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Journal of Environmental Hydrology
ISSN 1058-3912 |
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Electronic Journal of the International Association for
Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 13 (2005), Paper 17 Posted August 20, 2005 STABLE OXYGEN ISOTOPE HYDROLOGY AND SLOW BASIN RESPONSE IN AN OLD-GROWTH FORESTED CATCHMENT, WOLF RIVER BASIN, WISCONSIN Erik B. Melchiorre1 2Department of Earth & Planetary Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA ABSTRACT Oxygen isotope variations of the Wolf and Red Rivers, Wisconsin are very small (1 to 5 ‰ variation) compared to those of local meteoric precipitation (25 ‰ variation), with behavior that may be modeled using published isotope hydrology equations based upon time-decay damped-storage, indicating that stream flow is a damped running average of local meteoric precipitation that has been stored and homogenized in shallow groundwater reservoirs for 0.34 to 1.1 years. These residence times are long for most small rivers (<1000 cfs) in the Midwestern USA and likely reflect the high proportion of old growth forest and wetlands within the watershed. Deviations from the damped average model are largely caused by melting of accumulated snowfall during spring. Small decreases in the 18O content of precipitation and of streamflow accompany increase in elevation in the basin. The average δ18O values of the rivers and the specific conductance of river baseflow are similar to shallow groundwaters from nearby wells. Reference: Melchiorre, E.B., and R.E. Criss.2005. Stable Oxygen Isotope Hydrology and Slow Basin Response in an Old-Growth Forested Catchment, Wolf River Basin, Wisconsin, Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 13, Paper 17. CONTACT: Erik Melchiorre Associate Professor of Geology Dept. Geological Sciences California State University 5500 University Parkway, BI-116 San Bernardino, CA 92407 E-mail: emelch@csusb.edu |
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