Ecosystem Consequences of Contrasting Flow Regimes in an Urban Effects Stream Mesocosm Study1

Abstract: A stream mesocosm experiment was conducted to study the ecosystem‐wide effects of two replicated flow hydrograph treatments programmed in an attempt to compare a simulated predevelopment condition to the theoretical changes that new development brings, while accounting for engineering design criteria for urban stormwater management. Accordingly, the treatments (three replicates each) differed in base flow between events and in the rise to, fall from, and duration of peak flow during simulated storm hydrographs, which were triggered by real rain events occurring outside over a 96‐day period from summer to fall, 2005. Incident irradiance, initial substrate quality, and water quality were similar between treatments. Sampling was designed to study the interactions among the treatment flow dynamics, sediment transport processes, streambed nutrients, and biotic structure and function. What appeared most important to the overall structure and function of the mesocosm ecosystems beyond those changes resulting from natural seasonality were (1) the initial mass of fines that infiltrated into the gravel bed, which had a persistent effect on nitrogen biogeochemistry and (2) the subsequent fine sediment accumulation rate, which was unexpectedly similar between treatments, and affected the structure of the macroinvertebrate community equally as the experiment progressed. Invertebrate taxa preferring soft beds dominated when the gravel was comprised of 5‐10% fines. The dominant invertebrate algal grazer had vacated the channels when fines exceeded 15%, but this effect could not be separated from what appeared to be a seasonal decline in insect densities over the course of the study. Neither hydrograph treatment allowed for scour or other potential for flushing of fines. This demonstrated the potential importance of interactions between hydrology and fine sediment loading dynamics on stream ecosystems in the absence of flows that would act to mobilize gravel beds.     

Impact of an Invasive Exotic Species on Stream Nitrogen Levels in Southern Illinois1

Abstract: Autumn‐olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) is an invasive, exotic shrub that has become naturalized in the eastern United States. Autumn‐olive fixes nitrogen (N) via a symbiotic relationship with the actinomycete Frankia. At the plot scale, the presence of autumn‐olive has been related to elevated soil water nitrate‐N (NO₃^?‐N) concentrations. This study examined the relationship between autumn‐olive cover in a watershed and stream water quality. Stream water nitrate‐N (NO₃^?‐N) and ammonium‐N (NH₄⁺‐N) concentrations were measured in 12 first order ephemeral streams draining watersheds with mixed forest cover and a range of 0‐35% autumn‐olive cover. Percent autumn‐olive cover was positively correlated with mean stream NO₃^?‐N concentrations, but was not correlated with mean stream NH₄⁺‐N concentrations. While other studies have demonstrated a significant relationship between native N‐fixers and stream NO₃^?‐N, this is the first study to document a relationship for an invasive, exotic N‐fixing species. Results suggest that this exotic species can be an additional source of NO₃^? in local and regional water bodies and demonstrates an additional negative ecosystem consequence of invasion beyond losses in biodiversity.     

The formation and fate of chlorinated organic substances in temperate and boreal forest soils

Background, aim and scope  Chlorine is an abundant element, commonly occurring in nature either as chloride ions or as chlorinated organic compounds (OCls). Chlorinated organic substances were long considered purely anthropogenic products; however, they are, in addition, a commonly occurring and important part of natural ecosystems. Formation of OCls may affect the degradation of soil organic matter (SOM) and thus the carbon cycle with implications for the ability of forest soils to sequester carbon, whilst the occurrence of potentially toxic OCls in groundwater aquifers is of concern with regard to water quality. It is thus important to understand the biogeochemical cycle of chlorine, both inorganic and organic, to get information about the relevant processes in the forest ecosystem and the effects on these from human activities, including forestry practices. A survey is given of processes in the soil of temperate and boreal forests, predominantly in Europe, including the participation of chlorine, and gaps in knowledge and the need for further work are discussed. Results  Chlorine is present as chloride ion and/or OCls in all compartments of temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. It contributes to the degradation of SOM, thus also affecting carbon sequestration in the forest soil. The most important source of chloride to coastal forest ecosystems is sea salt deposition, and volcanoes and coal burning can also be important sources. Locally, de-icing salt can be an important chloride input near major roads. In addition, anthropogenic sources of OCls are manifold. However, results also indicate the formation of chlorinated organics by microorganisms as an important source, together with natural abiotic formation. In fact, the soil pool of OCls seems to be a result of the balance between chlorination and degradation processes. Ecologically, organochlorines may function as antibiotics, signal substances and energy equivalents, in descending order of significance. Forest management practices can affect the chlorine cycle, although little is at present known about how. Discussion  The present data on the apparently considerable size of the pool of OCls indicate its importance for the functioning of the forest soil system and its stability, but factors controlling their formation, degradation and transport are not clearly understood. It would be useful to estimate the significance and rates of key processes to be able to judge the importance of OCls in SOM and litter degradation. Effects of forest management processes affecting SOM and chloride deposition are likely to affect OCls as well. Further standardisation and harmonisation of sampling and analytical procedures is necessary. Conclusions and perspectives  More work is necessary in order to understand and, if necessary, develop strategies for mitigating the environmental impact of OCls in temperate and boreal forest soils. This includes both intensified research, especially to understand the key processes of formation and degradation of chlorinated compounds, and monitoring of the substances in question in forest ecosystems. It is also important to understand the effect of various forest management techniques on OCls, as management can be used to produce desired effects.     

Linking Landscape Characteristics and High Stream Nitrogen in the Oregon Coast Range: Red Alder Complicates Use of Nutrient Criteria

Red alder (Alnus rubra), a nitrogen(N)‐fixing deciduous broadleaf tree, can strongly influence N concentrations in western Oregon and Washington. We compiled a database of stream N and GIS‐derived landscape characteristics in order to examine geographic variation in N across the Oregon Coast Range. Basal area of alder, expressed as a percent of watershed area, accounted for 37% and 38% of the variation in summer nitrate and total N (TN) concentrations, respectively. Relationships between alder and nitrate were strongest in winter when streamflow and landscape connections are highest. Distance to the coast and latitude, potential surrogates for sea salt inputs, and watershed area were also related to nitrate concentrations in an all‐subsets regression analysis, which accounted for 46% of the variation in summer nitrate concentrations. The model with the lowest Akaike's Information Criterion did not include developed or agricultural land cover, probably because few watersheds in our database had substantial levels of these land cover classes. Our results provide evidence, at a regional scale, that background sources and processes cause many Coast Range streams to exceed proposed nutrient criteria, and that the prevalence of a single tree species (N‐fixing red alder) exerts a dominant control over stream N concentrations across this region.     

The biogeochemical cycles of phosphorus: A review of local and global consequences of the atmospheric input

P‐input from the atmosphere is, in many oligotrophic ecosystems, substantial for the biomass production; in some regions biomass formation may depend fully or partially on the phosphorus input from the atmosphere. As a consequence, phosphorus must be considered as an element participating in cycles involving the atmosphere, like sulfur and nitrogen. Dust and aerosols containing phosphorus are transported worldwide, linking even distant regions. Human activities enhance the amounts of P distributed. Since the concentrations of P in the atmospheric dry and wet input are usually very low, special care in sampling and analysis is a prerequisite to obtain reproducible data. Some values in the literature may be questionable.     

HARVEST INFLUENCES ON FLOODWATER PROPERTIES IN A FORESTED FLOODPLAIN1

ABSTRACT: Floodplain forests directly influence water quality by serving as sinks, sources, or transformers of nutrients. Increases in the demand for timber raise the question of how silvicultural disturbance may affect this function. The objective of this research was to compare biogeochemical relationships between undisturbed vs. disturbed conditions in a floodplain forest. A randomized complete block design consisting of three blocks and two treatments (partial harvest and undisturbed) was installed on the Flint River floodplain, Georgia. The partial cut was conducted during September-October 1993. Automated water samplers were situated to sample during flood events as sheet flow entered and exited treatment plots during the 1994, 1995 and 1996 flood seasons. Prevs. post-contact comparisons indicated that the undisturbed floodplain has minimal influence on water chemistry at this scale of measurement. Although the partial harvest on an 8-ha scale had minimal effect upon sheetfiow water chemistry for three years following harvest, the data suggest that harvests may stimulate a minor increase in Ca and K sink activity.     

Influences of Water and Sediment Quality and Hydrologic Processes on Mussels in the Clinch River

Segments of the Clinch River in Virginia have experienced declining freshwater mussel populations during the past 40 years, while other segments of the river continue to support some of the richest mussel communities in the country. The close proximity of these contrasting reaches provides a study area where differences in climate, hydrology, and historic mussel distribution are minimal. The USGS conducted a study between 2009 and 2011 to evaluate possible causes of the mussel declines. Evaluation of mussel habitat showed no differences in physical habitat quality, leaving water and sediment quality as possible causes for declines. Three years of continuous water‐quality data showed higher turbidity and specific conductance in the reaches with low‐quality mussel assemblages compared to reaches with high‐quality mussel assemblages. Discrete water‐quality samples showed higher major ions and metals concentrations in the low‐quality reach. Base‐flow samples contained high major ion and metal concentrations coincident to low‐quality mussel populations. These results support a conceptual model of dilution and augmentation where increased concentrations of major ions and other dissolved constituents from mined tributaries result in reaches with declining mussel populations. Tributaries from unmined basins provide water with low concentrations of dissolved constituents, diluting reaches of the Clinch River where high‐quality mussel populations occur.     

金的生物地球化学及遥感探矿方法

本文阐述了国内外有关金的生物地球化学性质和对植物产生的生物地球化学效应特征、遥感影象特征以及遥感生物地球化学探矿方法。同时也指出了需加强该领域的理论和应用研究，为广大植被覆盖地区寻求一种快速有效的探矿方法。     

上海粮田锌和铅的生物地球化学

本文介绍了1990—1991年对上海粮田锌和铅的生物地球化学研究.阐述了锌和铅在上述地区的富集和迁移规律.研究了结累锌和铅的地球化学栅栏以及谷物对锌和铅的吸收与富集.     

Fluctuations of Climatic Conditions, Elemental Cycling and Forest Growth at the Watershed Scale

The relationships between fluctuations in climatic conditions,forest productivity and elemental cycling were studied from 1994 to 1997 in a headwater catchment of the southern Laurentians dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharumMarsh.) growing on podzolic soils. Annual budgets show that H⁺, K, and NO₃ were retained in the watershed whileCa, Mg and Na were lost. The magnitude of the net annual budget for Ca, Mg and Na was correlated to annual variationsin precipitation with the absolute budget value decreasing during dry years. Stemwood (r² = 0.85) and total tree biomass production (r² = 0.99) were correlated with mean annual temperature but fine roots and leaf litter werenot. During the growing season, the pH of the organic horizons(FH) decreased as the volumetric water content of soildecreased. A positive association was also found between airtemperature and H₂O-soluble (r² = 0.88) and PO₄-extractable (r² = 0.99) SO₄ in the upper B horizon. On a multi-year scale, we suspect that the decreasein the storage of inorganic SO₄ in the soil results from the cumulative effects of annual variations in climatic conditions superimposed on the long-term decrease in SO₄deposition from the atmosphere. These soil changes were reflected by a decline in SO₄, Ca and Mg concentrationsin the stream. The generalisation of the observed short-term patterns to longer time scales must be approached with caution. Yet, our results indicate that the associations between climatic variations and the biogeochemistry of the ecosystem occur at different spatial and temporal scales and integrate abroad range of chemical components and ecosystem compartments. This reflects the inherent complexity of natural systems and offers a vast palette of indicators of the response of terrestrial ecosystems to variations in the intensity of environmental factors such as climatic conditions.