The Western Boreal Forest exhibits complex hydrogeology juxtaposed with rapid resource development. Predicting surface water chemistry to assess the influence of landuse and climate change is needed. The research purpose was to test if a global model (Gibbs), used to assess water chemistry relative to precipitation, geologic and evaporative processes can be applied to mid-continental locations; and test if regional to local scale controls of surface-groundwater interactions can be used to refine predictions where geologic processes dominate water chemistry. The global model applied to many ponds, but failed in dilute and saline ponds. Caution is necessary, as the model assumes chloride-dominated precipitation, and continental to regional scale groundwater systems influence water chemistry, independent of evaporative processes. Bedrock geology influenced ion composition, TDS and pH via mineral dissolution and scale of flow. Surficial geology influenced TDP, TDN, DOC, pH and TDS, and wetland connection influenced TDP, TDN and DOC via flowpath. To assess water chemistry and the influence of landuse and climate change, regional to local controls of surface-groundwater interactions prove valuable over the global assessment of chemistry in heterogeneous and complex landscapes. / Ecology
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:AEU.10048/1234 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Bell, Wayne Ronald Victor |
| Contributors | Devito, Kevin (Biological Sciences), Mendoza, Carl (Earth and Atmospheric Sciences), Bayne, Erin (Biological Sciences), Butterworth, Eric (Ducks Unlimited Canada) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 6218614 bytes, application/pdf |
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