Dataset: Nitrate Transport in Snowmelt in the Green Mountains

Methods

The methods followed in the creation of the dataset, including description of field, laboratory and processing steps, and quality control procedures

Current Methods

• Monitoring streamflow
  
  

  Streamflow at the mouth of the catchment is monitored by a US Geological Survey weir. Stage is recorded at 5 minute intervals. Stream discharge was calculated from the stage above the 90 degree v-notch weir. Air, water, soil, and snowpack temperatures as well as snowpack depth and reflected short radiation were also recorded at the site of the weir.

• Air quality monitoring station data
  
  

  Wet and dry deposition inputs and ambient meteorological data were measured at the VMC air quality monitoring station, located approximately 2 km away at about the same elevation as the weir.

• Sampling snowpack
  
  

  The snowpack was sampled near the weir at three depths, two weeks before the start of the spring snowmelt event.

Past Methods (No longer in use)

• Stream samples
  Started: 1993-10-01
  Ended: 1994-09-30

  54 stream water samples obtained at the stream weir, draining 11 hectare catchment.

Dataset Fields

Detailed documentation of the fields comprising the dataset, including the type of measurement, units where applicable, and any controlled vocabularies or code lists present in the data

Sampling Equipment

Equipment and software used to collect data, including how that equipment was used.

Current Equipment

• Chromatograph
  
  

  Dionex 2000i ion chromatograph was used for anion analysis.

• Measurement and control system
  
  

  Campbell Scientific CR-10 used to record stage at 5-minute intervals.

• Spectrometer
  
  

  Leeman 2.5 Plasma Spec was used for analysis of cations.

Site Characteristics

The spatial extent of the dataset site coverage, and descriptions of the spatial extent and context for the data collection

• Site Description

  Nettle Brook, the study site catchment area, is located on the southwest slope of Mount Mansfield in the Green Mountains of northern Vermont. The drainage basin of the catchment has an estimated area of 0.11 km^3 and is drained by a small first-order stream, Nettle Brook.
• Site Description

  The catchment elevation extends from 445 m to 665 m above sea level. The bedrock in this area is predominantly mica-albite-quartz schist and the soils are dominated by Peru extremely stony loam, Marlow extremely stony loam, Cabot extremely stony silt loam and Lyman-Marlow very rocky loam.
• Site Description

  Nettle Brook flows intermittently from east of the boggy area, and year round west of the boggy area. Nettle Brook is groundwater dominated except during floods.