Dual isotope analyses indicate efficient processing of atmospheric nitrate by forested watersheds in the northeastern U.S.

Author Posting. © Springer, 2008. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Springer for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Biogeochemistry 90 (2008): 15-27, doi:10.1007/s10533-008-9227-2.Nitrogen from atmospheric deposition serves as the dominant source of new nitrogen to forested ecosystems in the northeastern U.S.. By combining isotopic data obtained using the denitrifier method, with chemistry and hydrology measurements we determined the relative importance of sources and control mechanisms on nitrate (NO3-) export from five forested watersheds in the Connecticut River watershed. Microbially produced NO3- was the dominant source (82-100%) of NO3- to the sampled streams as indicated by the δ15N and δ18O of NO3-. Seasonal variations in the δ18O-NO3- in streamwater are controlled by shifting hydrology and temperature affects on biotic processing, resulting in a relative increase in unprocessed NO3- export during winter months. Mass balance estimates find that the unprocessed atmospherically derived NO3- stream flux represents less than 3% of the atmospherically delivered wet NO3- flux to the region. This suggests that despite chronically elevated nitrogen deposition these forests are not nitrogen saturated and are retaining, removing, and reprocessing the vast majority of NO3- delivered to them throughout the year. These results confirm previous work within Northeastern U.S. forests and extend observations to watersheds not dominated by a snow-melt driven hydrology. In contrast to previous work, unprocessed atmospherically derived NO3- export is associated with the period of high recharge and low biotic activity as opposed to spring snowmelt and other large runoff events.This work was funded by an EPA STAR Fellowship (FP-91637501-1) and a grant from QLF/The Sound Conservancy to RTB

Concentrated Flow Paths in Riparian Buffer Zones of Southern Illinois

Riparian buffers in agricultural landscapes should be designed to trap pollutants in overland flow by slowing, filtering, and infiltrating surface runoff entering the buffer via sheet flow. However, observational evidence suggests that concentrated flow is prevalent from agricultural fields. Over time sediment can accumulate in riparian buffers forming berms that restrict sheet flow; these berms ultimately back up surface runoff, resulting in an eventual breakthrough that concentrates overland flow. This study examines the occurrence of concentrated flow paths (CFPs) in riparian buffers at both the field and watershed scale. At the field scale, intensive topographic surveys were conducted at ten field sites in southern Illinois. To assess the prevalence of CFPs at the watershed scale, three watersheds in southern Illinois were selected for walking stream surveys along randomly selected 1,000 m reaches. CFPs were identified in all topographic surveys and all walking stream surveys. Among field sites, concentrated flow accounted for 82.5–100% of the drainage leaving the agricultural fields. Sediment berm accumulation was identified at all field sites and was positively correlated with CFP size. At the watershed scale, CFPs were more abundant in agricultural areas compared to forested land. Results from this study indicate that concentrated flow was prevalent across all study sites at both the field and watershed scale. Thus, surface water quality may suffer in areas with poorly functioning buffers, and managers must consider the occurrence of CFPs when designing and maintaining riparian buffers to protect stream water quality