BOREAS TGB-05 Dissolved Organic Carbon Data from NSA Beaver Ponds

Summary 

The BOREAS TGB-05 team collected several data sets related to carbon and trace gas 
fluxes and concentrations in the NSA.  This data set contains concentrations of 
dissolved organic and inorganic carbon species from water samples collected at 
various NSA sites.  In particular, this set covers the NSA Tower Beaver Pond Site 
and the NSA Gillam Road Beaver Pond Site, including data from all visits to open 
water sampling locations during the BOREAS field campaigns from April to September 
1994.  The data are provided in tabular ASCII files.

Table of Contents

   *  1 Data Set Overview
   *  2 Investigator(s)
   *  3 Theory of Measurements
   *  4 Equipment
   *  5 Data Acquisition Methods
   *  6 Observations
   *  7 Data Description
   *  8 Data Organization
   *  9 Data Manipulations
   *  10 Errors
   *  11 Notes
   *  12 Application of the Data Set
   *  13 Future Modifications and Plans
   *  14 Software
   *  15 Data Access
   *  16 Output Products and Availability
   *  17 References
   *  18 Glossary of Terms
   *  19 List of Acronyms
   *  20 Document Information

1.	Data Set Overview

1.1	Data Set Identification

BOREAS TGB-05 Dissolved Organic Carbon Data from NSA Beaver Ponds

1.2	Data Set Introduction

Organic matter is a major component of the boreal forest ecosystem, and can be 
considered as the defining parameter for biogeochemical processes occurring in the 
soil, wetlands, ponds, and lakes in the boreal forest.  Beaver ponds are common in 
the boreal forest, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the dominant aquatic 
component.

1.3	Objective/Purpose

Trace Gas Biogeochemistry Team 5 (TGB-05) studied the character of DOM from an 
active beaver pond near Thompson, Manitoba, Canada, in conjunction with the BOReal 
Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) project.  This study spans the entire 
hydrologic cycle in 1994 from snowmelt and ice breakup through the spring flood, 
summer growing season and autumn draw down.

1.4  Summary of Parameters

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), particulate 
organic carbon (POC), and DOM fractions (see Section 18).

1.5 Discussion 

Water samples were collected throughout the BOREAS sampling periods described 
above for all open water sites (including some earlier samples that were under 
ice) and from inflow, groundwater, and drainage sites.  These samples were 
analyzed in a timely manner at a field lab in Thompson for various aquatic carbon 
species, as described in Sections 1.4 and 7.

1.6 Related Data Sets

BOREAS TGB-01 Soil CH4 and CO2 Profile Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-01 CO2 and CH4 Chamber Flux Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-01 CH4 Tower Flux Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-03 NEE and Air and Water Temperature Data over the NSA Fen
BOREAS TGB-03 CO2 and CH4 Chamber Flux Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-03 Soil CO2 and CH4 Profile Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-05 Aquatic Carbon Species 1994 over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-05 CO, CO2, and CH4 Chamber Flux Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-12 CO2 Flux Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-12 CO2 Soil Profile Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-12 Soil Carbon Isotope Data over the NSA
BOREAS TGB-12 Soil Carbon Map in Raster Format

2. Investigator(s):

2.1 Investigator(s) Name and Title 

Dr. Richard A. Bourbonniere, TGB-05

2.2 Title of Investigation 

Biogeochemistry of Dissolved Organic Matter - Disturbances

2.3 Contact Information

Contact 1
---------
Dr. Rick Bourbonniere
Environment Canada
National Water Research Institute
Burlington, ON
CANADA  
(905) 336-4547
(905) 336-4972 (fax)
RICK.BOURBON@CCIW.CA

Contact 2
---------
Sara Conrad
Raytheon STX Corporation
NASA GSFC
Greenbelt, MD  
(301) 286-2624
(301) 2186-0239 (fax)
Sara.Golightly@gsfc.nasa.gov

3. Theory of Measurements: 

Chemical measurements were made on water samples.  Dissolved carbon analyses were 
made using a Dohrmann DC-190 Carbon Analyzer.  This instrument uses the High 
Temperature Catalytic Oxidation (HTCO) method to determine total carbon (TC) and 
organic carbon (DOC) species, and acidification and sparging for inorganic carbon 
(DIC) species.  An alternate method of measuring DIC, the difference method (see 
below), was used for all 1994 samples.  The quartz oxidation tube was filled with 
a catalyst made of platinum on alumina beads and placed in a furnace set at 900 
degrees C; the carrier gas was Ultra High Purity Zero Air from Canox at 200 
mL/min.  The detector on this instrument is a Milton Roy Model 3300 nondispersive 
infrared (NDIR) gas analyzer (Mfg: Fuji Electric), which is a single beam detector 
with a wide dynamic range. The instrument was used mostly in the automatic 
sampling mode (ASM), but occasionally manual injection was used.  TC analyses were 
done on whole filtered samples, DOC was determined after acidification (pH <4 
using 20% phosphoric acid) and sparging (5 minutes with carrier) to remove DIC and 
DIC was determined by the difference: TC - DOC = DIC.

POC was determined by HTCO on filters using a CHN Analyzer after acidification to 
remove solid carbonates (done by Environment Canadas National Laboratory for 
Environmental Testing, Burlington, ON).

4.	Equipment

4.1 Sensor/Instrument Description

4.1.1 Collection Environment

Samples were collected under all environmental conditions.

4.1.2 Source/Platform

Ground.

4.1.3 Source/Platform Mission Objectives

None given.

4.1.4 Key Variables

Fulvic Acid (FA), Humic Acid (HA), Hydrophobic Acid (HPOA), Hydrophobic Neutral 
(HPON), Hydrophilic Acid (HPIA), Hydrophilic Neutral (HPIN), and X4AC are 
fractions of DOM (see Section 18).

4.1.5 Principles of Operation

Dissolved Carbon analyses were made using a Dohrmann DC-190 Carbon Analyzer.  
This instrument uses the High Temperature Catalytic Oxidation (HTCO) method to 
determine total (TC) and organic carbon (DOC) species, and acidification and 
sparging for inorganic carbon (DIC) species.  An alternate measurement of DIC, 
the difference method (see below) was used for all 1994 samples.  The quartz 
oxidation tube was filled with a catalyst made of Platinum on Alumina beads, 
placed in a furnace set at 900 degrees C, and the carrier gas was Ultra High 
Purity Zero Air from Canox at 200 mL/min.

4.1.6 Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry

Not applicable.

4.1.7 Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument

Dohrmann DC-190 Carbon Analyzer
Tekmar-Dohrmann 
P.O. Box 429576 
Cincinnati, OH 45249
(800)-543-4461 (Sales)
(800)-874-2004 (Service)
(513)-247-7000 (Outside the USA/Canada)
(513)-247-7050 (Fax)

4.2 Calibration

4.2.1 Specifications

The DC-190 uses a single-point calibration method.  This is possible because of 
the wide dynamic range of the detector and the stable, closely spaced calibration 
curves stored in the instrument by the factory.  Calibrations for TC and DOC were 
done using fresh dilutions of Potassium Biphthalate (KHP), primary standard grade, 
diluted with E-Pure water (Barnstead).  System blanks were calculated by 
regressing results from low ppm range standards; the intercept of a true value vs. 
measured value was called the system blank and was subtracted from each analysis.  
The calibration factor was updated for each set of 32 samples, and system blank 
samples were included within each set.

Under the conditions described above, system blanks were typically between 1-2 
mgC/L.  Note that much of this is probably attributable to residual carbon in the 
E-Pure water, as carbon-free water was unattainable.  Under these conditions, the 
system blank correction is probably higher than the actual system blank.  Under 
the high TC and DOC conditions found for the waters in the Northern Study Area 
(NSA), the system blank accounts for 4-8% of the measured values, and the over 
correction could be as high as 3-6%.  Without "carbon-free water," this could not 
be improved.

4.2.1.1 Tolerance

None given.

4.2.2 Frequency of Calibration

None given.

4.2.3 Other Calibration Information

None given.

5. Data Acquisition Methods

The DC-190 uses internal algorithms to calculate carbon concentrations that are 
reported directly in printed form for each analysis.  Each sample was analyzed in 
triplicate for TC and in quadruplicate for DOC.

6. Observations

6.1 Data Notes

Raw data are held by the Principal Investigator (PI).

6.2 Field Notes

Extensive field notes were routinely made during sampling and recorded on 
microcassettes. Transcription can be made available by the PI.

7. Data Description

7.1 Spatial Characteristics

7.1.1 Spatial Coverage

All of the data in this set are results of analyses of water samples taken from 
the NSA Tower Beaver Pond Site (TP) including its groundwater inputs, open water 
sites on the pond, and its inflow and outflow creeks.

All site designations are TP for this data set.  Sub-designations refer to the 
specific location within the TP watershed where the water sample was taken:

P1-P10 - Ten refers to 10 open water sites on the Beaver Pond. Site P1 is the 
         "main" site and is at the deepest part of the pond.
PL, B3 - Sites along the boardwalk to the tower platform.
OD, UD - Sampled from over and under the main (east) dam.
NOD    - Sampled from over the dam on the older pond to the north of TP.
WD     - Sampled from the footbridge at the west dam outlet.
D, D2  - Sampled from the Highway 391 (100 m from road) end of the drainage creeks 
         that flow from the west and east dams, respectively.
I1, I2, I3 - Inflow creeks on the south end of the pond, sampled at their mouths.  
             I3 is the main inflow of surface water to the pond.
SM     - Snowmelt collected during the thaw period.
FP, C, H - Samples from intermittent surface inflows along the southwest, south, 
           and southeast perimeter of TP.  These flowed only occasionally after 
           rain events during the thaw period. 
SZ(S), SZ(M), SZ(D) - Shallow, Middle, and Deep piezometers (wells) from a nest 
                      adjacent to TP at the west end of the main (east) dam.
NZ(S), NZ(M), NZ(D) - Shallow, Middle, and Deep piezometers (wells) from a nest 
                      adjacent to the older pond to the north of TP and also near 
                      the west end of the old dam.
NZDP1, NZDP2 - The first and second pools of groundwater collected from the NZ(D) 
               piezometer over a number of days during Focused field Campaign-Thaw 
               (FFC-T) and Intensive Field Campaign (IFC)-1.
HOLE - Water sampled through a hole in the ice adjacent to the boardwalk, 
       equivalent to B3 under ice conditions.
Sample Depth - All surface samples were taken at approximately 10 cm depth.  Other 
               depths refer to the measured depths from the pond surface and 
               piezometer depths are the deepest part of the interval sampled.  
               The shallowest depth for any well is the deepest interval for the 
               well above, and zero for the shallow wells.

All of the data in this set are results of analyses of water samples taken from 
the NSA Gillam Road Beaver Pond Site including its groundwater inputs, open 
water sites on the pond, and its inflow and outflow creeks.

All site designations are NSA Gillam Road Beaver Pond Site for this data set.  
Sub-designations refer to the specific location within the NSA Gillam Road Beaver 
Pond Site watershed where the water sample was taken:

ROAD
P
SM - Snowmelt collected during the thaw period.
SZ(S), SZ(M)  Shallow and Middle piezometers (wells) from a nest adjacent to 
               the Gillam Beaver Pond
S1
NZ(S), NZ(D)  Shallow and Deep piezometers (wells).
P1-6 - Ten refers to 6 open water sites on the Beaver Pond. Site P1 is the 
       "main" site and is at the deepest part of the pond.
TD
I1 - Inflow creeks on the south end of the pond, sampled at their mouths.
W
OD - Sampled from over and under the main (east) dam.

7.1.2 Spatial Coverage Map

None given.

7.1.3 Spatial Resolution

The total area of the NSA Tower Beaver pond is 5 ha, and its northern end is 
approximately 500 m south of Highway 391.  All groundwater, inflow, and open 
water sites are within the 5-ha pond area, and outflow sites are either at the 
pond edge or adjacent to Highway 391.  More details regarding the TP are found 
in Dove (1995). The Gillam road beaver pond is located at (55.8958N, 98.7583W)

7.1.4 Projection

Not applicable.

7.1.5 Grid Description

Not applicable.

7.2 Temporal Characteristics

7.2.1 Temporal Coverage

All samples were collected between 22-Apr and 19-Sep-1994 (FFC-T, IFC-1, IFC-2, 
and IFC-3) and are of variable frequency by site (some daily for a short period, 
many weekly during IFCs, and some occasionally, e.g., once during an IFC, or 
once during the wet period.)

7.2.2 Temporal Coverage Map

None given.

7.2.3 Temporal Resolution

Samples are of variable frequency by site (some daily for a short period, many 
weekly during IFCs, and some occasionally, e.g., once during an IFC, or once 
during the wet period).

7.3 Data Characteristics

Data characteristics are defined in the companion data definition file 
(TGB05DocD.def).

8. Data Organization

8.1 Data Granularity

All the Dissolved Organic Carbon Data from NSA Beaver Ponds data are contained in 
one dataset.

8.2 Data Format(s)

The data files contain numerical and character fields of varying length 
separated by commas. The character fields are enclosed with single apostrophe 
marks. There are no spaces between the fields.  Sample data records are shown in 
the companion data definition file (TGB5DocD.def).

9. Data Manipulations

9.1 Formulae

Some formulae were used in DOM fraction calculations prior to input into the data 
set - see Section 17, References.

9.1.1 Derivation Techniques and Algorithms

None given. 

9.2 Data Processing Sequence

9.2.1 Processing Steps

None given.

9.2.2 Processing Changes

None given.

9.3 Calculations

9.3.1 Special Corrections/Adjustments

All FA data are corrected for the average filter blank for the entire season. 
Difference calculations for DIC, HA, HPON, and X4AC occasionally resulted in 
small negative values, which were edited to zero.

9.3.2 Calculated Variables

None given.

9.4 Graphs and Plots

None given.

10. Errors

10.1 Sources of Error

The system blank for the Dohrmann DC-190 is the main source of error, but since 
carbon values are generally greater than 10 mgC/L, the correction is rarely more 
than 10% of the value and usually less than 5%.

10.2 Quality Assessment

10.2.1 Data Validation by Source

All carbon determinations reported are averages of 3 (TC) or 4 (DOC) replicate 
analyses on the Dohrmann DC-190.

10.2.2 Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgment

None given.

10.2.3 Measurement Error for Parameters

The precision for TC was typically +/- 0.8 mgC/L at the 50 mgC/L level and for 
DOC a precision of +/- 0.5 mgC/L was typical at the 25 mgC/L level.

10.2.4 Additional Quality Assessments

A few obvious outlier values were deleted from the data set.  These samples had 
very high DOC or TC values that resulted from contamination during sampling.

10.2.5 Data Verification by Data Center

Data were examined for general consistency and clarity.

11. Notes

11.1 Limitations of the Data

Not all parameters were determined for all samples, and not all sites were 
covered for all dates.  See above descriptions.

11.2 Known Problems with the Data

System blanks were typically between 1-2 mgC/L.  Note that much of this is 
probably attributable to residual carbon in the E-Pure water, as carbon-free 
water was unattainable.  Under these conditions, the system blank correction is 
probably higher than the actual system blank.  Under the high TC and DOC 
conditions found for the waters in the NSA, the system blank accounts for 4-8% 
of the measured values, and the overcorrection could be as high as 3-6%.  
Without carbon-free water, this could not be improved.

11.3 Usage Guidance

Note that the definition of HA used here is more like the traditional soil 
science definition and differs from that used by many aquatic scientists (see 
references).  Note that DIC by difference is subject to more error than DIC 
measured directly.

11.4 Other Relevant Information

None given.

12. Application of the Data Set

This data set was created for BOREAS investigators who need soils data in the 
vicinity of the NSA for further modeling and to generate maps of carbon stocks 
and fluxes.

13. Future Modifications and Plans

None planned.

14. Software

14.1 Software Description

None.

14.2 Software Access

None given.

15. Data Access

15.1 Contact Information

Ms. Beth Nelson
BOREAS Data Manager
NASA GSFC
Greenbelt, MD 
(301) 286 4005
(301) 286 0239 (fax)
Elizabeth.Nelson@gsfc.nasa.gov

15.2 Data Center Identification

See Section 15.1.

15.3 Procedures for Obtaining Data

Users may place requests by telephone, electronic mail, or fax.

15.4 Data Center Status/Plans

The TGB-05 dissolved organic carbon data are available from the Earth Observing 
System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) 
Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC).  The BOREAS contact at ORNL is:

ORNL DAAC User Services
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(865) 241-3952
ornldaac@ornl.gov
ornl@eos.nasa.gov

16. Output Products and Availability

16.1 Tape Products

Not applicable

16.2   Film Products

Not applicable.

16.2 Other Products

Comma-delimited ASCII text files.

17. References

17.1   Platform/Sensor/Instrument/Data Processing Documentation

None.

17.2   Journal Articles and Study Reports

Aiken, G.R., D.M. McKnight, K.A. Thorn, and E.M. Thurman. 1992.  Isolation of 
hydrophilic organic acids from water using nonionic macroporous resins.  Org. 
Geochem., 18(4):567-753.

Bourbonniere, R.A. 1989.  Distribution patterns of dissolved organic matter 
fractions in natural waters from eastern Canada. Org. Geochem, 14:97-107.

Bourbonniere, R.A. and T. van Halderen. 1989.  Fractional precipitation of humic 
acid in coloured natural waters.  Water, Air & Soil Pollution, 46:187-198.

Bourbonniere, R.A., L.A. Ziolkowski, S.L. Telford, M.A. Moran, K.L. Bushaw, W.L. 
Miller, M.A. Tarr, and R.G. Zepp.  1995.  Character and biogeochemistry of 
dissolved organic matter in a boreal forest beaver pond near Thompson, Manitoba, 
Canada.  In: Organic Geochemistry: Developments and Applications to Energy, 
Climate, Environment and Human History, J.O. Grimalt and C. Dorronsoro - eds.  
Published by A.I.O.G.A., Donostia-San Sebastian, SPAIN, 1144-1146.

Dove, A.E.  1995.  Methane dynamics of a northern boreal beaver pond.  MSc Thesis, 
McGill University, Geography, Montreal, QC, 136 pp.

Leenheer, J.A. 1981.  Comprehensive approach to preparative isolation and 
fractionation of dissolved organic carbon from natural waters and wastewaters.  
Environ. Sci. Technol., 15:578-587.

Malcolm, R.L. and P. MacCarthy. 1992.  Quantitative evaluation of XAD-8 and XAD-
4 resins used in tandem for removing organic solutes from water.  Environ. 
Internat., 18:597-607.

Sellers, P.and  F. Hall. 1994. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment 
Plan. Version 1994-3.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 94). 

Sellers, P., F. Hall, H. Margolis, B. Kelly, D. Baldocchi, G. den Hartog, J. 
Cihlar, M.G. Ryan, B. Goodison, P. Crill, K.J. Ranson, D. Lettenmaier, and D.E. 
Wickland. 1995. The boreal ecosystem-atmosphere study (BOREAS): an overview and 
earlyresults from the 1994 field year. Bulletin of the American Meteorological 
Society. 76(9):1549-1577. 

Sellers, P.and F. Hall. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment 
Plan. Version 1996-2.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 96). 

Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere 
Study: 1994 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPSDOC 94). 

Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1997. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere 
Study: 1996 Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPSDOC 96). 

Sellers, P.J., F.G. Hall, R.D. Kelly, A. Black, D. Baldocchi, J. Berry, M. Ryan, 
K.J. Ranson, P.M. Crill, D.P. Lettenmaier, H. Margolis, J. Cihlar, J. Newcomer, 
D. Fitzjarrald, P.G. Jarvis, S.T. Gower, D. Halliwell, D. Williams, B. Goodison, 
D.E. Wickland, and F.E. Guertin. (1997). "BOREAS in 1997: Experiment Overview, 
Scientific Results and Future Directions", Journal of Geophysical Research 
(JGR), BOREAS Special Issue, 102(D24), Dec. 1997, pp. 28731-28770.  

17.3   Archive/DBMS Usage Documentation

None given.

18. Glossary of Terms

The fractionation procedure for DOM results in these fraction definitions:

Humic Acid (HA) - Precipitates within 24 hrs. at pH=2 from filtered whole water.
Fulvic Acid (FA) - Components that are soluble at pH=2.
FA Subfractions:
Hydrophobic Acid (HPOA) - Adsorbs to XAD-8 at pH=2 and is eluted with 0.1 M NaOH.
Hydrophobic Neutral (HPON) - Adsorbs to XAD-8 at pH=2, does not elute with 0.1 M 
NaOH, extracted off resin with methanol and acetonitrile.
Hydrophilic Acid (HPIA) - Adsorbs to XAD-4 resin at pH=2, elutes with 0.1 M NaOH.
Hydrophilic Neutral (HPIN) - Passes through both resins.
"XAD-4 Acids" (X4AC) - Adsorbs to XAD-4 at pH=2, does not elute with 0.1 M NaOH, 
extracted off resin with methanol and acetonitrile.

19. List of Acronyms:

    ASCII   - American Standrad Code for Inforamtion Interchange
    ASM     - Automatic Sampling Mode (for Carbon Analyzer)
    BOREAS  - BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study
    BORIS   - BOREAS Information System
    CHN     - Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen
    DAAC    - Distributed Active Archive Center
    DIC     - Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
    DOC     - Dissolved Organic Carbon
    DOY     - Day of Year (Julian Day)
    DOM     - Dissolved Organic Matter
    EOS     - Earth Observing System
    EOSDIS  - EOS Data and Information System
    FA      - Fulvic Acid (DOM that is soluble at pH=2)
    FFC-T   - Focused Field Campaign-Thaw
    GP      - Gillam Road Beaver Pond (NSA)
    GSFC    - Goddard Space Flight Center
    HA      - Humic Acid (DOM that is insoluble at pH=2)
    HPIA    - Hydrophilic Acid (fraction of FA)
    HPIN    - Hydrophilic Neutral (fraction of FA)
    HPOA    - Hydrophobic Acid (fraction of FA)
    HPON    - Hydrophobic Neutral (fraction of FA)
    HTCO    - High Temperature Catalytic Oxidation
    IFC     - Intensive Field Campaign
    NASA    - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    NDIR    - Nondispersive Infrared
    NSA     - Northern Study Area
    ORNL    - Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    PANP    - Prince Albert National Park
    PI      - Private Investigator
    POC     - Particulate Organic Carbon
    SSA     - Southern Study Area
    TGB-05  - Trace Gas biogeochemistry Team 5
    TC      - Total Carbon
    TP      - Tower Beaver Pond at the NSA (and sampling sites in its watershed)
    URL     - Uniform Resource Locator
    X4AC    - XAD-4 Acid (fraction of FA)

20 Document Information

20.1   Document Revision Date

Written:       13-Feb-1998
Last Updated:  11-Sep-1998

20.2 Document Review Date(s)

BORIS Review:  13-Feb-1998
Science Review:

20.3 Document

20.4 Citation

None given.

20.5 Document Curator

20.6   Document URL

Keywords:

Carbon Flux
Carbon Dioxide
Methane
TGB05_DissOrgC.doc
09/14/98