Karola Tóth

Supervisors: Dr. J.M. Waddington (McMaster University) & Dr. R.  Bourbonniere (Canadian Center for Inland Waters)

(B.Sc., Environmental Toxicology, University of Toronto)

E-mail: tothk@mcmaster.ca

DOC quantity and quality as a measure of the restoration effects on an exploited Peatland  

Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) plays an important role in the carbon balance, nutrient and metal cycling, and acidity of waters in natural peatlands.  Hydrology and biogeochemistry have a strong effect on the quantity and quality of DOC, therefore these measures are a suitable means for the evaluation of restoration success.  The objectives of the proposed research are to: (1) evaluate the restoration measures on quantity and quality of DOC with relevance to its sources and hydrologic processes, and (2) establish the role that pools and ditches play in DOC dynamics within a restored and a natural peatland.

During the summer of 2001 water samples will be collected at the outflows, ponds and ditches at Bois-des-Bel as well as a natural site and analyzed for dissolved organic carbon along with other chemical and physical variables.  DOC quality will be determined using fractionation into hydrophilic and hydrophobic components (see Bourbonniere, 1989).  The sources of DOC will be evaluated using leaching experiments on different organic matter found within the peatlands (Moore &Dalva, 2000).  The effect of hydrology will be determined by sampling during different hydrologic events.  The water flux entering and leaving the pools will be determined using piezometers. Water samples will be analyzed for DOC.  Factors such as dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, temperature and radiation will be monitored as well.  Finally, the contribution of the ditches will be evaluated using the same method as for the outflow.

(version francais)

Preliminary Results Summer 2000