Dissolved organic matter in wetland soils and streams of Southeast Alaska: Source, Concentration, and Chemical Quality

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2008Dissolved organic matter (DOM) transported from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems is an important source of C, N and energy for the metabolism of aquatic heterotrophic bacteria. I examined the concentration and chemical quality of DOM exported from coastal temperate watersheds in southeast Alaska to determine if wetland soils are an important source of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) to aquatic ecosystems. I addressed this question through a combination of high resolution temporal and spatial field measurements in three watersheds near Juneau, Alaska by using a replicated experimental design that characterized DOM export from three different soil types (bog, forested wetland and upland forest) within each of the watersheds. PARAFAC modeling of fluorescence excitation-emission spectroscopy and BDOC incubations were used to evaluate the chemical quality and lability of DOM. Overall, my findings show that wetland soils contribute substantial biodegradable DOM to streams and the response in BDOC delivery to streams changes seasonally, with soil type, and during episodic events such as stormflows. In particular, the chemical quality of DOM in streamwater and soil solution was similar during the spring runoff and fall wet season, as demonstrated by the similar contribution of protein-like fluorescence in soil solution and in streams. These findings indicate a tight coupling between wetland DOM source pools and streams is responsible for the export of BDOC from terrestrial ecosystems. Thus, seasonal changes in soil-stream linkages can have a major influence on watershed biogeochemistry with important implications for stream metabolism and the delivery of labile DOM to coastal ecosystems. Soil DOM additions in small streams draining the three soil types showed that DOM leached from watershed soils is readily used as a substrate by stream heterotrophs and at the same time modified in composition by the selective degradation of the proteinaceous fraction of DOM. These findings indicate terrestrial DOM inputs to streams are an important source of C to support stream heterotrophic production. Thus, the production of protein-rich, labile DOM and subsequent loss in stream runoff has the potential to be an important loss of C and N from coastal temperate watersheds

Radiative Forcing by Dust and Black Carbon on the Juneau Icefield, Alaska

Here we present the first known data set on black carbon (BC) and mineral dust concentrations in snow from the Juneau Icefield (JIF) in southeastern Alaska, where glacier melt rates are among the highest on Earth. In May 2016, concentrations of BC (0.4–3.1 μg/L) and dust (0.2–34 mg/L) were relatively low and decreased toward the interior of the JIF. The associated radiative forcing (RF) averaged 4 W/m2. In July, after 10 weeks of exposure, the aged snow surface had substantially higher concentrations of BC (2.1–14.8 μg/L) and dust (11–72 mg/L) that were not spatially distributed by elevation or distance from the coast. RF by dust and BC ranged from 70 to 130 W/m2 (87 W/m2 average) across the JIF in July, and RF was dominated by dust. The associated median snow water equivalent reduction in the July samples is estimated at 10–18 mm/day, potentially advancing melt on the scale of days to weeks. Aging of the snow surface in summer likely resulted in a positive feedback of melt consolidation, enhanced solar absorption and melting, and further concentration of surface particles. Regional projections of warming temperatures and increased rain at the expense of snow make it likely that summer season darkening will become a more important contributor to the high melt rates on the JIF. Further studies are needed to elucidate the spatiotemporal occurrence of various light‐absorbing particles on the JIF, and models of ice field wastage should incorporate their associated RF

Glacier runoff influences biogeochemistry and resource availabilityin coastal temperate rainforest streams: Implications for juvenile salmon growth

Meltwater contributions to watersheds are shrinking as glaciers disappear, altering theflow, temperature, andbiogeochemistry of freshwaters. A potential consequence of this landscape change is that streamflow patternswithin glacierized watersheds will become more homogenous, potentially altering the capacity of watersheds tosupport Pacific salmon. To assess heterogeneity in stream habitat quality for juvenile salmon in a watershed inthe Alaska Coast Mountains, we collected organic matter and invertebrate drift and measured streamwater phys-ical and biogeochemical properties over the main runoff season in two adjacent tributaries, one fed mainly byrain and the other partially by glacier ice/snowmelt. We then used bioenergetic modeling to evaluate how tem-poral patterns in water temperature and invertebrate drift in each tributary influence juvenile salmon growthpotential. Across the study period, average invertebrate drift concentrations were similar in non-glacierizedMontana (0.33 mg m 3) and glacier-influenced McGinnis Creeks (0.38 mg m 3). However, seasonal patterns ofinvertebrate drift were temporally asynchronous between the two streams. Invertebrate drift and modeledfishgrowth were generally higher in McGinnis Creek in the spring and Montana Creek in the Summer. For juvenilesalmon, tracking these resource asynchronies by moving between tributaries resulted in 20% greater growththan could be obtained within either stream alone. These results suggest that hydrologic heterogeneity withinwatersheds may enhance the diversity of foraging and growth opportunities for mobile aquatic organisms,which may be essential for supporting productive and resilient natural salmon runs.Ye

Glacier runoff influences biogeochemistry and resource availabilityin coastal temperate rainforest streams: Implications for juvenile salmon growth

Meltwater contributions to watersheds are shrinking as glaciers disappear, altering theflow, temperature, andbiogeochemistry of freshwaters. A potential consequence of this landscape change is that streamflow patternswithin glacierized watersheds will become more homogenous, potentially altering the capacity of watersheds tosupport Pacific salmon. To assess heterogeneity in stream habitat quality for juvenile salmon in a watershed inthe Alaska Coast Mountains, we collected organic matter and invertebrate drift and measured streamwater phys-ical and biogeochemical properties over the main runoff season in two adjacent tributaries, one fed mainly byrain and the other partially by glacier ice/snowmelt. We then used bioenergetic modeling to evaluate how tem-poral patterns in water temperature and invertebrate drift in each tributary influence juvenile salmon growthpotential. Across the study period, average invertebrate drift concentrations were similar in non-glacierizedMontana (0.33 mg m 3) and glacier-influenced McGinnis Creeks (0.38 mg m 3). However, seasonal patterns ofinvertebrate drift were temporally asynchronous between the two streams. Invertebrate drift and modeledfishgrowth were generally higher in McGinnis Creek in the spring and Montana Creek in the Summer. For juvenilesalmon, tracking these resource asynchronies by moving between tributaries resulted in 20% greater growththan could be obtained within either stream alone. These results suggest that hydrologic heterogeneity withinwatersheds may enhance the diversity of foraging and growth opportunities for mobile aquatic organisms,which may be essential for supporting productive and resilient natural salmon runs.Ye

From canopy to consumer: what makes and modifes terrestrial DOM in a temperate forest

To investigate how source and processing control the composition of “terrestrial” dissolved organic matter (DOM), we combine soil and tree leachates, tree DOM, laboratory bioincubations, and ultrahigh resolution Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry in three common landscape types (upland forest, forested wetland, and poor fen) of Southeast Alaska’s temperate rainforest. Tree (Tsuga heterophylla and Picea sitchensis) needles and bark and soil layers from each site were leached, and tree stemflow and throughfall collected to examine DOM sources. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were as high as 167 mg CL−1 for tree DOM, suggesting tree DOM fluxes may be substantial given the hypermaritime climate of the region. Condensed aromatics contributed as much as 38% relative abundance of spruce and hemlock bark leachates suggesting coniferous trees are potential sources of condensed aromatics to surface waters. Soil leachates showed soil wetness dictates DOM composition and processing, with wetland soils producing more aromatic formulae and allowing the preservation of traditionally biolabile, aliphatic formulae. Biodegradation impacted soil and tree DOM differently, and though the majority of source-specific marker formulae were consumed for all sources, some marker formulae persisted. Tree DOM was highly biolabile (> 50%) and showed compositional convergence where processing homogenized DOM from different tree sources. In contrast, wetland and upland soil leachate DOM composition diverged and processing diversified DOM from different soil sources during bioincubations. Increasing precipitation intensity predicted with climate change in Southeast Alaska will increase tree leaching and soil DOM flushing, tightening linkages between terrestrial sources and DOM export to the coastal ocean.The authors thank Emily Whitney for her invaluable feld, laboratory, and logistical assistance and Molly Tankersley for creating Fig. 1. They are also grateful to all the helpful researchers at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory who enabled data acquisition and processing. This work took place on the lands of the Aak’w Kwáan Tlingit. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation through an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to MIB. A portion of this work was performed at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory ICR User Facility, which is supported by the National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry and Division of Materials Research through DMR-1644779 and the State of Florida. Conficts of interest/ Competing interests: The authors have no conficts of interests to declare.Ye

From canopy to consumer: what makes and modifies terrestrial DOM in a temperate forest

To investigate how source and processing control the composition of “terrestrial” dissolved organic matter (DOM), we combine soil and tree leachates, tree DOM, laboratory bioincubations, and ultrahigh resolution Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry in three common landscape types (upland forest, forested wetland, and poor fen) of Southeast Alaska’s temperate rainforest. Tree (Tsuga heterophylla and Picea sitchensis) needles and bark and soil layers from each site were leached, and tree stemflow and throughfall collected to examine DOM sources. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were as high as 167 mg CL−1 for tree DOM, suggesting tree DOM fluxes may be substantial given the hypermaritime climate of the region. Condensed aromatics contributed as much as 38% relative abundance of spruce and hemlock bark leachates suggesting coniferous trees are potential sources of condensed aromatics to surface waters. Soil leachates showed soil wetness dictates DOM composition and processing, with wetland soils producing more aromatic formulae and allowing the preservation of traditionally biolabile, aliphatic formulae. Biodegradation impacted soil and tree DOM differently, and though the majority of source-specific marker formulae were consumed for all sources, some marker formulae persisted. Tree DOM was highly biolabile (> 50%) and showed compositional convergence where processing homogenized DOM from different tree sources. In contrast, wetland and upland soil leachate DOM composition diverged and processing diversified DOM from different soil sources during bioincubations. Increasing precipitation intensity predicted with climate change in Southeast Alaska will increase tree leaching and soil DOM flushing, tightening linkages between terrestrial sources and DOM export to the coastal ocean.The authors thank Emily Whitney for her invaluable feld, laboratory, and logistical assistance and Molly Tankersley for creating Fig. 1. They are also grateful to all the helpful researchers at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory who enabled data acquisition and processing. This work took place on the lands of the Aak’w Kwáan Tlingit. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation through an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to MIB. A portion of this work was performed at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory ICR User Facility, which is supported by the National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry and Division of Materials Research through DMR-1644779 and the State of Florida. Conficts of interest/ Competing interests: The authors have no conficts of interests to declare.Ye

Assessing the Role of Photochemistry in Driving the Composition of Dissolved Organic Matter in Glacier Runoff

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in glacier runoff is aliphatic-rich, yet studies have proposed that DOM originates mainly from allochthonous, aromatic, and often aged material. Allochthonous organic matter (OM) is exposed to ultraviolet radiation both in atmospheric transport and post-deposition on the glacier surface. Thus, we evaluate photochemistry as a mechanism to account for the compositional disconnect between allochthonous OM sources and glacier runoff DOM composition. Six endmember OM sources (including soils and diesel particulate matter) were leached and photo-irradiated for 28 days in a solar simulator, until >90% of initial chromophoric DOM was removed. Ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry was used to compare the molecular composition of endmember leachates pre- and post-irradiation to DOM in supraglacial and bulk runoff from the Greenland Ice Sheet and Juneau Icefield (Alaska), respectively. Photoirradiation drove molecular level convergence between the initially aromatic-rich leachates and aromatic-poor glacial samples, selectively removing aromatic compounds (−80 ± 19% relative abundance) and producing aliphatics (+75 ± 35% relative abundance). Molecular level glacier runoff DOM composition was statistically indistinguishable to post-irradiation leachates. Bray-Curtis analysis showed substantial similarity in the molecular formulae present between glacier samples and post-irradiation leachates. Post-irradiation leachates contained 84 ± 7.4% of the molecular formulae, including 72 ± 17% of the aliphatic formulae, detected in glacier samples. Our findings suggest that photodegradation, either in transit to or on glacier surfaces, could provide a mechanistic pathway to account for the disconnect between proposed aromatic, aged sources of OM and the aliphatic-rich fingerprint of glacial DOM.Megan I. Behnke is thanked for collecting the Alaskan soil samples, Stephanie McColaugh for collecting the Russell Glacier samples, Casey Luzius for help with leachate preparations, and Sarah Ellen Johnston for assistance with DOC analyses. Funding Source: This study was supported by NSF, DEB 1145932 and OCE 1333157 to R. G. M. Spencer. Funding was provided by Alaska EPSCoR (OIA-1757348). A portion of this work was performed in the Ion Cyclotron Resonance User Facility at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, which is supported by the National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry and Division of Materials Research through DMR 16-44779, and the State of Florida.Ye

Beyond respiration : Controls on lateral carbon fluxes across the terrestrial-aquatic interface

Understanding what controls the lateral flux of organic and inorganic carbon from landscapes to surfacewaters is key to fully understanding terrestrial ecosystem carbon balances, the biogeochemistry of fresh-waters, and how the hydrologically-mediated movement of carbon between these ecosystems may be alteredby global change. In this paper, we synthesize current knowledge and identify major knowledge gaps in ourunderstanding of land-to-water fluxes of dissolved and particulate organic carbon, CO2, and bicarbonate byexploring: (1) how variations in soil carbon stocks affect dissolved and gaseous carbon production in the soilprofile and transport via terrestrial-aquatic flow paths, and (2) the effect of global change on these lateral car-bon fluxes. Our aim is to develop a roadmap to guide future research on terrestrial-aquatic linkages in thecarbon cycle within the context of changes in climate, global biogeochemical cycles, and land use

Regression models describing the relationship between mean daily stream temperature and mean daily DO in A) Peterson Creek and B) Cowee Creek during the 1 May through 31 October, 2013 study period.

<p>Regression models describing the relationship between mean daily stream temperature and mean daily DO in A) Peterson Creek and B) Cowee Creek during the 1 May through 31 October, 2013 study period.</p

Stream Physical Characteristics Impact Habitat Quality for Pacific Salmon in Two Temperate Coastal Watersheds

<div><p>Climate warming is likely to cause both indirect and direct impacts on the biophysical properties of stream ecosystems especially in regions that support societally important fish species such as Pacific salmon. We studied the seasonal variability and interaction between stream temperature and DO in a low-gradient, forested stream and a glacial-fed stream in coastal southeast Alaska to assess how these key physical parameters impact freshwater habitat quality for salmon. We also use multiple regression analysis to evaluate how discharge and air temperature influence the seasonal patterns in stream temperature and DO. Mean daily stream temperature ranged from 1.1 to 16.4°C in non-glacial Peterson Creek but only 1.0 to 8.8°C in glacial-fed Cowee Creek, reflecting the strong moderating influence glacier meltwater had on stream temperature. Peterson Creek had mean daily DO concentrations ranging from 3.8 to 14.1 mg L⁻¹ suggesting future climate changes could result in an even greater depletion in DO. Mean daily stream temperature strongly controlled mean daily DO in both Peterson (R²=0.82, P<0.01) and Cowee Creek (R²=0.93, P<0.01). However, DO in Peterson Creek was mildly related to stream temperature (R²=0.15, P<0.01) and strongly influenced by discharge (R²=0.46, P<0.01) on days when stream temperature exceeded 10°C. Moreover, Peterson Creek had DO values that were particularly low (<5.0 mg L⁻¹) on days when discharge was low but also when spawning salmon were abundant. Our results demonstrate the complexity of stream temperature and DO regimes in coastal temperate watersheds and highlight the need for watershed managers to move towards multi-factor risk assessment of potential habitat quality for salmon rather than single factor assessments alone.</p></div