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The significance of organic carbon and nutrient export from peatland-dominated landscapes subject to disturbance, a stoichiometric perspective
S. Waldron1, H. Flowers2, C. Arlaud3, C. Bryant4, and S. McFarlane2
1Department of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
2Department of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
3Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Toulouse, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
4NERC Radiocarbon Lab, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK
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Abstract. The terrestrial-aquatic interface is a crucial environment in which to
consider the fate of exported terrestrial carbon in the aquatic system. Here
the fate of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) may be controlled by nutrient
availability. However, peat-dominated headwater catchments are normally of
low nutrient status and thus there is little data on how DOC and nutrient
export co-varies. We present nutrient and DOC data for two UK catchments
dominated by peat headwaters. One, Whitelee, is undergoing development for
Europe's largest windfarm. Glen Dye by comparison is relatively undisturbed.
At both sites there are significant linear relationships between DOC and
soluble reactive phosphorus and nitrate concentrations in the drainage
waters. However, inter-catchment differences exist. Changes in the pattern
of nutrient and carbon export at Whitelee reveal that landscape disturbance
associated with windfarm development impacts the receiving waters, and that
nutrient export does not increase in a stoichiometric manner that will
promote increase in microbial biomass but rather supports aquatic
respiration. In turn greater CO2 efflux may prevail. Hence disturbance
of terrestrial carbon stores may impact the both the aquatic and gaseous
carbon cycle. We suggest estimates of aquatic carbon export should inform
the decision-making process prior to development in ecosystems and
catchments with high terrestrial carbon storage.
Final Revised Paper (PDF, 2748 KB) Discussion Paper (BGD)
Citation: Waldron, S., Flowers, H., Arlaud, C., Bryant, C., and McFarlane, S.: The significance of organic carbon and nutrient export from peatland-dominated landscapes subject to disturbance, a stoichiometric perspective, Biogeosciences, 6, 363-374, 2009. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager
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