Watershed nutrient and sediment dynamics are well understood under baseflow conditions; however, rain events that carry most of the excess nutrients and sediment are still lacking monitoring data and the dynamics are poorly characterized. The overall purpose of this research project is to characterize the correlation between rain events and nitrogen, phosphate, and sediment concentrations in the Charlotte Creek watershed. Water samples were collected in triplicates from Charlotte Creek daily in June 2021, and before, during, and after storm events in September and October 2021. Also, a sampling campaign from all major tributary streams of Charlotte Creek was conducted in May and September 2021 in order to detect seasonal changes in water composition. Field parameters such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen were measured on-site. Turbidity as a proxy for suspended sediment concentration was also measured upon arrival to the laboratory. Then samples were filtered and preserved for nitrate and phosphate analysis, which was conducted by ion chromatography. Nitrate, phosphate, and sediment loads were estimated based on rain event size, volume of discharge and measured concentrations. Preliminary results support that Charlotte Creek’s nitrate levels immediately respond to rain events, while phosphate and sediment loads require heavier storms. These findings indicate that nitrate is mobilized with any amounts of run-off water, while phosphate is attached to sediment and only gets mobilized above a certain size run-off (rain) event. To further test these preliminary relationships between precipitation, discharge, chemical, and physical parameters, stream monitoring will continue trying to capture all types of storm events. In addition, to better understand the spatial and temporal distribution of chemical and physical signatures, the tributaries will be further characterized.

Impacts of rain events on nutrient and sediment transport in the Charlotte Creek Watershed, New York

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.