Water chemistry data for a forest clearcutting and residual biomass removal study at the Marcell Experimental Forest

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: McCarter, Colin P. R.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Haynes, Kristine M.
Originator: Huang, Haiyong (Planck)
Originator: Larson, John T.
Originator: Oleheiser, Keith C.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Water chemistry data for a forest clearcutting and residual biomass removal study at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2021-0007
Description:
Abstract:
This data publication contains chemical measurements from a hillslope forest harvesting study that occurred between 2010-2013. The study follows a before-after-control-impact design, with measurements collected two years pre-harvest and two years post-harvest on a hillslope in the S7 research watershed at the USDA Marcell Experimental Forest, Minnesota, USA. The north-facing hillslope in the S7 watershed has a mean slope of ~18° that drains into a peatland at the toe of the slope. The hillslope was divided into three treatment blocks: 1) an Unharvested Control that was not harvested, 2) a Biomass Left hillslope where residual biomass remained on the ground, and 3) a Biomass Removed hillslope where residual biomass was harvested. Prior to harvesting the forest cover was mixed northern hardwoods, predominately comprised of sugar maple (Acer saccharum), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). During 2011 (pre-harvest) and 2012 (post-harvest) enriched stable mercury isotopes were applied during light spring rain fall events to add a tracer for the assessment of changes in recently deposited mercury mobility due to forestry practices. The data consists of aqueous total mercury (THg), anion (chloride and sulfate), dissolved organic carbon, and cation (aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, silicon, sodium, and strontium) concentrations in subsurface runoff water. Daily solute yields in runoff from each hillslope plot were calculated for each solute.
Purpose:
These data were collected as part of a hillslope-scale forestry experiment to determine the effects of residual biomass removal on hillslope hydrology and mercury mobilization.
Supplemental_Information:
These data were published on 02/19/2021. On 03/28/2022 minor metadata updates were made, which included updating the citation for a newly published article.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 201003
Ending_Date: 201311
Currentness_Reference:
Ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
The USDA Forest Service Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) is an 1140-hectare tract of land located 40 kilometers (km) north of Grand Rapids in Balsam Township, Itasca County, Minnesota, USA (\Supplements\S7_Map.tif). The bounding coordinates are the maximum extents of western, eastern, northern, and southern corners of research area in the S7 catchment at the Marcell Experimental Forest.
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -93.470
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -93.469
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.522
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.521
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme_Keyword: inlandWaters
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
Theme_Keyword: Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment
Theme_Keyword: Hydrology, watersheds, sedimentation
Theme_Keyword: Landscape ecology
Theme_Keyword: Forest Products
Theme_Keyword: Bioenergy and biomass
Theme_Keyword: Natural Resource Management & Use
Theme_Keyword: Agroforestry
Theme_Keyword: Landscape management
Theme_Keyword: Timber
Theme_Keyword: Water
Theme_Keyword: Forest management
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: mercury
Theme_Keyword: sulphate
Theme_Keyword: forestry
Theme_Keyword: hillslope
Theme_Keyword: runoff
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Marcell Experimental Forest
Place_Keyword: Balsam Township
Place_Keyword: Itasca County
Place_Keyword: Minnesota
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

McCarter, Colin P. R.; Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Eggert, Susan L.; Haynes, Kristine M.; Huang, Haiyong (Planck); Larson, John T.; Oleheiser, Kristine C.; Kolka, Randall K.; Mitchell, Carl P. J. 2021. Water chemistry data for a forest clearcutting and residual biomass removal study at the Marcell Experimental Forest. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2021-0007
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Stephen Sebestyen
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station
Contact_Position: Research Hydrologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 1831 Hwy 169 East
City: Grand Rapids
State_or_Province: MN
Postal_Code: 55744
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 218-326-7108
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: stephen.sebestyen@usda.gov
Data_Set_Credit:
Funding for this project was provided by the Great Lakes Air Deposition Program (GLAD 2010-7) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (funding reference number 355866-18). The Northern Research Station (NRS) of the USDA Forest Service paid for forest harvesting, and funded the salaries of SDS, SLE, JTL, KCO, and RKK.

The lead author, CPRM (McMaster University), compiled the data. CPRM and SDS wrote the metadata (NRS) with additional text from CPJM and HH (University of Toronto).

Deacon Kyllander, Carrie Dorrance, Nate Aspelin, Josh Kragthorpe, Reid Peterson, Leigh Kastenson, Paul Watson, Ross Bentson, Mike Palmer, Doris Nelson, Nicole King, Gerrard Graves, Donna Olson, and Anne Timm (NRS), and Jeromie Geroatte and Stephen Stalheim of the US Job Corps assisted with field work. Leigh Kastenson, Reid Peterson, and Ben Munson collected most water samples, with assistance from CPJM and KMH.

Maxwell Mazur and KMH (both at the University of Toronto, at the time) led some of the field work and initial data compilation. Mazur is now with Alberta Environment and Parks. KMH is now at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Mr. Dwight Streblow (NRS, retired, an independent forestry contractor at the time of the study) harvested the plots in 2012.

Mercury concentrations were measured at the University of Toronto, Scarborough, Canada. HH (University of Toronto) oversaw mercury-related chemistry measurements at the University of Toronto, with assistance from KMH and Maxwell Mazur).

Anion and cation concentrations were measured at the USDA Forest Service Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Grand Rapids, MN. JTL oversaw chemistry measurements at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory and analyzed samples for TOC and anion concentrations. KCO (now with Xcel Engineering, Oak Ridge, TN) analyzed samples for cation concentrations.
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Haynes, Kristine M.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2012
Title:
Inter-annual and spatial variability in hillslope runoff and mercury flux during spring snowmelt
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Environmental Monitoring
Issue_Identification: 14(8): 2083-2091
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1039/C2EM30267E
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Mazur, M.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Originator: Eckley, C. S.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Swain, E. B.
Publication_Date: 2014
Title:
Gaseous mercury fluxes from forest soils in response to forest harvesting intensity: A field manipulation experiment
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Science of The Total Environment
Issue_Identification: 496: 678-687
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.06.058
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/46826
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: McCarter, Colin P. R.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Changes in hillslope hydrology in a perched, shallow soil system due to clearcutting and residual biomass removal
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Hydrological Processes
Issue_Identification: 4: 5354-5369
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13948
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/61505
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: McCarter, Colin P. R.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Differential subsurface mobilization of ambient mercury and isotopically enriched mercury tracers in a harvested and residue harvested hardwood forest in northern Minnesota
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Biogeochemistry
Issue_Identification: 154: 119-138
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-021-00801-y
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/62459
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: McCarter, Colin P. R.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Hyanes, Kristine M.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Hydrological data and site feature information for a forest clearcutting and residual biomass removal study at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0049
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
\Data\WaterChem.csv

Analytical precision (mean relative standard deviation of replicate samples) was: 2.0% for total Hg for samples from 2010-2013. Detection limit for aqueous total Hg for samples 2010-2013 was 0.2 nanograms per Liter (ng L⁻¹).

Total abundances of the aqueous mercury-200 (T²⁰⁰Hg) and mercury-204 (T²⁰⁴Hg) were measured. For enriched abundance mercury (Hg) tracers, analytical precision from 2011-2013 was:
6.3% for excess total abundance of the Hg-200 isotope (T²⁰⁰Hg).
3.8% for excess total abundance of the Hg-204 isotope (T²⁰⁴Hg).

If values for anion, cation, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in reference standards deviated by more than 5% from the known value, batches of samples were reanalyzed until within 5% of the known value. Analytical duplicates (1 duplicate every 10 samples) were accepted if < 10% relative deviation between duplicates.

The method detection limits for anion, cation, and DOC concentrations were:
0.01 milligram (mg) chlorine L⁻¹ for chloride concentration.
0.03 mg sulfate L⁻¹ for sulfate concentration from 2010-2012 and 0.02 mg sulfate L⁻¹ for sulfate samples during 2013. The change in detection limit reflects the acquisition and use of a new ion chromatograph for samples collected during 2013.
1.00 mg carbon L⁻¹ for DOC concentrations from 2010-2012 and 0.5 mg carbon L⁻¹ for DOC concentrations from 2013.
0.01 mg aluminum L⁻¹ for aluminum concentrations.
0.05 mg calcium L⁻¹ for calcium concentrations.
0.05 mg iron L⁻¹ for iron concentrations.
0.50 mg potassium L⁻¹ for potassium concentrations.
0.05 mg magnesium L⁻¹ for magnesium concentrations.
0.01 mg manganese L⁻¹ for manganese concentrations.
0.10 mg sodium L⁻¹ for sodium concentrations.
0.05 mg silicon L⁻¹ for silicon concentrations.
0.01 mg strontium L⁻¹ for strontium concentrations.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
\Data\WaterChem.csv

For samples analyzed for THg at the University of Toronto laboratory:

Spike solutions were prepared by adding known amount of standard solutions obtained from J.T.Baker (Fisher Scientific) into replicate water samples. Spike recovery of a spiked sample was assessed by the ratio between the measured Hg concentration and the theoretical Hg concentration of the spiked sample. If check or spike samples differed by more than 20%, a batch of samples since the last successful check or spike was re-analyzed.

Spike recoveries for THg in water were overall 96 ± 8% for successful batches of samples. Method detection limits were 0.20 ng THg L⁻¹, 0.03 ng excess T²⁰⁰Hg L⁻¹ and 0.01 ng excess T²⁰⁴Hg L⁻¹.

For samples analyzed in the Forestry Sciences Chemistry Laboratory, Grand Rapids, Minnesota:

Check and reference solutions were made in volumetric flasks with deionized water (18.0 milliohms per centimeter [MΩ cm⁻¹]). When check standards differed by more than 5% from actual certified values, a batch of samples was reanalyzed. When particular samples were higher in concentration than the highest calibration standard, those samples were diluted and re-run until within the range of the calibration standards.

Anion concentrations (chloride and sulfate) were measured by ion chromatography. Check standards for chloride and sulfate concentration measurement were prepared from Alltech Associates, Inc (Deerfield, IL) 2697111 lot #ALLT218090 and ERA 981 Multi-Anion Mix #2 (Complex Nutrients, WasteWatRTM Quality Control; Golden, CO).

Cation (aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, silicon, sodium, and strontium) concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Check standards for cation concentration measurement were prepared from Ultra Scientific Combined Quality Standard IQC-026 (Kingston, Rhode Island) lot P00854.
Completeness_Report:
\Data\WaterChem.csv

To document when a sample was collected, we include a laboratory ID, sample name, and date/time of collection. Sometimes chemistry values are blank for individual solutes or for all analytes, which may have resulted from insufficient sample volume to complete all analyses, contamination that affected individual solutes or suites of analytes that were simultaneously measured on a single instrument for a particular sample, or contamination that affected all solutes for a particular sample.

Data values below the detection limit are reported in the data file and are not flagged. Detection limits, as listed above, must be considered when using these data.


\Data\DailySoluteYields.csv

A daily value is reported when there was a runoff measurement with a paired water sample, or periods around samples of about 10 days. However, since these hillslopes had intermittent subsurface flow, no flow periods were treated as a break in the concentration record and yield calculations were determined by the next concentration value. If no concentration value exists for a given flow event, no yield was calculated. In these cases, data between hillslopes were truncated to ensure comparability between hillslopes.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodolgy_Identifier:
Methodolgy_Keyword_Thesaurus:
None
Methodology_Keyword: cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (CV-AFS)
Methodology_Keyword: inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Methodology_Keyword: isotope dilution
Methodology_Keyword: ion chromatography (IC)
Methodology_Keyword: trace metal
Methodology_Keyword: mercury (Hg)
Methodology_Description:
STUDY DESIGN

The S7 catchment is located on the South Unit of the USDA Marcell Experimental Forest, Minnesota (\Supplements\S7_Map.tif). The Marcell Experimental Forest is located in a sub-humid continental climate with an average temperature of 3.4 degrees Celsius and annual precipitation of approximately 787 millimeters (mm), of which 156 – 195 mm falls as snow (Sebestyen et al. 2021).

The sampling occurred on the north-facing upland hillslope of the S7 catchment. Water chemistry samples were collected regularly from 2010 to 2013. The hillslope overstory vegetation, prior to harvest, was primarily comprised of sugar maple (Acer saccharum), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). The study site has a mean slope of ~18° and mean slope length (ridge to peatland) of ~55 meters (m). The organic horizon in the soil profile is relatively shallow (generally < 2 cm) with little year-to-year litter persistence. Soils are composed of an upper, permeable loess sandy loam horizon with a mean depth of 50 ± 27 cm over a low-permeability Koochiching clay loam till. The hillslope was delineated into three adjacent hillslope plots (Biomass Removed hillslope, Biomass Left hillslope, and Unharvested Control hillslope), each draining through a separate runoff trench that collected subsurface runoff at the toe slope landscape position (\Supplements\HillslopeMap.tif and \Supplements\RunoffCollectorDiagram.tif).

The experimental design follows a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) approach wherein all hillslopes were simultaneously monitored for nearly two years (March 2010 through March 2012) before harvest, and again for approximately 1.75 years after harvest (March 2012 through November 2013). In March 2012, two of the three hillslopes were mechanically clearcut over frozen soils with relatively shallow snow cover. One forested plot was maintained as the Unharvested Control hillslope. On one of the harvested hillslope areas, approximately 85% of residual biomass was removed both by machine and then additionally by hand after forest harvesting (Biomass Removed). Residual biomass was left on the forest floor at the other harvested hillslope (Biomass Left). Enriched stable mercury isotopes were sprayed during light spring rain precipitation in 2011 (T²⁰⁰Hg) and 2012 (T²⁰⁴Hg) to observe changes in mercury mobilization due to forestry operations.

The experiment consisted of an interdisciplinary approach to determining cumulative environmental effects of residual biomass harvesting on mercury mobilization and cycling both on the hillslope and the downgradient peatland.

Initial studies prior to harvest focused on THg mobilization from unharvested hillslopes during the spring freshet (Haynes and Mitchell 2012). The impact of harvesting and residual biomass removal on the hydrological function was assessed by McCarter et al. (2020). This prior research underpins work of McCarter et al. (2021) on the mobilization of ambient and legacy mercury pools on the unharvested and harvested hillslopes using enriched stable mercury isotope tracers. Changes to atmospheric-soil mercury exchange due to harvesting and residual biomass removal was also determined using enriched stable mercury isotope tracers by Mazur et al. (2014).



FIELD COLLECTION AND SAMPLE PREPARATION (\Data\WaterChem.csv)

Water samples were taken using a modified event-based sampling regime, where approximately weekly sampling occurred with higher resolution sampling during precipitation events and snowmelt.

Water sampling for mercury analysis followed ultra-trace sampling protocols (US EPA 1996, Method 1669). Samples for mercury analyses were collected in two 125-milliter (mL) polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) bottles or one 250-mL PETG bottle. Bottles were triple-rinsed with sample water, the rinses were discarded, and the sample bottle was then filled. Samples for anion, DOC, and cation concentration analyses were placed in iced coolers upon collection.

In the field laboratory at the Marcell Research Center, an aliquot of each water sample was filtered into another new PETG bottle for mercury analysis. Water samples were vacuum-filtered through pre-ashed 0.7 micrometer (μm) glass microfiber filters. Any part of the filter apparatus that contacted the sample was made of acid-washed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to minimize adsorption of Hg to the filter apparatus. Between each sample, the apparatus was flushed with 18.0 MΩ cm⁻¹ Milli-Q (Elix 3, Millipore Corporation, Burlington, Massachusetts) deionized water.

Samples for mercury analysis were preserved via the addition of 0.5% by volume trace metal-grade hydrochloric acid (HCl) and stored cold and in the dark in double zip-sealed plastic bags. All water samples were sampled into PETG bottles and refrigerated until analysis.

Samples for anion, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and cation concentration measurements were filtered into new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles. Water samples were vacuum-filtered through pre-ashed 0.7 μm glass microfiber filters. Samples were returned to iced coolers or a refrigerator until transferred from the Marcell Research Center at the Marcell Experimental Forest to a walk-in cooler for storage until analysis at the Forestry Science Laboratory in Grand Rapids, MN. Total organic carbon (TOC) for samples from 2010 were analyzed on an identical instrument at the University of Toronto instead of the Grand Rapids Laboratory.

CHEMISTRY ANALYSES

Aqueous THg was analyzed using an automated Tekran Instruments, Inc. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Model 2600 using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (CV-AFS) following US EPA Method 1631. Briefly, samples were oxidized overnight with potassium bromine monochloride and neutralized with hydroxylamine hydrochloride prior to analysis. Stannous chloride was used to reduce the Hg²⁺ to Hg⁰. The Hg⁰ was then purged from the solution and captured on a dual gold trap amalgamation. Thermal desorption was then used to liberate the mercury from the gold traps and quantified using atomic fluorescence detection.

Enriched abundance Hg isotopes were used as tracers of mercury mobilization and methylation during the experiment. Total abundances of the aqueous mercury-200 (T²⁰⁰Hg) and mercury-204 (T²⁰⁴Hg) were measured. Quantification of all THg isotope tracers was the same as above but with the Tekran 2600 hyphenated to an Agilent Technologies, Inc. (Santa Clara, California) 7700x Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) for detection of the individual enriched isotope. The excess of each isotope tracer was determined by a matrix of isotope ratio calculations according to the methods of Hintelmann and Ogrinc (2002).

Concentrations of DOC were measured by high-temperature combustion on Shimadzu TOC-V CPH analyzers from 2010 to 2012 and a Shimadzu TOC-VCP for samples collected during 2013. Concentrations were measured as total carbon minus inorganic carbon (TC-IC) before June 2010 and as non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC) after that. NPOC was measured by high-temperature combustion (Standard Method 5310-B, APHA 2017) using potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) for reference and check standards. Sebestyen et al. (2020) show total organic carbon concentration is equivalent to DOC concentration (\Supplements\TOC-DOC_comparison.pdf) and that the TC-IC and NPOC are comparable to within 10% relative error as a measure of TOC concentration (\Supplements\TOC-NPOC_comparison.pdf) in similar waters that were collected at the nearby S2 (< 1 km) and S6 (adjacent) research catchments at the Marcell Experimental Forest. We consider the two instruments and methods to be equivalent for our sites.

Anion (chloride and sulfate) concentrations were measured using suppressed conductivity and conductimetric detection (Standard Method 4110-C, APHA 2017) after injection through 20 micrometer (µm) filter caps on a Dionex (Sunnyvale, CA) DX-500 ion chromatograph with an IonPac AG14 pre-column and an AS14 column. The method detection limits were 0.01 mg chlorine L⁻¹ for chloride and 0.02 mg sulfate L⁻¹.

Cation (aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, silicon, sodium, and strontium) concentrations were analyzed by ICP-OES. The instrument was a Thermo Scientific ICAP 7600 Duo. Standard Method 3120 (APHA 2017) was used and the method detection limits are listed in the Attribute Accuracy Report.

For each type of laboratory measurement, every tenth sample was run in duplicate. For anion, DOC, and cation concentration measurement these analytical duplicates were followed by two reference standards. For mercury, two to three reference check standards were run per analytical run, approximately one check and two reference standards per 10 samples.



CALCULATIONS (\Data\DailySoluteYields.csv)

The solute yields of some, but not all solutes in subsurface runoff were calculated as,

Yield = Q ∙ Conc, Eq 1

where, Yield is the total yield of a given solute (mass time⁻¹), Q is the total daily runoff (volume time⁻¹), and Conc is the average concentration of a given solute taken between two sampling points (mass volume⁻¹). If measured Q coincided with a Conc measurement, then the measured Conc value was used in the calculation of the yield. Given the short time between samples, typically < 10 days, no time-weighted averaging was used. However, if the time between measurements was > 10 days and the runoff fell to zero at any point in that time period, the load calculation was terminated until flow resumed. The next Conc value was used to calculate yield after flow resumption. Yields were calculated for solutes that are presented and discussed in McCarter et al. (2021) for THg, DOC, sulfate, excess ²⁰⁰Hg, and excess ²⁰⁴Hg for 2011 and 2012.

The proportion of ambient mercury of the total measured mercury was determined as,

P_amb = Hg_amb / (Hg_amb + Hg_tracer), Eq 2

where, P_amb was the proportion of ambient mercury relative to the total measured mercury for a given sample, Hg_amb was the ambient mercury yield (mass time⁻¹), Hg_tracer was the yield of either the tracer T²⁰⁰Hg or T²⁰⁴Hg (mass time⁻¹) for a given year (i.e., T²⁰⁰Hg for 2011 and T²⁰⁴Hg for 2012-2013).

Each solute concentration and yield at the treatment sites (Biomass Removed and Biomass Left hillslopes) were normalized to the corresponding temporal measurement from the Unharvested Control hillslope by determining the treatment ratio (TR; Conner et al. 2016).

TR = Treatment/Unharvested, Eq 3

where, Treatment is the measurement at a given treatment site and Unharvested is the same temporally paired measurement at the Unharvested Control hillslope.
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Haynes, Kristine M.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2012
Title:
Inter-annual and spatial variability in hillslope runoff and mercury flux during spring snowmelt
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Environmental Monitoring
Issue_Identification: 14(8): 2083-2091
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1039/C2EM30267E
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: McCarter, Colin P. R.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Changes in hillslope hydrology in a perched, shallow soil system due to clearcutting and residual biomass removal
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Hydrological Processes
Issue_Identification: 4: 5354-5369
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13948
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/61505
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: McCarter, Colin P. R.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Differential subsurface mobilization of ambient mercury and isotopically enriched mercury tracers in a harvested and residue harvested hardwood forest in northern Minnesota
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Biogeochemistry
Issue_Identification: 154: 119-138
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-021-00801-y
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/62459
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Maxur, M.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Originator: Eckley, C. S.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Swain, E. B.
Publication_Date: 2014
Title:
Gaseous mercury fluxes from forest soils in response to forest harvesting intensity: A field manipulation experiment
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Science of The Total Environment
Issue_Identification: 496: 678-687
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.06.058
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/46826
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication_Date: 1996
Title:
Method 1669: Sampling ambient water for trace metals at EPA water quality criteria levels
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Washington, D.C.
Publisher: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Other_Citation_Details:
35 pages
Online_Linkage: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS44979
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Hintelmann, Holger
Originator: Ogrinc, Nives
Publication_Date: 2002
Title:
Determination of stable mercury isotopes by icp/ms and their application in environmental studies
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: book chapter
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Biogeochemistry of environmentally important trace elements
Issue_Identification: 835
Publication_Information:
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Other_Citation_Details:
Chapter 21, pp. 321-338
ISBN13: 9780841238053
eISBN: 9780841219373
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2003-0835.ch021
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: American Public Health Association (APHA)
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
Standards methods for the examination of water and wastewater
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Standard Method
Issue_Identification: 5310 C, 4110 C, 3120
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Washington, D.C.
Publisher: American Public Health
Online_Linkage: https://www.standardmethods.org/
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Conner, Mary M.
Originator: Saunders, W. Carl
Originator: Bouwes, Nicolaas
Originator: Jordan, Chris
Publication_Date: 2016
Title:
Evaluating impacts using a BACI design, ratios, and a Bayesian approach with a focus on restoration
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Issue_Identification: 188: 555
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5526-6
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Funke, Meghan M.
Originator: Cotner, James B.
Originator: Larson, John T.
Originator: Aspelin, Nathan A.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Water chemistry data for studies of the biodegradability of dissolved organic matter in peatland catchments at the Marcell Experimental Forest: 2009-2011
Edition: 2nd
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0067-2
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Lany, Nina K.
Originator: Roman, D. Tyler
Originator: Burdick, Jacob M.
Originator: Kyllander, Richard
Originator: Verry, Elon S.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Hydrological and meteorological data from research catchments at the Marcell Experimental Forest
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Hydrological Processes
Issue_Identification: 35(3): e14092
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14092
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
At the University of Toronto, each water sample was tracked by analysis using the unique sample ID of a sample. These sample IDs are not provided in this data publication. The sample IDs were assigned with a unique study area (S7) followed by the 2-digit year of the study and a unique integer starting from 1 (e.g., S7-10 2). After samples for Hg analysis were transported to the University of Toronto (Scarborough) laboratory, samples were stored in 4° Celsius fridge until further processed. All raw data of the analytical results, such as sequences, batch, methods, peak areas and calibration curves, generated by proprietary manufacturer software were exported into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and both formats of results were saved in the analytical instrument dedicated computers.

The Microsoft Excel format results were also transferred to a lab-owned computer for further data processing. The processed data, including final sample concentrations and quality assured/quality controlled (QA/QC) data, were stored in the lab-owned computer, as well as in other external hard drives for backup. All data were organized based on the analysis dates and can be easily accessed via the detailed description made on the working templates on the processing dates.

Professor Carl P.J. Mitchell (CPJM) supervised the entire analysis. Lab technician Haiyong (Planck) Huang (HH), with assistance from KMH and Maxwell Mazur, prepared samples and operated ICP-MS and Tekran 2600.

Each analytical instrument was operated by a proprietary, commercially-available software package from an instrument vendor. The computers were desktop PCs with Microsoft Windows operating systems.

At the Forestry Science Laboratory, Grand Rapids, each water sample was tracked by analysis using the serial number of a sample. These serial numbers are presented in this data publication. The serial numbers (6 digit integer) were assigned to a series (first 3 digits of the serial number) according to study and year of the study. During 2010, the serial numbers ranged from 200000 to 200185. During 2011, the serial numbers ranged from 200300 to 200646 and continued through 2012 from 200647 to 201045 and through 2013 from 201046 to 201193. From 2011 to 2012, even numbered samples were analyzed for DOC concentration and odd numbered samples were analyzed for anions. These serial numbers serve as a unique identifier to link field and laboratory data from sample collection to laboratory analysis to data curation.

Upon arrival in Forestry Science Laboratory, Grand Rapids, the samples were logged in on a bound notebook and stored in a walk-in cooler until processing for laboratory measurements began.

At the Forestry Sciences Laboratory, a log book with entries regarding calibrations, maintenance, analysis dates of samples, notes for each batch of samples, and other info relevant to analysis is maintained for each instrument. Upon analysis, a report for each sample was printed on paper. Printouts were bound in 3-ring binders that are stored in cabinets in the laboratory. In terms of electronic records, generally, batch, method, and data files for each analytical run were stored in the corresponding proprietary formats on those instrument associated computers. Those various files types and final values were exported to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets were backed up upon completion of runs on portable storage drives and transferred to several desktop computers. Values for calibration standards, reference standards, and samples were copied into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Final values were adjusted for dilutions if necessary. These spreadsheets are stored on desktop computers, backup external hard drives, and a virtual drive (offsite, Forest Service intranet server that is firewalled and can be accessed by relevant Forest Service technicians and scientists in the NRS-07 research work unit team, and by authorized Forest Service information-technology personnel).

Various personnel were involved in the analysis of samples, data processing, and data curation at the Grand Rapids analytical laboratory. Chemist JTL (NRS) managed the lab. JTL operated the ion chromatograph and TOC analyzer. KCO operated the ICP-OES for cation concentration measurement. JTL curates chemistry data for the Forestry Sciences Laboratory. Several part time laboratory assistants were involved in sample analysis.

Data were exported from Microsoft Excel to comma-delimited ASCII text files to be included in this data package.
Process_Date: Unknown
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Below you will find a list and description of the files included in this data publication.

Unit acronyms used:
d = day
Hg = mercury
L = liter
mg = milligram
mm = millimeter
ng = nanogram


DATA FILES (2)

1) \Data\DailySoluteYields.csv: Comma-delimited text file containing values of daily runoff amounts, solute yields (total mercury, dissolved organic carbon, sulfate, excess T²⁰⁰Hg, and excess T²⁰⁴Hg), treatment ratios, and proportion of ambient mercury.

Row 1 = variable name
Row 2 = units (if applicable)
Row 3+ = data

SITE = the name of the location (Biomass Removed, Biomass Left, and Unharvest Control). For chemistry samples, the name identifies the site name on field data sheets, sample storage containers, laboratory logs, data storage spreadsheets, and a chemistry database. A value is a character string.

DATE = the date at which a sample was collected. The format is mm/dd/yyyy (mm=month, where dd=day, yyyy=year, h=hour, and mm=minutes). A value is a date.

RUNOFF = the total area normalized subsurface runoff collected in a runoff trench for a given date. Data from McCarter et al. (2020). Units are mm day⁻¹. A value is number to 4 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

THg_YIELD = the daily mass of mercury in the subsurface runoff. Units are ng Hg per day. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

XS_200Hg_YIELD = the total mass of excess T²⁰⁰Hg isotope of total mercury. Units are ng Hg per day. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

XS_204Hg_YIELD = the total mass of excess T²⁰⁴Hg isotope of total mercury. Units are ng Hg per day. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

DOC_YIELD = the daily mass of DOC in the subsurface runoff. Units are mg carbon per day. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

SO4_YIELD = the daily mass of sulfate in the subsurface runoff. Units are mg sulfate per day. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

TR_THg_YIELD = the calculated treatment ratio (Eq 3) of total mercury yields. Units of mg per d / mg per d. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

TR_DOC_YIELD = the calculated treatment ratio (Eq 3) of DOC yields. Units of mg per d / mg per d. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

TR_SO4_YIELD = the calculated treatment ratio (Eq 3) of sulfate yields. Units of mg per d / mg per d. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

TR_THg_CONC = the calculated treatment ratio (Eq 3) of total mercury concentrations. Units of mg per d / mg per d. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

TR_DOC_CONC = the calculated treatment ratio (Eq 3) of DOC concentrations. Units of mg per d / mg per d. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

TR_SO4_CONC = the calculated treatment ratio (Eq 3) of sulfate concentrations. Units of mg per d / mg per d. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

PROP_AMBIENT_THg = the calculated proportion of ambient mercury relative to the total mass of mercury (ambient + tracer, Eq 2). A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

TR_PROP_AMBIENT_THg = the calculated treatment ratio (Eq 3) of the proportion of ambient mercury. Units of mg per d / mg per d. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.


2) \Data\WaterChem.csv: Comma-delimited text file containing values of solute concentrations (total mercury, dissolved organic carbon, chloride, sulfate, aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, silicon, sodium, strontium, excess T²⁰⁰Hg, and excess T²⁰⁴Hg).

Row 1 = variable name
Row 2 = units (if applicable)
Row 3+ = data

LAB_ID = a serial number assigned to each chemistry sample/runoff volume measurement. A value is an integer.

SITE = the name of the location (Biomass Removed, Biomass Left, and Unharvest Control). For chemistry samples, the name identifies the site name on field data sheets, sample storage containers, laboratory logs, data storage spreadsheets, and a chemistry database. A value is a character string.

DATE = the date at which a sample was collected. The format is mm/dd/yyyy (mm=month, where dd=day, yyyy=year, h=hour, and mm=minutes). Time was only sometimes recorded. Times of 0:00 should be ignored. A value is a date.

THg_CONC = the concentration of all mercury species in the subsurface runoff. Units are ng Hg per L. A value is number to 1 decimal place and blank if not measured.

XS_200Hg_CONC = the concentration of excess ²⁰⁰Hg isotope of total mercury. Units are ng Hg per L. A value is number to 1 decimal place and blank if not calculated.

XS_204Hg_CONC = the concentration of excess ²⁰⁴Hg isotope of total mercury. Units are ng Hg per L. A value is number to 1 decimal place and blank if not calculated.

DOC_CONC = DOC concentration measured using the NPOC or TC-IC method, in units of mg per L. A value is number to 1 decimal place and blank if not measured.

SO4_CONC = sulfate concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Cl_CONC = chloride concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Al_CONC = aluminum concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Ca_CONC = calcium concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Fe_CONC = iron concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

K_CONC = potassium concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Mg_CONC = magnesium concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Mn_CONC = manganese concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Na_CONC = sodium concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Si_CONC = silicon concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.

Sr_CONC = strontium concentration, in units of mg per L. A value is a number with 2 decimal place and blank if not measured.


SUPPLEMENTAL FILES (3)

1) \Supplements\HillSlopeMap.tif: Tagged information file (TIF) file showing a diagram of the hillslope plots with instrumentation.

2) \Supplements\RunoffCollectorDiagram.tif: tagged information file (TIF) file showing a informational diagram of a runoff collector.

3) \Supplements\S7_Map.tif: Tagged information file (TIF) file showing the location of the Marcell Experimental Forest on a map of the USA and the location of the S7 hillslope plots on a map of the Experimental Forest.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
McCarter, Colin P. R.; Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Eggert, Susan L.; Kolka, Randall K.; Mitchell, Carl P. J. 2020. Changes in hillslope hydrology in a perched, shallow soil system due to clearcutting and residual biomass removal. Hydrological Processes 4: 5354-5369. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13948
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Research and Development
Contact_Position: Research Data Archivist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80526
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: see Contact Instructions
Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of March 2022. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2021-0007
Distribution_Liability:
Metadata documents have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Unless otherwise stated, all data and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. However, neither the author, the Archive, nor any part of the federal government can assure the reliability or suitability of these data for a particular purpose. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed for a user's application of these data or related materials.

The metadata, data, or related materials may be updated without notification. If a user believes errors are present in the metadata, data or related materials, please use the information in (1) Identification Information: Point of Contact, (2) Metadata Reference: Metadata Contact, or (3) Distribution Information: Distributor to notify the author or the Archive of the issues.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: ASCII
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Comma-delimited ASCII text file (CSV)
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped with 7-Zip 19.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2021-0007
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20220328
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Dr. Carl Mitchell
Contact_Organization: University of Toronto Scarborough
Contact_Position: Associate Professor
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences
Address: 1265 Military Trail
City: Scarborough
State_or_Province: Ontario
Postal_Code: M1C 1A4
Country: Canada
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 416-208-2744
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: carl.mitchell@utoronto.ca
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999
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