Mercury and organic carbon relationships in streams draining forested upland/peatland watersheds

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1999.00472425002800030006x· OSTI ID:364029

Kolka, R K ^[1]; Grigal, D F; Nater, E A ^[2]; Verry, E S ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States). Dept. of Forestry
2. Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN (United States). Dept. of Soil, Water, and Climate
3. Forest Service, Grand Rapids, MN (United States). North Central Forest Experimental Station

The authors determined the fluxes of total mercury (HgT), total organic carbon (TOC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from five upland/peatland watersheds at the watershed outlet. The difference between TOC and DOC was defined as particulate OC (POC). Concentrations of HgT showed moderate to strong relationships with POC when all watersheds were grouped. Although POC only accounts for 10 to 20% of the OC transported, the authors estimate that it is associated with 52 to 80% of the HgT transported from the five watersheds. Total transport of HgT transported from the five watersheds. Total transport of HgT from the watersheds ranged from 0.70 to 2.82 {micro}g m{sup {minus}2} yr{sup {minus}1}. Watershed geometry and hydrology play important roles in determining the influence of OC on HgT transport in forested watersheds. Watershed properties such as peatland area have considerable promise as predictors for estimating HgT transport in streams draining forested watersheds in the Great Lakes States.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 364029
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 28; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MERCURY
ORGANIC MATTER
STREAMS
WATER POLLUTION
WATERSHEDS