Abstract
The concentrations and stream fluxes of Na, K, Ca and Mg were determined in 1978, 1980 and 1981 in the Toolik Lake watershed and in 1978 in the upper Kuparuk River watershed. The annual export of K was strongly influenced by high K concentrations at the initiation of spring melt. Potassium concentrations were positively correlated with concentrations of particulate and dissolved organic carbon, particulate and dissolved phosphorus, and particulate, dissolved organic and ammonium nitrogen, suggesting a common origin in the decomposition of tundra plants. Calcium and Mg stream concentrations were generally highest in July and August when the depth of the soil active layer reached a maximum of ~ 0.5 m. Precipitation-derived Na and K accounted for up to half of the Na and K stream export while chemical weathering supplied ’ 85 % of exported Ca and Mg. Cation export rates in these arctic foothill watersheds are among the lowest recorded.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Barsdate, R. J. & V. Alexander, 1975. The nitrogen balance of arctic tundra: pathways, rates and environmental implications. J. envir. Qual. 4: 111–117.
Bricker, O. P., A. E. Godfrey & E. T. Cleaves, 1967. Mineral water interaction during the chemical weathering of silicates. In Trace Inorganics in Water. Adv. Chem. Series 73: 128–142. American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.
Brown, J. & R. L. Berg, 1980. Environmental engineering and ecological baseline investigations along the Yukon River-Prudhoe Bay Haul Road. CRREL Report 80–19.
Brunskill, G. J., D. M. Rosenberg, N. B. Snow, G. L. Vascatto & R. W. Wagemann, 1973. Ecological studies of aquatic systems in the MacKenzie-Porcupine drainages in relation to proposed pipeline and highway developments. Canada Task Force N. Oil Dev. Environ. Soc. Comm. Vol. II. Report 73-41. 345 pp.
Chapin, F. S. III & R. J. Barsdate, 1978. Phosphorus cycling in Alaskan coastal tundra: a hypothesis for the regulation of nutrient cycling. Oikos 31: 189–199.
Cornwell, J. C., 1983. The geochemistry of manganese, iron and phosphorus in an arctic lake. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 238 pp.
Cornwell, J. C., 1991. Manganese and iron mass balances in an arctic lake. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. (submitted).
Hamilton, T. D. & S. C. Porter, 1975. Itkillik glaciation in the Brooks Range, northern Alaska. Quat. Res. 5: 471–497.
Hawkins, D. B. & D. M. Glover, 1982. Hydrogeochemistry of the Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed. Report IWR-102. Institute of Water Resources, University of Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska.
Hobbie, J. E., 1980. Polar Limnology. In F. B. Tabu (ed), Lakes and Reservoirs. Elsevier, New York.
Hobbie, J. E., T. L. Corliss & B. J. Peterson, 1983. Seasonal patterns of bacterial abundance in an arctic lake. Arct. Alp. Res. 15: 253–259.
Johnson, N. M.,G. E. Likens, F. H. Bormann & R. S. Pierce, 1968. Rate of chemical weathering of silicate minerals in New Hampshire. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 32: 531–545
Likens, G. E., 1984. Beyond the shoreline: a watershedecosystem approach. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 1–22.
Likens, G. E., 1984. Beyond the shoreline: a watershedecosystem approach. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 1–22.
Likens, G. E., F. H. Bormann, R. S. Pierce, J. S. Eaton & N. M. Johnson, 1977. Biogeochemistry of a forested ecosystem. Springer-Verlag, New York. 146 pp.
Peterson, B. J., J. E. Hobbie & T. L. Corliss, 1986. Carbon flow in a tundra stream ecosystem. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 43: 1259–1270.
Schindler, D. W., R. W. Newbury, K. G. Beaty & P. Campbell, 1976. Natural water and chemical budgets for a small Precambrian lake basin in central Canada. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 33: 2526–2543.
Schindler, D. W., H. E. Welch, J. Kalff, G. J. Brunskill, H. Kling & N. Kritsch, 1974. Physical and chemical limnology of Char Lake, Cornwallis Island. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 31: 587–607.
USEPA, 1974. Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes. USEPA, Washington, D.C.
Velbel, M. A., 1985. Geochemical mass balances and weathering rates in forested watersheds of the southern Blue Ridge. Am. J. Sci. 285: 904–930.
Vitousek, P. M. & W. H. Reiners, 1975. Ecosystem succession and nutrient retention: a hypothesis. BioScience 25: 376–381.
Welch, H. E. & J. A. Legault, 1986. Precipitation chemistry and chemical limnology of fertilized lakes at Saqvaqjuac, N.W.T. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 43: 1104–1134.
Whalen, S. C. & J. C. Cornwell, 1985. Nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon cycling in an arctic lake. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 42: 797–808.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Cornwell, J.C. (1992). Cation export from Alaskan arctic watersheds. In: O’Brien, W.J. (eds) Toolik Lake. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 78. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2720-2_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2720-2_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5206-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2720-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive