Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in Interior Alaska, 2008 to 2011

High latitude, boreal watersheds are nitrogen-limited ecosystems that export large amounts of organic carbon. Key controls on carbon cycling in these environments are the biogeochemical processes affecting the nitrogen cycle. This data release presents results of a 3-year field study from 2008-2011 to document the relation between seasonal and transport-associated changes in carbon and nitrogen pools within Nome Creek, an upland headwater tributary of the Yukon River, Alaska, and two first order tributaries to Nome Creek, West Twin Creek and East Twin Creek. Stream-water geochemistry was characterized using: a) biweekly sampling at fixed sampling stations to assess changes through the course of a summer season; b) synoptic sampling along kilometer-long stream reaches to assess changes with down-gradient transport; and c) diel sampling at fixed station locations to assess day-night changes. The study also included in-stream tracer tests using chloride or bromide and sulfur hexafluoride as conservative tracers and nitrate, to document the short-term uptake and (or) degradation of inorganic nitrogen, and urea, as a proxy to document the fate of readily-degradable organic nitrogen. Presented here are the field data and water quality analyses from the biweekly, synoptic, diel, and tracer test components of the study.