AGW04 Measurement of stream chemical properties during growing season rainfall events at konza prairie, 2024

During the 2024 growing season, stream water chemical properties were measured during seven rainfall events in watersheds N01B, N02B, and N04D at Konza Prairie Biological Station. Just before and during the storms, stream water samples were collected hourly using automated samplers located just upstream or downstream from theflume in each watershed. At the same location, stream pH and temperature was also measured every 5 minutes using data loggers situated near the stream sampler inlet tubes. Following each storm, the samples were filtered through 0.45 µm filter membranesand then analyzed for concentrations of alkalinity, major cations and anions, non-purgeable organic carbon, total dissolved nitrogen, and water stable isotopes. Select trace element concentrations and strontium isotope ratios were also analyzed during one of the storm events.

The primary goal was to assess event-level variation in stream concentration-discharge relationships in watersheds with variable extents of woody plant encroachment. Discharge data accompanying these results are available in datasets ASD02, ASD05, and ASD06.