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Drought alters the biogeochemistry of boreal stream networks

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  • Lluís Gómez-Gener

    (Umeå University
    Stream Biofilm and Ecosystem Research Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

  • Anna Lupon

    (Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC))

  • Hjalmar Laudon

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU))

  • Ryan A. Sponseller

    (Umeå University)

Abstract

Drought is a global phenomenon, with widespread implications for freshwater ecosystems. While droughts receive much attention at lower latitudes, their effects on northern river networks remain unstudied. We combine a reach-scale manipulation experiment, observations during the extreme 2018 drought, and historical monitoring data to examine the impact of drought in northern boreal streams. Increased water residence time during drought promoted reductions in aerobic metabolism and increased concentrations of reduced solutes in both stream and hyporheic water. Likewise, data during the 2018 drought revealed widespread hypoxic conditions and shifts towards anaerobic metabolism, especially in headwaters. Finally, long-term data confirmed that past summer droughts have led to similar metabolic alterations. Our results highlight the potential for drought to promote biogeochemical shifts that trigger poor water quality conditions in boreal streams. Given projected increases in hydrological extremes at northern latitudes, the consequences of drought for the health of running waters warrant attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Lluís Gómez-Gener & Anna Lupon & Hjalmar Laudon & Ryan A. Sponseller, 2020. "Drought alters the biogeochemistry of boreal stream networks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-15496-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15496-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Kevin C. Rose & Britta Bierwagen & Scott D. Bridgham & Daren M. Carlisle & Charles P. Hawkins & N. LeRoy Poff & Jordan S. Read & Jason R. Rohr & Jasmine E. Saros & Craig E. Williamson, 2023. "Indicators of the effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystems," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(3), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Tejshree Tiwari & Ryan A. Sponseller & Hjalmar Laudon, 2022. "The emerging role of drought as a regulator of dissolved organic carbon in boreal landscapes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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