This study investigated carbon dynamics in the hyporheic zone of a steep, forested catchment in the Cascade Mountains of western Oregon, USA. Water samples were collected monthly from a headwater stream and well network during baseflow conditions from July to December 2013 and again in March 2014. We also sampled during one fall storm event, collecting pre-storm, rising leg, and extended high flow samples. The well network is located at the base of Watershed 1 (WS1) of the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest and spans the full width of the floodplain (~14 m) along a 29 m reach of stream. We measured pH, temperature, water level, major anions, major cations, DOC, DIC, and total alkalinity. Flow paths, travel time to wells and hydraulic conductivity were available from previous studies.
Hayley Corson-Rikert, Roy Haggerty, Steven M. Wondzell
The focus of our study was to investigate inorganic and organic carbon dynamics in the hyporheic zone of a headwater catchment in the Western Cascade Mountains of Oregon. We collected water samples from a well network that spanned the full width of the riparian corridor at the base of the catchment during baseflow periods in each of 7 months. In our analysis, we sought to evaluate the influence of seasonal, physical, and biogeochemical processes on carbon cycling within this hyporheic environment.