Soil and invertebrate 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: Huang, Haiyong (Planck)
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2022
Title:
Soil and invertebrate 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-2022-0024
Description:
Abstract:
This data publication contains soil and invertebrate chemistry data 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 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 consist of peat total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in organic soils, mercury methylation rate constants, and MeHg in macroinvertebrates of the downgradient peatland collected from 2010 to 2012.
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.
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 (ha) tract of land located 40 kilometers (km) north of Grand Rapids in Balsam Township, Itasca County, Minnesota, USA (\Supplements\S7_Hillslope_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: Landscape management
Theme_Keyword: Timber
Theme_Keyword: Water
Theme_Keyword: Forest management
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: forestry
Theme_Keyword: hillslope hydrology
Theme_Keyword: peatland
Theme_Keyword: mercury methylation
Theme_Keyword: biomass removal harvesting
Theme_Keyword: clearcut harvesting
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Marcell Experimental Forest
Place_Keyword: Minnesota
Place_Keyword: Balsam Township
Place_Keyword: Itasca County
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.; Huang, Haiyong (Planck); Kolka, Randall K.; Mitchell, Carl P. J. 2022. Soil and invertebrate 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-2022-0024
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station
Contact_Person: Stephen Sebestyen
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
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: \Supplements\S7_Hillslope_Map.tif
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Location of the Marcell Experimental Forest on a map of the USA, the location of the S7 hillslope plots on a map of the Experimental Forest, and a diagram of a hillslope plot with instrumentation.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: TIF
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, and RKK.

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

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.

CPJM collected peat cores. SLE collected the invertebrate samples.

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.


Author Information:

Colin P. R. McCarter
University of Toronto Scarborough
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7308-0369

Stephen D. Sebestyen
USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6315-0108

Susan L. Eggert
USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9824-7452

Haiyong (Planck) Huang
University of Toronto Scarborough
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3449-3048

Randall K. Kolka
USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6419-8218

Carl P. J. Mitchell
University of Toronto Scarborough
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8538-5138
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: 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
Cross_Reference:
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
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: McCarter, Colin P. R.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2022
Title:
Effects of clearcutting and residual biomass harvesting on mercury mobilization and downgradient mercury accumulation from a shallow hillslope
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JG006826
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
\Data\SoilHg.csv

Analytical precision (mean relative standard deviation of replicate samples) was 3.3% for total Hg for samples from 2010-2012.

Total abundances of soil mercury isotopes were measured for mercury-200 (T²⁰⁰Hg), mercury-201 (T²⁰¹Hg), and mercury-204 (T²⁰⁴Hg).

For enriched abundance mercury (Hg) tracers, analytical precision from 2011-2013 was:
10.1% for excess total abundance of the Hg-200 isotope (T²⁰⁰Hg).
5.2% for excess T²⁰¹Hg (for Kmeth).
6.2% for excess total abundance of the Hg-204 isotope (T²⁰⁴Hg).
7.9% for excess total abundance of the Me²⁰¹Hg isotope.

Analytical precision (mean relative standard deviation of replicate samples) was 5.4% for MeHg for samples from 2010-2013.


\Data\InvertebrateHg.csv

Analytical precision (mean relative standard deviation of replicate samples) was 6.0% for MeHg.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
\Data\SoilHg.csv

Spike samples were prepared by adding known amounts of standard solutions obtained from J.T. Baker (Center Valley, Pennsylvania) into replicate soil 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 were re-analyzed. The certified reference materials (both sediment) MESS-3 (THg) and ERM-580 (MeHg) were also analyzed approximately every 10 samples. The MESS-3 (Marine Sediment Reference Materials for Trace Metals and other Constituents) was sourced from the National Research Council of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) and ERM-580 (Estuarine sediment) was sourced from the European Reference Materials (European Commission Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Geel, Belgium).

For THg, spike recoveries were overall 100 ± 10%. Recovery of the mean certified THg concentration of MESS-3 was 100 ± 6%. Method detection limits were 0.46 ng g⁻¹ (dry weight) for THg, 0.03 ng g⁻¹ for excess T²⁰¹Hg, 0.07 ng g⁻¹ for excess T²⁰⁴Hg, and 0.01 ng g⁻¹ for excess T²⁰¹Hg (for Kmeth).

For MeHg, recovery of the mean certified MeHg concentration of ERM-580 was 105 ± 9%. Method detection limits were 0.13 ng g⁻¹ (dry weight) for MeHg and 0.03 ng g⁻¹ for excess T²⁰¹Hg (for Kmeth).


\Data\InvertebrateHg.csv

The certified reference material DORM-3 (dogfish muscle; National Research Council of Canada) was also analyzed approximately every 10 samples. Isotope spikes were not run due to low sample mass.

For MeHg, recovery of the mean certified MeHg concentration of DORM-3 was 99 ± 10%. The method detection limit was 1.0 ng g⁻¹ (dry weight) for MeHg.
Completeness_Report:
Missing or omitted data are recorded as blank cells. Data values below the detection limit are reported but are not flagged as such. Please refer to Attribute Accuracy section of this metadata for analyte detection limits and the Entity and Attribute section for complete details.
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: 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_Hillslope_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 and the adjacent downgradient peatland. Soil and macroinvertebrate 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 centimeters [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 (fine, smectitic, frigid Aquertic Glossudalfs; https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/K/KOOCH.html). The hillslope was delineated into three adjacent hillslope plots (Biomass Removed hillslope, Biomass Left hillslope, and Unharvested Control hillslope), each draining through a separate subsurface runoff trench at the toe slope landscape position (\Supplements\S7_Hillslope_Map.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 were also assessed using enriched stable mercury isotope tracers (Mazur et al. 2014).


FIELD COLLECTION AND SAMPLE PREPARATION

\Data\SoilHg.csv

Soil samples were taken using clear polycarbonate core tubes inserted into soil to approximately 15 cm. Cores were then transported a few km to the Marcell Experimental Forest field laboratory, where they were extracted by depth using a custom core push extractor. Individual samples were then labelled and frozen.


\Data\InvertebrateHg.csv

Wolf Spiders, ground beetles, worms, cellar spiders, and mixed spiders, were collected in pitfall traps from 2010 to 2013. Millipedes (Polydesmus species) and centipedes (Lithobius species) were collected by hand during the same time period. Individual organisms from samples were then identified, labelled, and frozen.


CHEMISTRY ANALYSES

\Data\ SoilHg.csv

To determine the soil THg, the samples were freeze-dried then digested in hot nitric acid (HNO₃) using microwave digestion (CEM Corporation, Charlotte, North Carolina, MARS 5) at 175°C under pressure for 30 minutes.

Digestates were then diluted with deionized water and then oxidized by potassium bromine monochloride overnight before introducing into the Tekran (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) 2600 automated mercury analysis system or a Tekran 2600 interfaced to an Agilent (Santa Clara, California) 7700 inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following US EPA Method 1631.

Soil methylmercury (MeHg) was analyzed using the Hg isotope dilution method. To determine the soil MeHg, samples were first mixed with diluted cupric sulfate (CuSO₄), potassium chloride (KCl), and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄ and an exactly known quantity of enriched Me¹⁹⁹Hg was added to the mixture prior to distillation. Distillation was conducted at around 110-120℃ for about 4 hours. When distillation was complete, aliquots of the distillates were added to bubblers with sodium tetraethylborate and sodium acetate buffer, and then the volatile ethylated MeHg was purged using ultrapure nitrogen and trapped onto Tenax traps. The traps were thermally desorbed on a stream of argon gas, species were separated by gas chromatography and introduced into the ICP-MS for quantification of individual MeHg isotope species. Evaluation of the excess of each MeHg isotope was determined by a matrix of isotope ratio calculations according to the methods of Hintelmann and Ogrinc (2002).


\Data\InvertebrateHg.csv

To determine the macroinvertebrate MeHg, the samples were freeze dried, homogenized by mortar and pestle and then digested in hot nitric acid (HNO₃) using microwave digesting system (CEM, MARS 5) at 175℃ under pressure for 30 minutes.

Digestates were then diluted with deionized water and oxidized by potassium bromine monochloride for overnight before introducing into the Tekran 2600 or Tekran 2600/ICPMS for isotopic detection as outlined above.

For macroinvertebrates, MeHg was extracted using the Hg isotope dilution method. Samples were mixed with potassium hydroxide (KOH)-methanol solution and an exactly known quantity of enriched Me¹⁹⁹Hg was added to the mixture prior to extraction. MeHg in invertebrate was then extracted under gentle boiling conditions for 3-4 hours in Erlenmeyer flasks using a hot plate. Once extraction was completed, aliquots of the extractates were added to bubblers with sodium tetraethylborate and sodium acetate buffer, and then the volatile ethylated MeHg was purged out using ultrapure nitrogen and trapped onto Tenax traps. The traps were thermally desorbed on a stream of argon gas. Species are separated by gas chromatography and introduced into the ICP-MS for quantification of individual MeHg isotopes. Evaluation of the excess of each MeHg isotope was determined by a matrix of isotope ratio calculations according to the methods of Hintelmann and Ogrinc (2002).
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: 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: 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: 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: McCarter, Colin P. R.
Originator: Eggert, Susan L.
Originator: Sebestyen, Stephen D.
Originator: Kolka, Randall K.
Originator: Mitchell, Carl P. J.
Publication_Date: 2022
Title:
Effects of clearcutting and residual biomass harvesting on mercury mobilization and downgradient mercury accumulation from a shallow hillslope
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JG006826
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
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/62217
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
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
At the University of Toronto, each soil sample was tracked through analysis using a unique sample ID. 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). Samples were frozen at the Marcell Experimental Forest field laboratory, were transported to the University of Toronto (Scarborough) laboratory on dry ice, and samples were frozen until further processed. Samples were then freeze-dried prior to analysis. 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 on a computer exclusively used with each analytical instrument.

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) prepared samples and operated the ICP- MS and Tekran 2600 instruments.

Each analytical instrument was operated by a proprietary, commercially-available software package from the instrument vendor. The computers were desktop PCs with Microsoft Windows operating systems. Data were exported from Microsoft Excel to comma-separated values (CSV) files.
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.

Acronyms used:
cm = centimeters
C = Celsius
d = day
g = gram
Hg = mercury
L = liter
mg = milligram
mm = millimeter
ng = nanogram


VARIABLE DESCRIPTION FILE (1)

1) \Data\_variable_descriptions.csv: Comma-separated values (CSV) file containing a list and description of the variables included in each of the data files: InvertebrateHg.csv and SoilHg.csv. This same information is provided in the file descriptions below.


DATA FILES (2)

1) \Data\InvertebrateHg.csv: CSV file containing methylmercury concentrations of invertebrates.

Row 1 = variable name
Row 2 = units (if applicable)
Row 4+ = 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.

YEAR = the year at which a sample was collected. A value is a four-digit integer.

FAMILY = the scientific family or genera of a macroinvertebrate sample. Values are: Lycosidae, Carabidae, Lumbriculidae, Pholcidae, Polydesmus, Mixed Araneae, and Lithobius. A value is a character string.

COMMON_NAME = the common name for the identified macroinvertebrates. Values are: Wolf Spider, Ground Beetle, Worms, Cellar Spider, Millipedes, Mixed Spiders, and Centipedes. A value is a character string.

FEEDING = a broad classification of the feeding behavior of each macroinvertebrate. Values are: Predator and Detritivore. A value is a character string.

MeHg = the concentration of MeHg in the tissue of the macroinvertebrates. Units are in ng Hg per g dry weight. A value is number to 1 decimal place and blank if not calculated.


2) \Data\SoilHg.csv: CSV file containing total and methylmercury concentrations from peat soils at 3 depths, and excess T²⁰⁰Hg, and excess T²⁰⁴Hg concentrations, and methylation rate constants.

Row 1 = variable name
Row 2 = units (if applicable)
Row 4+ = data

YEAR = the year at which a sample was collected. A value is a four-digit integer.

Sample_ID = a unique identifier for each sample for a given sampling period (spring, summer fall, and year). Value is a character string.

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 a sample was collected. A value is a date recorded as YYYY-MM-DD.

Month = the month a sample was collected. A value is an integer.

SEASON = the season (spring, summer or fall) at which a sample was collected. A value is a character string.

DEPTH.RANGE = the depth below ground surface that the sample was collected from. Presented as a range. Units are cm. A value is a character string.

INCUBATION_TEMP = the temperature (ambient air temperature) of a mercury methylation incubation experiment. Units are in degrees Celsius. A value is a number to 1 decimal place and blank if not calculated.

INCUBATION_TIME = the time (5 hours) of the mercury methylation incubations experiments. Units are in hours. A value is an integer.

MeHg = the concentration of methylmercury (MeHg) in the soil. Units are ng Hg per g of soil. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

XS_201MeHg = the concentration of excess Me²⁰¹Hg isotope in MeHg. Units are ng Hg per g of soil. A value is number to 3 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

THg = the concentration of total mercury in the soil. Units are ng Hg per g of soil. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

XS_201THg = the concentration of excess T²⁰¹Hg isotope in total mercury. Units are ng Hg per g of soil. A value is number to 2 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

Kmeth = the mercury methylation potential rate constant determined from the incubation experiments. Units are per day. A value is number to 4 decimal places and blank if not calculated.

%MeHg = the percentage of total Hg as methylmercury in the soil. Expressed as a percentage. A value is number to 1 decimal place and blank if not calculated.


SUPPLEMENTAL FILES (1)

1) \Supplements\S7_Hillslope_Map.tif: TIF file depicting the location of the Marcell Experimental Forest on a map of the USA, the location of the S7 hillslope plots on a map of the Experimental Forest, and a diagram of a hillslope plot with instrumentation.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
McCarter, Colin P. R.; Eggert, Susan L.; Sebestyen, Stephen D.; Kolka, Randall K.; Mitchell, Carl P. J. 2022. Effects of clearcutting and residual biomass harvesting on mercury mobilization and downgradient mercury accumulation from a shallow hillslope. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JG006826
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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-2022-0024
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: CSV
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Comma-separated values (CSV) file
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-2022-0024
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: TIFF
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Tagged Image Format (TIF) file
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-2022-0024
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20220328
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: University of Toronto Scarborough
Contact_Person: Dr. Carl Mitchell
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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