Conservation of blackwater rivers and streams of the coastal plains of United States: Knowledge and research needs

Flotemersch, Joseph E.

doi:10.1007/s13280-022-01818-9

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The topography east of the Fall Line largely consists of flat plains with numerous wetlands, including the Florida Everglades and Okefenokee Swamp (USEPA‐Ecoregions, 2022). The occurrence of blackwater rivers in streams in this area is well documented (Benke & Wallace, 2015; Colvin et al., 2020; Flotemersch, 2023; Meyer, 1990; Smock & Gilinsky, 1992). In the northern CONUS, sites were largely concentrated north of the southern extent of the Wisconsin Glaciation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Multiple factors likely contribute to this general lack of differences across physical habitat measures within ecoregions. An important first consideration is that the water influencing the prevailing chemistry at a site classified as blackwater is, in most cases, contributed to the wetted channel by off‐channel habitats (Benke & Wallace, 2015; Colvin et al., 2020; Flotemersch, 2023; Meyer, 1990; Smock & Gilinsky, 1992) and not the result of an autochthonous process within the wetted channel. The exception to tannin‐rich water being primarily a product of off‐channel habitats is where instream conditions contribute tannins to the stream (e.g., instream swamps; Todd et al., 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We identified a subset of sites with Color ≥50 PCU and DOC ≥10 mg L −1 as likely blackwater sites. These two chemical analytes were selected because they are common attributes mentioned in the literature describing blackwaters in the United States (e.g., Benke & Wallace, 2015; Colvin et al., 2020; Flotemersch, 2023; Meyer, 1990; Smock & Gilinsky, 1992). The stated value DOC was selected based on ranges observed in the literature (e.g., DOC 4–74 mg L −1 ) for sites described as blackwaters (e.g., Benke & Parsons, 1990; Meyer, 1986; Smock & Gilinsky, 1992).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the preceding papers, blackwater rivers and streams are characterized by clear (i.e., low turbidity) or stained watercolor; water chemistry that includes low pH/acidic, low dissolved oxygen, high dissolved organic carbon (DOC), high tannins (i.e., humic and fulvic acids), low conductivity, and low nutrients; systems that have a low gradient and a sandy bottom; and unique biota. Although these characteristics are widely used to describe blackwater rivers and streams, blackwater systems not fitting this paradigm also exist (Flotemersch, 2023; Smock & Gilinsky, 1992). For example, the blackwater rivers of Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia (http://www.wvstateparks.com), and “The Root Beer Falls” of Tahquamenon State Park in Michigan (https://www.michigan.org) are clearly not low gradient, nor dominated by a sandy bottom.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in some blackwater streams, natural conditions may still exceed legally established thresholds, which are largely based on non‐blackwater sites. This is a regular occurrence when regulatory organizations attempt to assess the condition of blackwater rivers and streams (Flotemersch, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distribution and Characteristics of Blackwater Rivers and Streams of the Contiguous United States

Flotemersch,

Blocksom,

Herlihy

et al. 2024

Water Resources Research

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Blackwater rivers and streams have stained or tea‐colored water from tannins released by decaying plant matter. Natural conditions in these waters often differ from non‐blackwater systems. For example, the pH and oxygen levels in waters can be very low, but completely natural. We examined an existing USEPA data set and found that blackwaters existed across the contiguous United States but were most common in the east. Water chemistry showed differences between blackwater and non‐blackwater sites, but differences were not consistent across ecoregions making national scale generalizations difficult. Physical habitat data analysis did not show dramatic differences between blackwater and non‐blackwater sites. Blackwater typically arises from streams that drain tannin‐rich bogs/muskeg and wetlands, so as expected blackwater sites had a shorter Euclidean distance to wetlands than non‐blackwater sites and existed in watersheds with a higher percentage of wetland habitat. Blackwaters in Northern and Temperate Plains tended to have higher acid neutralizing capacity, conductivity, and lower True Color; a visual color scale used for water purity. We posit that differences were because Color and Dissolved Organic Carbon at these sites were from buried wetland deposits rather than contemporary wetland habitats. Research needs that may increase our understanding and management of blackwaters include development of an operational definition that includes a classification framework and reference conditions for different blackwater types, identification of stressors and their associated dynamics that negatively impact blackwater systems, and development of data‐driven, consistent, and repeatable assessment methods, including development of targets, protective of unique conditions in blackwater rivers and streams.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distribution and Characteristics of Blackwater Rivers and Streams of the Contiguous United States

Flotemersch,

Blocksom,

Herlihy

et al. 2024

Water Resources Research

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In‐situ measurement of dissolved organic carbon and total organic carbon in fresh surface waters: Lab validation of a portable field meter

Collins,

Moulton,

Flotemersch

2024

River Research & Apps

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Nonliving organic matter, including organic carbon, in freshwater systems provides energy inputs to food webs and supports various ecosystem functions. Unusually high organic carbon levels can occur naturally in aquatic habitats such as wetlands and blackwater rivers and streams. However, values may also be high due to anthropogenic influences. In recent years, increasing levels of organic carbon have been observed and suggested as drivers of brownification and increased observation of foam on surface waters. Total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are not commonly included in field studies of aquatic ecosystems because of sampling logistics and resources required for laboratory measurement. As a potential alternative to laboratory analysis, we evaluated the effectiveness of a portable field meter by comparing laboratory results to data collected in situ. Comparisons were made at 43 surface water sites across northern West Virginia. At each of these sites, a field measurement was recorded using a Real TOC/DOC Field Meter, and a water sample was collected and transported for laboratory measurement using a Shimadzu TOC‐V analyzer. Data from the laboratory and field for each site were compared using bivariate analysis and concordance correlation on matched pairs. Poor agreement existed between field and lab measurements, so a novel data model was created using laboratory‐derived data for further comparison. Substantial accuracy was achieved using the new data model. This suggests that the Real TOC/DOC Field Meter is a viable instrument for field measurement of organic carbon in aquatic ecosystems and may aid in monitoring and management decisions.

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Wetland water quality patterns and anthropogenic pressure associations across the continental USA

Trebitz,

Herlihy

2023

Wetlands

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Conservation of blackwater rivers and streams of the coastal plains of United States: Knowledge and research needs

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

Distribution and Characteristics of Blackwater Rivers and Streams of the Contiguous United States

Distribution and Characteristics of Blackwater Rivers and Streams of the Contiguous United States

In‐situ measurement of dissolved organic carbon and total organic carbon in fresh surface waters: Lab validation of a portable field meter

Wetland water quality patterns and anthropogenic pressure associations across the continental USA

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