Characterization of stream intermittency using real-time water sensors, time-lapse cameras, and multi-stage samplers to understand the biogeochemical implications of stream intermittency in Buck Creek, KS (USA)

Abstract:

Intermittent streams are the interface of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These temporally dry streams may be an important region of biogeochemical activity, yet they remain understudied. Intermittent streams are defined by the changes they undergo from dry-down to wet-up; these fluctuations in hydrology are created through precipitation and other water events (e.g. reservoir release, snow melt). Streams in Kansas (KS) are summarized as 47% intermittent (int) vs. 53% perennial (per) (USGS NHD 2019). Buck Creek is in northeastern KS and is 33% int and 67% per and typically has more rainfall compared with other KS streams, making it an ideal study site to assess the effects of precipitation on intermittent stream biogeochemistry. Here, we characterize how water moves through Buck Creek with Stream, Temperature, Intermittency, and Conductivity (STIC) loggers modified from HOBO Pendant temperature/light 64 K data loggers (Chapin 2014), in addition to time lapse footage of flow presence/absence, stream stage, and precipitation. We collect water using multi-stage-samplers to address initial water quality (phosphorus, nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon) upon wet up. Through data on intermittency patterns, presence/absence of water and precipitation in Buck Creek, and initial water quality data from the multi-stage samplers we gain understanding of the pulses of rain events of varying magnitudes. Our goal is to understand how precipitation events restore connectivity and potentially change biogeochemical activity and microbial community dynamics in intermittent streams.

Resources

Chapin, T. P., Todd, A. S., & Zeigler, M. P. (2014). Robust, low‐cost data loggers for stream temperature, flow intermittency, and relative conductivity monitoring. Water Resources Research, 50(8), 6542-6548.

US Geological Survey (2000). The national hydrography dataset concepts and content. http://nhd.usgs.gov/chapter1/chp1_data_users_guide.pdf. Accessed 14 July 2020.