Premium
Winter Hydrology and NO 3 − Concentrations in a Forested Watershed: A Detailed Field Study in the Adirondack Mountains of New York 1
Author(s) -
Kurian Lisa M.,
Lautz Laura K.,
Mitchell Myron J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/jawr.12012
Subject(s) - snowpack , snowmelt , snow , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , streamflow , streams , precipitation , watershed , soil water , water table , period (music) , groundwater , climatology , geology , drainage basin , geography , meteorology , computer network , physics , geotechnical engineering , cartography , geomorphology , machine learning , computer science , soil science , acoustics
Abstract: More than 85% of NO 3 − losses from watersheds in the northeastern United States are exported during winter months (October 1 to May 30). Interannual variability in NO 3 − loads to individual streams is closely related to interannual climatic variations, particularly during the winter. The objective of our study was to understand how climatic and hydrogeological factors influence NO 3 − dynamics in small watersheds during the winter. Physical parameters including snow depth, soil temperature, stream discharge, and water table elevation were monitored during the 2007‐2008 winter in two small catchments in the Adirondack Mountains, New York State. Snowpack persisted from mid‐December to mid‐April, insulating soils such that only two isolated instances of soil frost were observed during the study period. NO 3 − export during a mid‐winter rain‐on‐snowmelt event comprised between 8 and 16% of the total stream NO 3 − load for the four‐month winter study period. This can be compared with the NO 3 − exported during the final spring melt, which comprised between 38 and 45% of the total four‐month winter NO 3 − load. Our findings indicate that minor melt events were detectable with changes in soil temperature, streamflow, groundwater level, and snow depth. But, based on loading, these events were relatively minor contributors to winter NO 3 − loss. A warmer climate and fluctuating snowpack may result in more major mid‐winter melt events and greater NO 3 − export to surface waters.