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Hydrochemical processes in lowland rivers: Insights from in situ, high-resolution monitoring

Wade, A. J.; Palmer-Felgate, E. J.; Halliday, S. J.; Skeffington, R. A.; Loewenthal, M.; Jarvie, H. P.; Bowes, M. J.; Greenway, G. M.; Haswell, S. J.; Bell, I. M.; Joly, E.; Fallatah, A.; Neal, C.; Williams, R. J.; Gozzard, E.; Newman, J. R.

Authors

A. J. Wade

E. J. Palmer-Felgate

S. J. Halliday

R. A. Skeffington

M. Loewenthal

H. P. Jarvie

M. J. Bowes

G. M. Greenway

S. J. Haswell

I. M. Bell

E. Joly

A. Fallatah

C. Neal

R. J. Williams

E. Gozzard

J. R. Newman



Abstract

This paper introduces new insights into the hydrochemical functioning of lowland river systems using field-based spectrophotometric and electrode technologies. The streamwater concentrations of nitrogen species and phosphorus fractions were measured at hourly intervals on a continuous basis at two contrasting sites on tributaries of the River Thames-one draining a rural catchment, the River Enborne, and one draining a more urban system, The Cut. The measurements complement those from an existing network of multi-parameter water quality sondes maintained across the Thames catchment and weekly monitoring based on grab samples. The Results of the sub-daily monitoring show that streamwater phosphorus concentrations display highly complex dynamics under storm conditions dependent on the antecedent catchment wetness, and that diurnal phosphorus and nitrogen cycles occur under low flow conditions. The diurnal patterns highlight the dominance of sewage inputs in controlling the streamwater phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations at low flows, even at a distance of 7 km from the nearest sewage treatment works in the rural River Enborne. The time of sample collection is important when judging water quality against ecological thresholds or standards. An exhaustion of the supply of phosphorus from diffuse and multiple septic tank sources during storm events was evident and load estimation was not improved by sub-daily monitoring beyond that achieved by daily sampling because of the eventual reduction in the phosphorus mass entering the stream during events. The Results highlight the utility of sub-daily water quality measurements and the discussion considers the practicalities and challenges of in situ, sub-daily monitoring. © 2012 Author(s).

Citation

Wade, A. J., Palmer-Felgate, E. J., Halliday, S. J., Skeffington, R. A., Loewenthal, M., Jarvie, H. P., …Newman, J. R. (2012). Hydrochemical processes in lowland rivers: Insights from in situ, high-resolution monitoring. Hydrology and earth system sciences, 16(11), 4323-4342. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-4323-2012

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 25, 2012
Online Publication Date Nov 22, 2012
Publication Date Dec 3, 2012
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Print ISSN 1027-5606
Electronic ISSN 1607-7938
Publisher European Geosciences Union
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
Issue 11
Pages 4323-4342
DOI https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-4323-2012
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/418105
Publisher URL http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/16/4323/2012/

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