The collection of high frequency water quality data are key to making the next leap in hydrological and biogeochemical sciences. Commercially available situ ultraviolet‐visual (UV‐Vis) spectrometers make possible long‐term absorption spectra multiple times per hour. This technology has proven useful for measuring nitrate, dissolved organic carbon, total suspended solids many environments, but not been tested tidal marsh conditions where upstream freshwater mixes with estuarine waters,...

Abstract Fluorescence was used to examine the quality of dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM POM) exchanging between a tidal creek in created salt marsh its adjacent estuary eastern North Carolina, USA. Samples from were collected hourly over four cycles May, July, August, October 2011. Absorbance fluorescence chromophoric DOM (CDOM) base‐extracted POM (BEPOM) served as tracers for while carbon (DOC) (BEPOC) compute fluxes. modeled using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) principle...

Populations of many shrubland bird species are declining in the eastern United States. Efforts to restore and early-successional forest may help ameliorate these declines. However, uncertainty remains about how size shape habitat patches surrounding matrix affect patch occupancy by passerines. Our objectives were determine if birds avoid small or irregularly shaped identify minimum area requirements for area-sensitive species. Additionally, we sought proportion mature cover landscape...

Agricultural contributions of nitrogen are a serious concern for many water resources and have spurred the implementation riparian buffer zones to reduce groundwater nitrate (NO). The optimum design buffers is subject debate, there few long-term studies. objective this project was determine effectiveness over time (12 yr) types (trees, switchgrass, fescue, native, control) widths (8 15 m) by measuring NO-N dissolved organic carbon (DOC) trends. At intermediate depth (1.5-2.1 m), reduction...

ABSTRACT A wetland mesocosm experiment was conducted in eastern North Carolina to determine if organic matter (OM) addition soils used for in‐stream constructed wetlands would increase NO 3 − –N treatment. Not all are suitable substrate, so OM can provide a carbon and nutrient source the early its development enhance denitrification biomass growth. Four batch studies, with initial concentrations ranging from 30 120 mg L −1 , were 2002 21 surface‐flow mesocosms. The results indicated that...

Abstract The effects of habitat edges on nest survival shrubland birds, many which have experienced significant declines in the eastern United States, not been thoroughly studied. In 2007 and 2008, we collected data nests 5 passerine species 12 early successional forest patches North Carolina, USA. We used model selection methods to assess effect distance cropland mature edge predation rates additionally accounted for temporal trends, stage, vegetation structure, landscape context. For all...

The introduction of portable in situ ultraviolet-visual spectrometers has made possible the collection water quality parameters at a high frequency dynamic systems such as tidal marshes. usefulness this technology is inhibited by fouling instrument's optics. In study, spectrometer fitted with manufacturer-recommended compressed air optical cleaning was installed brackish marsh to determine if interfered measurements between bi-weekly servicing. During 2-wk period, absorbance measured 220 nm...

Across the globe, water quality standards have been implemented to protect receiving waters from stormwater pollution, motivating regulators (and consequently designers) develop tools predict performance of control measures such as constructed wetlands (CSWs). The goal this study was determine how well relaxed tanks-in-series (P-k-C*) model described CSWs in North Carolina. Storm events monitored at 10 Carolina were used for calibrating model, and statistical evaluations concluded could...

As the use of constructed storm water wetlands to treat runoff becomes more frequent, strategies for maintaining or increasing their pollutant removal over time must be examined. One potential strategy is plant harvesting at surface remove nutrients that would otherwise deposited back into wetland during senescence. This technical note presents a first look this from management perspective. Vegetation was harvested two located in Smithfield and Pactolus, North Carolina, evaluate ability five...

The objective of the study was to determine kinetic model that best fit observed nitrate removal rates at mesocosm scale in order ideal loading for two future wetland restorations slated receive pulse flow agricultural drainage water. Four models were investigated: zero order, first decay, efficiency loss, and Monod. Wetland mesocosms constructed using primary soil type (in triplicate) each restoration sites. Eighteen experiments conducted over years across seasons. Simulated water loaded...

Nitrate losses from subsurface drainage systems remain an important environmental concern. Data were collectedfrom two near Plymouth, North Carolina, to evaluate the effect of drain depth on nitrate-nitrogen(NO3--N) losses. Drains in plot 1 1.5 m deep and 25 apart, drains 2 0.75 12.5 apart.Both plots received swine wastewater applications. Overall, shallow system had 42% less outflow than thedeeper system. Lower NO3--N concentrations observed groundwater beneath shallowdrainage as a result...

Abstract The riparian ecosystem management model ( REMM ) was field tested using five years (2005‐2009) of measured hydrologic and water quality data on a buffer located in the Tar‐Pamlico River Basin, North Carolina. site received NO 3 ‐N loading from an agricultural that fertilized with inorganic fertilizer. Field results showed reduced groundwater concentration moving to stream over five‐year period. calibrated hydrologically daily field‐measured table depths WTD s), monthly...