Impact of Changing Hydrology on Nutrient Uptake in High Arctic Rivers

Blaen, Phillip J.; Milner, Alexander M.; Hannah, David M.; Brittain, J. E.; Brown, Lee E.

doi:10.1002/rra.2706

Cited by 18 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 57 publications

(94 reference statements)

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“…nutrient uptake between the remaining three streams was similar to findings from Siberia (Diemer et al 2015;Schade et al 2016) and Svalbard (Blaen et al 2014). NH 4 + uptake was lower than observed in Siberia, but comparable to the lower uptake results from Svalbard, whilst PO 4 3-and NO 3 − uptake were lower than other studies (Blaen et al 2014;Diemer et al 2015;Schade et al 2016).…”

Section: Nutrient Uptake Dynamicssupporting

confidence: 59%

“…This input results in peak flow and peak nutrient concentration and bioavailability in the headwaters at that time of year (Holmes et al 2008;Mann et al 2012) and also the peak time for nutrient export to the ocean (Finlay et al 2006;Holmes et al 2008;Mann et al 2012). Despite the accelerated climate change experienced in high-latitude regions, the number of studies that have examined nutrient uptake in Arctic headwater streams is limited (but see Wollheim et al 2001;Blaen et al 2014;Diemer et al 2015;Schade et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…) and 100 μg L −1 for acetate (see Blaen et al 2014). Bromide (Br) was added as a conservative tracer and concentrations measured at each site.…”

Section: Nutrient Uptake Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Permafrost degradation is expected to lead to soil water becoming an increasingly important water source for stream ecosystems, providing nutrients and DOC previously bound within the permafrost (Madan et al 2007;Frey & McClelland 2009). Increased nutrient fluxes in streams are associated with increased biological activity in the biofilm (Lock et al 1990;Hershey et al 1997), increased by warmer water temperatures (Gíslason et al 2000;Blaen et al 2014), leading to an increase in nutrient uptake in headwater Arctic streams (Rasmussen et al 2011) with consequences for the food web. However, high channel mobility and suspended sediment concentration are unfavourable to biofilm growth, and, as such, predicted decreases in channel stability could have negative impact on nutrient uptake dynamics through reductions in biofilm biomass (Ryan 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The objectives were to elucidate: (1) reach-scale nutrient uptake rates and limitation to biofilm growth; (2) the main controls on nutrient uptake and limitation; and (3) by comparison with other studies, the wider implications of the findings in the Pan-Arctic region with respect to the effect of a changing climate on nutrient dynamics. We hypothesized that: (1) nutrient uptake would occur in all streams due to low nutrient availability in Arctic tundra ecosystems (Madan et al 2007;Kelley & Epstein 2009); (2) nutrient uptake would increase in the presence of a carbon source by increasing DOC availability needed for heterotrophic activity (Hoellein et al 2010); (3) nutrient uptake would be highest in streams with warmer water temperature because of enhanced algal growth (Gíslason et al 2000;Blaen et al 2014); and (4) biofilm biomass would be highest in the most stable stream channels, where channel mobility and suspended sediment concentration were lower and so more favourable to primary producer growth (Ryan 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nutrient uptake controls and limitation dynamics in north-east Greenland streams

et al. 2018

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Permafrost thaw induced by climate change will cause increased release of nutrients and organic matter from the active layer to Arctic streams and, with increased water temperature, will potentially enhance algal biomass and nutrient uptake. Although essential for accurately predicting the response of Arctic streams to environmental change, knowledge of nutrient release on current Arctic in-stream processing is limited. Addressing this research gap, we quantified nutrient uptake of short-term releases of NO 3 − , PO 4 3-and NH 4 + during peak snowmelt season in five streams of contrasting physiochemical characteristics (from unstable, highly turbid to highly stable, clear-water systems) in north-east Greenland to elucidate the major controls driving nutrient dynamics. Releases were plus or minus acetate to evaluate uptake dynamics with and without a dissolved organic carbon source. To substantiate limiting nutrients to algal biomass, nutrient-diffusing substrates were installed in the five streams for 16 days with NH 4 + , PO 4 3-or NH 4 + + PO 4 3-on organic and inorganic substrates. Observed low uptake rates were due to a combination of low nutrient and DOC concentrations, combined with low water temperature and primary producer biomass, and substantial variation occurred between streams. N was found to be the primary limiting nutrient for biofilm, whilst streams displayed widespread PO 4 3-limitation. This research has important implications for future changes in nutrient processing and export in Arctic streams, which are predicted to include increased nutrient uptake rates due to increased nutrient availability, warmer water temperatures and increased concentration of labile carbon. These changes could have ecosystem and landscape-wide impacts.

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Section: Nutrient Uptake Dynamicssupporting

confidence: 59%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…) and 100 μg L −1 for acetate (see Blaen et al 2014). Bromide (Br) was added as a conservative tracer and concentrations measured at each site.…”

Section: Nutrient Uptake Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nutrient uptake controls and limitation dynamics in north-east Greenland streams

et al. 2018

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Dissolved organic carbon uptake in streams: A review and assessment of reach‐scale measurements

et al. 2016

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Quantifying the role that freshwater ecosystems play in the global carbon cycle requires accurate measurement and scaling of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal in river networks. We reviewed reach‐scale measurements of DOC uptake from experimental additions of simple organic compounds or leachates to inform development of aquatic DOC models that operate at the river network, regional, or continental scale. Median DOC uptake velocity (vf) across all measurements was 2.28 mm min−1. Measurements using simple compound additions resulted in faster vf (2.94 mm min−1) than additions of leachates (1.11 mm min−1). We also reviewed published data of DOC bioavailability for ambient stream water and leaf leachate DOC from laboratory experiments. We used these data to calculate and apply a correction factor to leaf leachate uptake velocity to estimate ambient stream water DOC uptake rates at the reach scale. Using this approach, we estimated a median ambient stream DOC vf of 0.26 mm min−1. Applying these DOC vf values (0.26, 1.11, 2.28, and 2.94 mm min−1) in a river network inverse model in seven watersheds revealed that our estimated ambient DOC vf value is plausible at the network scale and 27 to 45% of DOC input was removed. Applying the median measured simple compound or leachate vf in whole river networks would require unjustifiably high terrestrial DOC inputs to match observed DOC concentrations at the basin mouth. To improve the understanding and importance of DOC uptake in fluvial systems, we recommend using a multiscale approach coupling laboratory assays, with reach‐scale measurements, and modeling.

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A cost-effective image processing approach for analyzing the ecohydrology of river corridors

Keys

Jones

Scott

et al. 2016

Limnol. Oceanogr. Methods

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There is currently a need for robust, high‐resolution monitoring techniques to assess and quantify ecosystem dynamics within surface water bodies and their riparian ecosystems. This study presents a cost effective, user‐friendly technique for examining the ecohydrology of stream and river corridors through the use of digital imagery. Using a simple digital camera, we captured hourly images of a small portion of a headwater Appalachian stream and adjacent floodplain. Then, we used pixel classification techniques to evaluate ecohydrologic parameters (e.g., inundation surface area, floodplain wetness, and vegetation dynamics) in each image. Results highlight the episodic nature of river floodplain connectivity, variation in surface wetness across the gradient from river to upland ecosystems, and the seasonal variability of vegetation density and health. To validate the accuracy of image‐based measurements, we then compared inundation area estimates to an existing inundation model and found a high level of agreement (R2 = 0.94; NRMSE = 7.96%). Our study highlights the use of time‐lapse imagery as a robust, cost‐effective method to capture the dynamics of river corridors and associated ecosystem services.

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Impact of Changing Hydrology on Nutrient Uptake in High Arctic Rivers

Cited by 18 publications

References 57 publications

Nutrient uptake controls and limitation dynamics in north-east Greenland streams

Nutrient uptake controls and limitation dynamics in north-east Greenland streams

Dissolved organic carbon uptake in streams: A review and assessment of reach‐scale measurements

A cost-effective image processing approach for analyzing the ecohydrology of river corridors

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