Stream geochemistry data for three Arctic headwater streams, North Slope, Alaska, 2021-2023

This dataset includes stream water chemistry measurements and associated discharge data from three Arctic headwater catchments located along the Dalton Highway on Alaska’s North Slope. The catchments are the Kuparuk River (68.64313, -149.40326), Oksrukuyik Creek (68.68617, -149.09845), and Trevor Creek (68.28344, -149.37155). Stream water samples were collected approximately weekly during the thaw seasons from 2021–2023 at the outlets of each catchment. Grab samples were collected in amber HDPE bottles after triple-rinsing with stream water. Within eight hours of collection, samples were syringe-filtered through 0.2 µm cellulose acetate filters into triple-rinsed amber HDPE bottles, refrigerated, and shipped to Brigham Young University for laboratory analysis. Samples were analyzed for total concentrations of geogenic elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mo, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, Zn) using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS; iCAP 7000 series, Thermo Scientific). The ICP-MS detection limit was 0.02 mg L⁻¹; concentrations below detection are reported as half the detection limit for these elements (0.01 mg L⁻¹) in this data file. Only Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, S, Si, and Sr were consistently above detection and are included in this data file. Discharge point data associated with the chemistry samples were obtained from long-term stream discharge records collected by the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program at the same sites the chemistry samples were collected. The Arctic LTER publishes these discharge records on the Arctic Data Center.