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Harvard Forest REU Symposium Abstract 2008
- Title: Chemical Analyses Suggest Impacts of Alteration in Central Massachusetts Headwaters
- Author: Mathew D Quattrocelli (Tulane University of Louisiana)
- Abstract:
Stream ecosystems can be strongly influenced by alterations to the surrounding watershed. Presently, the unmapped headwaters of Massachusetts streams, a critical element of healthy stream function under the river continuum theory, receive no formal protection from development. To augment ongoing studies on physical characteristics of headwaters we conducted a pilot study of water chemistry in headwaters of central MA. Our intent was to establish a chemical “fingerprint” of healthy headwater streams. The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphate, sulfate, total iron, and color were measured using a spectrophotometer along a continuum that extended from 400M into the mapped reach to the terminus of the headwater. Three completely undeveloped streams in the Quabin watershed were compared to three urbanized streams in Gardner, MA to demonstrate any aberrant conditions that arise with development. Our relatively small sample size showed trends such as elevated nitrogen and color levels in urban streams and also a high degree of nutrient variability both within and between streams. We interpret the elevated nitrate in urbanized streams as a likely indicator of runoff from residential lawn fertilizers, wastewater, or automobile pollution. In light of these trends we suggest further study of headwater chemistry that encompasses organic carbon and oxygen with the goal of determining a “fingerprint” of healthy headwater streams. Our proposed study coupled with ongoing studies of physical characteristics and macro-invertebrate communities should elucidate the need, if any, for the protection of headwater streams.
- Research Category: Watershed Ecology
