Using high-frequency sampling to detect effects of atmospheric pollutants on stream chemistry

Stephen D. Sebestyen; James B. Shanley; Elizabeth W. Boyer

Treesearch

Using high-frequency sampling to detect effects of atmospheric pollutants on stream chemistry

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Stephen D. Sebestyen, James B. Shanley, Elizabeth W. Boyer

Year:

2009

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: Webb, R.M.T.; Semmens, D.J., eds. Planning for an uncertain future--monitoring, integration, and adaptation. Proceedings of the third interagency conference on research in the watersheds: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5049: 171-175.

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Abstract

We combined information from long-term (weekly over many years) and short-term (high-frequency during rainfall and snowmelt events) stream water sampling efforts to understand how atmospheric deposition affects stream chemistry. Water samples were collected at the Sleepers River Research Watershed, VT, a temperate upland forest site that receives elevated atmospheric deposition of pollutants such as nitrogen (N) and mercury (Hg). Our use of high-frequency sampling documents responses of nutrients and mercury in streamflow to atmospheric deposition inputs to the watershed.

Keywords

atmospheric deposition, dissolved organic matter, mercury, nitrogen, Sleepers River Research Watershed, stream chemistry

Citation

Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Shanley, James B.; Boyer, Elizabeth W. 2009. Using high-frequency sampling to detect effects of atmospheric pollutants on stream chemistry. In: Webb, R.M.T.; Semmens, D.J., eds. Planning for an uncertain future--monitoring, integration, and adaptation. Proceedings of the third interagency conference on research in the watersheds: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5049: 171-175.