Effects of golf course construction and operation on water chemistry of headwater streams on the Precambrian Shield.
To investigate the effects of golf course construction and operation on the water chemistry of Shield streams, we compared the water chemistry in streams draining golf courses under construction (2) and in operation (5) to streams in forested reference locations and to upstream sites where available. Streams were more alkaline and higher in base cation and nitrate concentrations downstream of operational golf courses. Levels of these parameters and total phosphorus increased over time in several streams during golf course construction through to operation. There was evidence of inputs of mercury to streams on two of the operational courses. Nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) concentrations were significantly related to the area of unmanaged vegetation in a 30 x 30 m area on either side of the sampling sites, and to River Bank Quality Index scores, suggesting that maintaining vegetated buffers along the stream on golf courses will reduce in-stream nutrient concentrations.
Winter
Jennifer G
JG
Environmental and Resource Studies, Trent University, c/o Dorset Environmental Science Centre, P.O. Box 39, Dorset, ON P0A 1E0, Canada. jennifer.winter@ene.gov.on.ca
Dillon
Peter J
PJ
D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004779:Environment Design; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006055:Golf; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009864:Ontario; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis
D002712:Chlorides; D009566:Nitrates; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014867:Water; D010758:Phosphorus; D012964:Sodium; D008628:Mercury; D009584:Nitrogen; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium