Open AccessEngineered headwaters can act as sources of dissolved organic matter and nitrogen to urban stream networks
Author(s) -
Fork Megan L.,
Blaszczak Joanna R.,
Delesantro Joseph M.,
Heffernan James B.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2378-2242
DOI - 10.1002/lol2.10066
Subject(s) - impervious surface , dissolved organic carbon , environmental science , streams , hydrology (agriculture) , biogeochemistry , water quality , organic matter , stormwater , nutrient , urban stream , nonpoint source pollution , ecology , surface runoff , geology , biology , computer network , geotechnical engineering , computer science
Improved management of urban stream water quality requires identification of sources contributing excess nutrients and organic matter. While soils and lawns are potential nonpoint sources characterized by large pools of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), their hydrologic connectivity to streams is often low relative to impervious surfaces. In contrast, engineered headwaters (gutters and pipes) retain smaller pools of C and N, but efficiently process litter into dissolved organic matter and are highly connected to streams during storms. We found that engineered headwaters have the potential to provide more than enough dissolved C and N to account for streamflow fluxes during storms. This finding suggests that engineered headwaters can act not only as stormwater conveyances, but as important proximate sources of dissolved carbon and nutrients to streams during storms. A nested mass balance approach like the one used here can further understanding of the contributions of previously overlooked subsystems, such as engineered headwaters, to biogeochemistry and element flux in urban catchments.