Chemistry of dissolved organic carbon and organic acids in two streams draining forested watersheds

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Water Resources Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91WR02180· OSTI ID:5177043

David, M B ^[1]; Vance, G F ^[2]; Kahl, J S ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Illinois, Urbana (United States)
2. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie (United States)
3. Univ. of Maine, Orono (United States)

The concentration, major fractions, and contribution of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to stream chemistry were examined in two paired streams draining upland catchments in eastern Maine. Concentrations of DOC in East and West Bear Brooks were 183 {plus minus} 73 and 169 {plus minus} 70 {mu}mol CL {sup {minus}1}, respectively. Organic acids were the dominant fractions of the stream DOC, with hydrophilic and hydrophobic organic acids representing 44 and 39% of total DOC, respectively. East and West Bear Brooks had mean organic anion concentrations of about 20{mu}eq L{sup {minus}1} during episodic events and 12-13 {mu}eq L{sup {minus}1} during base flow. During the episodic events, the maximum organic anion values were 51 and 36 {mu}eq L{sup {minus}1}, respectively, for East and West Bear Brooks. Although SO{sup 2{minus}}{sub 4} was the dominant stream anion, followed by Cl{sup {minus}}, organic anions were also determined to be an important component of these stream waters, especially during storm events. This illustrates that even in streams with low DOC, such as those studied here, organic anions can contribute significantly to stream acidity.

• OSTI ID: 5177043
• Journal Information: Water Resources Research; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resources Research; (United States) Vol. 28:2; ISSN 0043-1397; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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