CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Creed, I.F.; Lynch, M.D.; Sanford, S.E.; Beall, F.D.; and Jeffries, D.S.
Date : 2001.
Title : Geomorphic controls on the export of dissolved organic carbon from forested catchments in central Ontario, Canada.
Publication : AGU 2001 Fall Meeting, Moscone Centre, San Franciso, California, December 10-14, 2001.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a complex mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds that has significant implications for the quality of surface water. In forests, wetlands have been shown to be a significant source of the natural variation in DOC export to streams; however, ephemeral wetlands (or surface saturated areas, SSAs) have not yet been considered as a potential source. For catchments in the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW) in central Ontario, Canada, the natural variation in DOC export was established and a statistical model to predict this natural variation was developed. For 12 catchments in the TLW, the natural variation in DOC export was significant, with annual averages ranging from 13.8 to 23.2 kg C\/ha\/yr and catchment averages ranging from 11.9 to 31.5 kg C\/ha\/yr. It was hypothesised that geomorphic controls on the distribution and organisation of SSAs within catchments influence DOC export. Three SSA indices were derived: (1) SSA size; (2) SSA connectivity to streams (reflecting the hydrologic efficiency of DOC transport); and (3) SSA curvature (reflecting the potential for hydrologic flushing into areas of replenished DOC sources). A multiple linear model indicated that the majority of the natural variation in DOC export was explained by a combination of the hydrologic efficiency and flushing potentials of the SSAs (R-sqr.=0.717, Adjusted R-sqr.4=0.654, p$<$0.05). To improve predictions of DOC export from forested catchments, the role of both permanent and ephemeral wetlands must be considered.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology