Dissolved organic carbon dynamics in an urban desert stream ecosystem in central Arizona-Phoenix
Author(s):
- Jennifer Edmonds, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University
- Nancy Grimm, Arizona State University
Abstract:
Variation in stream chemistry is a function of the strength of terrestrial-aquatic linkages, the extent to which surface and groundwater exchanges, and the rate of instream biotic processes. The importance of these variables may fluctuate as a function of climate regime, catchment geomorphology, or level of human impact. A mechanistic understanding of the influence of each of these variables on ecosystem functioning will increase understanding of the role of streams in global nutrient and carbon cycles. Of particular interest is dissolved organic carbon (DOC), an important source of carbon and energy for microbial processes. Respiration by heterotrophic bacterial communities has recently been linked to the quality (ability of microbes to utilize C source) of the DOC pool in streams. DOC not only influences stream nutrient supply, but also the transport of contaminants and the attenuation of UV radiation. This dissertation focused on DOC delivery to two arid-land stream ecosystems, one native desert (Sycamore Creek, AZ), and one urban (Phoenix, AZ). The overall objectives of this work were to (1) document patterns in DOC quantity and chemical composition in response to flooding and groundwater exchange, (2) generate and test hypotheses explaining variation in DOC quantity and quality and (3) relate this variation to microbial activity. In the native desert stream ecosystem, the climate regime influenced seasonal variation in the quantity and quality of DOC inputs, with higher complexity and higher concentrations of DOC in summer monsoonal runoff. In contrast, human alteration of geomorphology and hydrologic flowpaths in the Phoenix metropolitan area significantly influenced streamwater chemistry in comparison to low-impact streams in the Sonoran Desert. In the city, mechanisms of nutrient retention and transformation were often shifted from dominance by biotic to abiotic ones, severely dampening the influence of climate regime and substituting instead the maintenance of food production and waste management as the dominant large-scale controlling factors. Patterns of microbial respiration and extracellular enzyme production indicate that the community's ability to react to changes in DOM composition may create shifts in extracellular enzyme production while maintaining relatively consistent levels of community respiration.
Keywords:
Temporal Coverage:
2000-02-04 to 2001-12-17Geographic Coverage:
Geographic Description: Rivers and canals throughout the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan areaBounding Coordinates:
Longitude:-112.776052 to -112.251819
Latitude:33.397673 to 33.223536
Contact:
Information Manager, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University,Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, POB 875402,TEMPE
caplter.data@asu.edu
Methods used in producing this dataset: Show
Data Files (9) :
Tabular: 80_artificial_substrate_porosity_1.csv
Description: parallel measurement to determine porosity of the artificial
substrate
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
replicate | ID of parallel within experiment |
float | |
wet_mass | wet mass of the sediment |
float | gram |
dry_mass | dry mass of the sediment |
float | gram |
porosity | Difference in mass before and after heating sediments in
glass vial in water volume. Unit is percent water per sediment
volume |
float | dimensionless |
Tabular: 80_bulk_density_1.csv
Description: data to calculate bulk density of soil samples
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ID | Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically
generated |
integer | |
site | site name |
string | |
replicate | ID of parallel within experiment |
float | |
dry_sed | dry mass of sediment |
float | gram |
bulk_density | Bulk density is mass of dry sediment divided by volume of
core taken |
float | kilogramPerLiter |
wet_sed | wet mass of sediment |
float | gram |
porosity | Difference in mass before and after heating sediments in
glass vial in water volume. Unit is percent water per sediment
volume |
float | dimensionless |
Tabular: 80_gw_chemisty_1.csv
Description: ground water chemistry
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ID | Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically
generated |
integer | |
category | catagory of well |
string | |
bid_well_name | well name assigned by Buckeye Irrigation
District |
string | |
adwr_number | Arizona Department of Water Resources registered well
number |
float | |
cadastral | cadastral of well (unique id) |
string | |
well_depth_ft | well depth |
float | foot |
ln_well_depth_ft | natural log of well depth |
float | foot |
well_depth_m | well depth |
float | meter |
well_use | type of well use |
string | |
issue_date | issue date |
float | Format: YYYY |
owner | owner of well |
string | |
date_sampled | date sampled |
float | Format: DD-Month-YY |
water_temp_1 | water temperature first measurement |
float | celsius |
water_temp_2 | water temperature second measurement |
float | celsius |
water_temp_3 | water temperature third measurement |
float | celsius |
water_ph_1 | pH of water first measurement |
float | dimensionless |
water_ph_2 | pH of water second measurement |
float | dimensionless |
water_ph_3 | pH of water third measurement |
float | dimensionless |
water_cond_ms_cm_1 | water conductivity first measurement |
float | millisiemensPerCentimeter |
water_cond_ms_cm_2 | water conductivity third measurement |
float | millisiemensPerCentimeter |
water_cond_ms_cm_3 | water conductivity third measurement |
float | millisiemensPerCentimeter |
srp_ug_l_1 | soluble reactive phosphorus content of first measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasP) |
float | microgramsPerLiter |
srp_ug_l_2 | soluble reactive phosphorus content of second measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasP) |
float | microgramsPerLiter |
srp_ug_l_3 | soluble reactive phosphorus content of third measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasP) |
float | microgramsPerLiter |
cl_mg_l_1 | chloride content of first measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasCl) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
cl_mg_l_2 | chloride content of second measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasCl) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
cl_mg_l_3 | chloride content of third measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasCl) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
doc_mg_l_1 | dissolved organic carbon content of first measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasC) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
doc_mg_l_2 | dissolved organic carbon content of second measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasC) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
doc_mg_l_3 | dissolved organic carbon content of third measurement
(microgramsPerLiterasCl) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
uva_mg_ l_1 | ultra violet absorbancy content of first measurement
(absorbancy per cm) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
uva_mg_ l_2 | ultra violet absorbancy content of second measurement
(absorbancy per cm) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
uva_mg_ l_3 | ultra violet absorbancy content of third measurement
(absorbancy per cm) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
suva_ mg_l_1 | specific ultra violet absorbancy content of first
measurement (absorbancy per cm per mg DOC) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
suva_ mg_l_2 | specific ultra violet absorbancy content of second
measurement (absorbancy per cm per mg DOC) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
suva_ mg_l_3 | specific ultra violet absorbancy content of third
measurement (absorbancy per cm per mg DOC) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
nh4_mg_l_1 | ammonium content in first measurement
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
nh4_mg_l_2 | ammonium content in second measurement
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
nh4_mg_l_3 | ammonium content in third measurement
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
no3_mg_l_1 | nitrate content in first measurement
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
no3_mg_l_2 | nitrate content in second measurement
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
no3_mg_l_3 | nitrate content in third measurement
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
Tabular: 80_respiration_data_1.csv
Description: sediment respiration measurements
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ID | Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically
generated |
integer | |
site | site name |
string | |
sample_date | date sample was taken in the field |
datetime | Format: DD-Mounth-YY |
substrate_type | substrate type (natural or
artificial) |
string | |
chamber_num | chamber number |
float | |
initial_do_mg_l | Initial dissolved oxygen |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
final_do_mg_l | Final dissolved oxygen |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
initial_temp_c | Initial temperature |
float | celsius |
final_temp_c | final temperature |
float | celsius |
dur_incubation_hr | duration of incubation |
float | hour |
vol_h2o | volume of water |
float | liter |
mg_do_h | dissolved oxygen consumed per hour |
float | milligramsPerHour |
wet_mass | wet mass |
float | gram |
wet_mass_biolog_ctc | wet mass used for extracting bacteria to use for Biolog
plates and CTC analysis. CTC stands for5-cyano-2,3,-ditolyl tetrazolium
chloride; CTC dye is used to determine the percentage of the bacterial
population that is actively respiring |
float | gram |
porosity | Difference in mass before and after heating sediments in
glass vial in water volume. Unit is percent water per sediment
volume |
float | dimensionless |
dry_mass_g | dry mass |
float | gram |
do_day_dry_m | dissolved oxygen consumed per day per gram dry
mass |
float | milligramPerDayPerGram |
do_day_dry_m_l_2mm | dissolved oxygen per day per gram dry mass for sediments
with less than 2mm diameter |
float | milligramPerDayPerGram |
bulk_density_kg_l | Bulk density is mass of dry sediment divided by volume of
core taken |
float | kilogramPerLiter |
do_day | dissolved oxygen per day per gram dry mass of
sediment |
float | milligramPerDayPerGram |
do_day_l_2mm | dissolved oxygen per day per gram dry mass of sediment that
is less than 2 millimeters in diameter |
float | milligramPerDayPerGram |
mass_dry_sed_g | mass of dry sediment. For Ash Free Dry Mass
Determination |
float | gram |
mass_ashed_sed_g | mass of ashed sediment |
float | gram |
per_om_sed | percent organic matter in sediment |
float | dimensionless |
do_hour_afdm | dissolved oxygen per hour per gram Ash Free Dry
Mass |
float | milligram |
g_oc_m2 | organic carbon per meters squared of sediment. Assuming a
depth of 5 cm into the hyporheic (sediment) zone |
float | gramsPerMeterSquared |
Tabular: 80_sediment_particle_size_om_1.csv
Description:
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ID | Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically
generated |
integer | |
site | site name |
string | |
sample_date | date sample was taken |
datetime | Format: MM/DD/YYYY |
rep | ID of parallel within experiment |
string | |
seive_pore_size | sieve pore size in millimeters |
string | |
wgt_empty_sieve | weight of empty sieve |
float | gram |
mass_sieve_1 | mass of sediments in sieve number one plus weight of empty
sieve |
float | gram |
mass_sieve_2 | mass of sediments in sieve number two plus weight of empty
sieve |
float | gram |
mass_sieve_3 | mass of sediments in sieve number three plus weight of
empty sieve |
float | gram |
mass_sieve_4 | mass of sediments in sieve number four plus weight of empty
sieve |
float | gram |
mass_sieve_5 | mass of sediments in sieve number five plus weight of empty
sieve |
float | gram |
mass_sieve_6 | mass of sediments in sieve number six plus weight of empty
sieve |
float | gram |
cor_mass_seive_1 | corrected mass of sediments in sieve number one (total mass
minus mass of empty sieve) |
float | gram |
cor_mass_seive_2 | corrected mass of sediments in sieve number
two |
float | gram |
cor_mass_seive_3 | corrected mass of sediments in sieve number
three |
float | gram |
cor_mass_seive_4 | corrected mass of sediments in sieve number
four |
float | gram |
cor_mass_seive_5 | corrected mass of sediments in sieve number
five |
float | gram |
cor_mass_seive_6 | corrected mass of sediments in sieve number
six |
float | gram |
t_mass_sample | total mass in all sieves |
float | gram |
per_sed_2mm | percent of sediments with a diameter of greater than
2mm |
float | dimensionless |
per_sed_1mm | percent of sediments with a diameter of greater than
1mm |
float | dimensionless |
per_sed_0_5mm | percent of sediments with a diameter of greater than 0.5
mm |
float | dimensionless |
per_sed_0_246mm | percent of sediments with a diameter of greater than 0.246
millimeters |
float | dimensionless |
per_sed_0_061mm | percent of sediments with a diameter of greater than 0.061
millimeters |
float | dimensionless |
per_sed_l_0_061mm | percent of sediments with a diameter of less than 0.061
millimeters |
float | dimensionless |
sed_l2mm | fraction of sediments with a diameter of less than 2
millimeters |
float | dimensionless |
sedi_l2mm | average fraction of sediments with a diameter of less than
2 millimeters |
float | dimensionless |
size | size of sediments |
float | dimensionless |
Tabular: 80_sedimentfromgilariverat115_1.csv
Description: Sediment From Gila River At Site 115
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
replicate | ID of parallel within experiment |
float | |
wet_mass | wet mass of sediments |
float | gram |
dry_mass | dry mass of sediments |
float | gram |
porosity | Difference in mass before and after heating sediments in
glass vial in water volume. Unit is percent water per sediment
volume |
float | dimensionless |
Tabular: 80_sites_1.csv
Description: sites at which samples were taken
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
site_id | site id number |
integer | |
site_name | site name |
string |
Tabular: 80_tss_data_tds_1.csv
Description: Total Suspended Solids and total dissolved solids
data
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ID | Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically
generated |
integer | |
site | site name |
string | |
sample_date | date sampled |
datetime | Format: DD-Month-YY |
rep | ID of parallel within experiment |
string | |
ashed_beaker_only_g | weight of ashed beaker only |
float | gram |
beaker_with_sample_g | weight of ashed beaker with sample |
float | gram |
tds_g_L | total dissolved solids |
float | gramsPerLiter |
ashed_filter_g | weight of ashed filter |
float | gram |
dry_mass_p_fil_g | dry mass and ashed filter weight |
float | gram |
dry_mass_g | dry mass |
float | gram |
vol_water_fil_ml | volume of filtered water |
float | milliliter |
tss_mg_l | Total Suspended Solids |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
div_fil_p_dry_mass_g | divided filter weight and dry mass |
float | gram |
dry_mass_div_fil_g | dry mass on divided filter |
float | gram |
ash_mass_p_fil_g | ashed mass plus filter weight |
float | gram |
afdm_g | Ash Free Dry Mass |
float | gram |
om_per_tss | percent organic matter in Total Suspended
Solids |
float | dimensionless |
Tabular: 80_water_chemistry_1.csv
Description: concentration of chemical in water
Column | Description | Type | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ID | Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically
generated |
integer | |
site | site name |
string | |
sample_date | date sampled |
datetime | Format: DD-Month-YY |
rep | ID of parallel within experiment |
string | |
day | julian day of year |
float | |
num_gw_wells | number of groundwater wells pumping on a given sampling
date |
integer | |
dischage | water discharge |
integer | cubicMetersPerSecond |
doc | dissolved organic carbon |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
doc_k | dissolved organic carbon to potassium ratio. Units
milligramPerliter over milligrams PerLiter |
integer | dimensionless |
doc_per_flow | dissolved organic carbon as a percent at the DOC
concentration at the head of flowpath |
integer | dimensionless |
doc_dec_flow | decrease in dissolved organic carbon along the flowpath as
a percent of the DOC concentration at head of flowpath |
integer | dimensionless |
doc_dec_rel_flow | dissolved organic carbon decrease relative to head of
flowpath |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
uva | ultra violet absorbancy. Unit per
centimeter |
integer | dimensionless |
arti_sub_resp | Artificial Substrate Respiration. Units milligram dissolved
oxygen per day per gram Artificial Substrate |
integer | dimensionless |
suva | specific ultra violet absorbancy. units are per cm per mg
Dissolved Organic Carbon |
integer | dimensionless |
tdp | total dissolved phosphorus
(milligramsPerLiterasP) |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
tdn | total dissolved nitrogen
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
don | dissolved organic nitrogen
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
don_per | dissolved organic nitrogen percentage of total dissolved
nitrogen. Units milligramsPerLiter over
milligramsPerLiter |
integer | dimensionless |
dop | dissolved organic phosphorus
(milligramsPerLiterasP) |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
dop_per | dissolved organic phosphorus percentage of total dissolved
phosphorus. Units milligramsPerLiter over
milligramsPerLiter |
integer | dimensionless |
dom_c_n_dom | molarity ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the dissolved
organic nitrogen pool |
integer | dimensionless |
dom_c_p_dom | molarity ratio of carbon to phosphorus in the dissolved
organic nitrogen pool |
integer | dimensionless |
dom_n_p | molarity ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus in the
water |
integer | dimensionless |
din_dip | molarity ratio of dissolved Inorganic nitrogen to dissolved
Inorganic phosphorus in the water |
float | dimensionless |
nh4 | ammonium concentration
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
no3 | nitrate ion found
(milligramsPerLiterasN) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
po4_ug_l | phosphate ion found
(milligramsPerLiterasP) |
integer | microgramsPerLiter |
po4__mg_l | phosphate concentration |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
bromide_mg_l | bromide concentration |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
sulfate_mg_l | sulfate ion found
(milligramsPerLiterasSO4) |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
per_so4_flow | sulfate in a sample as a percentage of the sulfate
concentration at head of flowpath. Unit milligramsPerLiterover
milligramsPerLiter |
integer | dimensionless |
cl_mg_l | Chloride concentration |
float | milligramsPerLiter |
per_cl_flow | percent chloride in sample as a function of the chloride
concentration at the head of flowpath. Unit milligramsPerLiterover
milligramsPerLiter |
integer | dimensionless |
calcium | calcium found |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
na | sodium found |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
k | potassium found |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
per_k_flow | percent potassium in a sample as a function of the K
concentration at the head of flowpath. Unit milligramsPerLiterover
milligramsPerLiter |
integer | dimensionless |
mg | Magnesium found |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
so4_cl_mol_ratio | molar ratio of sulfate to chloride |
integer | dimensionless |
so4_mg_mol_ratio | molar ratio of sulfate to magnesium |
integer | dimensionless |
mg_cl_mol_ratio | molar ratio of magnesium over
chloride |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
mg_k_mol_ratio | molar ratio of magnesium to potassium |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
so4_k_mol_ratio | molar ratio of sulfate to potassium |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
cl_k_mol_ratio | molar ratio of chloride to potassium |
integer | milligramsPerLiter |
pco2 | partial pressure of CO2 in water |
integer | microatmosphere |
int450 | intensity of a sample at 450 nm wavelength when excited in
a fluorometer at an excitation wavelength of 370 |
integer | candela |
int500 | intensity of a sample at 500 nm wavelength when excited in
a fluorometer at an excitation wavelength of 370 |
integer | candela |
f1 | fluorometeric index; it is the ratio of the intensity at
450 nm divided by the intensity at 500 nm |
integer | dimensionless |
unfil_cod | Chemical oxygen demand for unfiltered water
samples |
integer | dimensionless |
fil_cod | Chemical oxygen demand for water samples filtered through a
Whatman GF/F filter The result is expressed in grams of Chemical oxygen
demand per gram of tested substance |
integer | dimensionless |
adj_unfil_cod | Chemical oxygen demand for unfilterd water samples. The
result is expressed in grams of Chemical oxygen demand per gram of tested
substance |
integer | dimensionless |
adj_fil_cod | adjusted chemical oxygen demand for water samples filtered
through a Whatman GF/F. The result is expressed in grams of Chemical oxygen
demand per gram of tested substance |
integer | dimensionless |
pos_flowpath | position along flowpath |
integer | dimensionless |