the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
| 29 Jan 2024
Event based high resolution measurement of DOC-concentration and quality in a rural headwater catchment
Abstract. The export of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from small river systems is a significant factor in the global carbon cycle. DOC quality can be used to identify the sources of carbon in headwater systems. High-resolution in-situ measurements in small headwater catchments can unveil fast changing patterns of DOC export and DOC quality during events. In this study, the influence of precipitation events on DOC export and changing DOC quality was analyzed using highly resolved discharge and DOC concentration and quality data of 5-minute time steps. Data analysis was conducted using spearman correlation analysis, hysteresis analysis and visual comparison of pre-event and event conditions. Measurements took place from January 2021 until August 2022 in a German lower mountain catchment with predominantly agricultural land use. While DOC export was lower than in other catchments the DOC quality followed a well-observed seasonal pattern and was significantly influenced by the antecedent wetness of the catchment and the length of precipitation events. The results showed that the use of in-situ high resolution measurements can provide a detailed insight into the DOC export dynamics of a catchment and can help to identify the most important drivers of DOC quality changes.
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RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-230', Anonymous Referee #1, 14 Apr 2024
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The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export in small river systems, shedding light on its pivotal role in the carbon cycle. Through meticulous high-resolution in-situ measurements, the study elucidates the intricate relationship between precipitation events and DOC export, offering valuable insights into the mechanisms governing DOC quality changes. The use of Spearman correlation analysis, hysteresis analysis, and visual comparisons enhances the rigor of the findings, providing a robust framework for understanding the complexities of DOC dynamics. Particularly noteworthy is the identification of key drivers such as antecedent wetness and precipitation event duration, underscoring the nuanced interplay between environmental factors and DOC export patterns. The research's focus on the Nesselbach a German lower mountain catchment situated in the „westhessische Senke“ with predominantly agricultural land use adds a valuable regional perspective to the broader understanding of DOC dynamics. Overall, this paper represents a significant contribution to the field and tries to highlight the importance of high-resolution in-situ measurements in unraveling the complexities of DOC dynamics and informing future research and management strategies. However, there are still some minor points to improve upon.
- For me, it was not clear what the tangible benefit of the higher resolution compared to other studies using lower resolution constitutes. Since this is a major point in the study it would be most beneficial if this would be elaborated upon a little bit more and contrast the two approaches a little bit better.
- The method section is very nicely done. Equation number one seems to use the wrong units. The units on the right do not correspond to the units on the left.
- In the result section the details for „significant“, „positively correlated“, „highest“ and so on are missing. Here it would be nice to always provide the test and or the value.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-230-RC1
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