA and FI measurements.

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  1. Laura E. Wagner

    Present address: U.S. Geological Survey, 400 S Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences and Center for Earth and Environmental Science, SL118, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, 723 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Philippe Vidon & Laura E. Wagner

  2. Veolia Eau, 36-38 Avenue Kleber, 75700, Paris, France

    Emmanuel Soyeux

Authors
  1. Philippe Vidon
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  2. Laura E. Wagner
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  3. Emmanuel Soyeux
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Correspondence to Philippe Vidon.

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Vidon, P., Wagner, L.E. & Soyeux, E. Changes in the character of DOC in streams during storms in two Midwestern watersheds with contrasting land uses. Biogeochemistry 88, 257–270 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-008-9207-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-008-9207-6

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