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The potential role of freshwater luminescence measurements in exploring runoff pathways in upland catchments

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Malcolm Newson, Dr Andrew Baker

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Abstract

The forested Coalburn catchment (1.5 km2) in northern England experiences episodic stream acidification. To plan for sustainable management of the plantation forest cycle, an understanding is required of the flow pathways and hydrochemical routing signatures of the organic and mineral soils that make up the source areas for runoff. A tentative mixing model, based on simple water chemistry exists for the major (terrestrial) sources and buffers of acidification; it is being expanded and consolidated by a detailed approach to the organic components of runoff, via sampling and analysis of the luminescence of surface waters at the catchment outlet and in two distinctive feeder streams. Luminescence measurements are presented that permit a simple apportionment of source areas. However, the technique also appears to have potential for identifying differential flow sourcing between the acrotelm and catotelm of intact peat deposits and for clarifying the influence of forest root systems in altering the organic chemistry of infiltrating waters. Applications may include the monitoring and prediction of coloured water events for the water supply industry. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Newson M, Baker A, Mounsey S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Hydrological Processes

Year: 2001

Volume: 15

Issue: 6

Pages: 989-1002

Print publication date: 30/04/2001

ISSN (print): 0885-6087

ISSN (electronic): 1099-1085

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hyp.223

DOI: 10.1002/hyp.223

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