Title: Changes to the hydrophysical properties of upland and riparian soils in a burned fen watershed in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, northern Alberta, Canada
Citation: Elmes, M.C., Thompson, D.K., & Price, J.S. (2018). Changes to the hydrophysical properties of upland and riparian soils in a burned fen watershed in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, northern Alberta, Canada. FigShare. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7300280
Study Site: Poplar Fen, Alberta
Purpose: Hydrogeologic setting strongly influences the hydrologic function of peatland systems. For base–rich fens in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) of the Western Boreal Plain, northern Alberta, local groundwater flow from gently sloping adjacent uplands has been shown to help sustain fen water tables and chemistry. Natural forest disturbance in the AOSR is dominated by wildfire, with peatlands susceptible to combustion and subsequent carbon release. However, few studies have aimed to characterize the degree of change to the hydrophysical properties of upland soils following wildfire. To address this, we measured differences in water repellency and hydrophysical properties of burned and unburned upland organic and mineral soils in a burned moderate–rich fen watershed (Poplar Fen), ~25 km north of Fort McMurray.
Abstract: Field and laboratory data were summarized and inputted into several .CSV files. Data included infiltration,
water droplet penetration time (WDPT), % ethanol, moisture retention, grain size, bulk density, and field
ground heat flux and volumetric moisture content (WMC).
Supplemental Information Summary:
Research:
Further Info: Matthew C. Elmes, Daniel K. Thompson, Jonathan S. Price, Changes to the hydrophysical properties of upland and riparian soils in a burned fen watershed in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, northern Alberta, Canada, CATENA, Volume 181, 2019, 104077, ISSN 0341-8162, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.104077.
Status: Complete
Keywords:
meteorology,
hydrology,
peat properties,
fen,
Geographical coordinates: North: 56.93, South: 56.93 East: -111.53 West: -111.53
Bounding Temporal Extent: Start Date: 2011-06-01, End
Date: 2016-10-31
