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Nutrient Transport in Surface Runoff and Interflow from an Aspen‐Birch Forest
Author(s) -
Timmons D. R.,
Verry E. S.,
Burwell R. E.,
Holt R. F.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1977.00472425000600020018x
Subject(s) - interflow , surface runoff , snowmelt , nutrient , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , surface water , agronomy , chemistry , ecology , geology , environmental engineering , biology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
Nutrients transported in surface runoff and interflow from an undisturbed aspen‐birch ( Populus tremuloides Michx., and Betula papyrifera Marsh.) forest (6.48 ha) in northern Minnesota were measured for 3 years. Surface runoff from snowmelt accounted for 97% of the average annual surface runoff and for 57% of the average annual water loss. Slope aspect influenced the amount, rate, and time of snowmelt runoff. In surface runoff, organic nitrogen (N) comprised 80% of the total N load, and organic (+ hydrolyzable) phosphorus (P) comprised 45% of the total P load. The quantities of cations in surface runoff were in the order of calcium (Ca) > potassium (K) > magnesium (Mg) > sodium (Na). More than 96% of all the nutrients in surface runoff were transported by snowmelt. The annual volumes of interflow varied only slightly during the 3 years. Compared with surface runoff, the amounts of all the nutrients (except Na) and their weighted concentrations decreased in interflow. These nutrient losses from the ecosystem can accumulate in surface waters.