Sulfate exports from multiple catchments in a glaciated forested watershed in western New York, USA.
Sulfate (SO4(2-)) concentrations and fluxes were studied for multiple storm events in the Point Peter Brook watershed, a glaciated, forested watershed located in Western New York, USA. Investigations were performed across one large (696 ha) and three small (1.6-3.4 ha) catchments with varying extent of riparian and wetland areas. Concentrations of SO4(2-) in groundwater sources (mean values: 238-910 micromol(c) L(-1)) were considerably greater than concentrations recorded for rainfall (60 micromol(c) L(-1)) and throughfall (72-129 micromol(c) L(-1)). Seasonality in SO4(2-) concentrations was most pronounced for valley-bottom riparian waters with maximum concentrations in late winter-spring (February-March) and a minimum in late summer (August). Concentrations of SO4(2-) in wetland water were considerably less than riparian water indicating the likelihood of SO4(2-) reduction in anoxic wetland conditions. Storm events displayed a dilution pattern in SO4(2-) concentrations with a minimum coinciding with the maximum in throughfall contributions. End member mixing analysis (EMMA) was able to predict the storm event concentrations of SO4(2-) for four of the six comparisons. Concentrations of SO4(2-) at the outlet of the large (696 ha) catchment were much greater than values recorded for the smaller catchments. Exports of SO4(2-) in streamflow exceeded the inputs from atmospheric deposition suggesting that watersheds like Point Peter Brook may not show any immediate response to decreases in atmospheric SO4(2-) deposition.
Inamdar
Shreeram P
SP
Bioresources Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. inamdar@udel.edu
Mitchell
Myron J
MJ
D009518:New York; D013431:Sulfates / Q000032:analysis*; D014197:Trees; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D013431:Sulfates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical