Long‐Term Stream Chemistry Patterns in a Boreal Watershed Underlain With Discontinuous Permafrost

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Abstract
The consequences of climate change on boreal ecosystems are evident in declining permafrost extent, amplifying positive climate feedback loops, and altering the timing and intensity of hydrologic events. Thawing permafrost in the discontinuous permafrost zone could affect carbon and nutrient cycling in stream ecosystems. We examined stream chemistry and climate trends over a 20+‐year period across catchments in the Caribou Poker Creeks Research Watershed underlain with varying extents of permafrost (4%–53%). The study aimed to evaluate patterns in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC, p CO 2 ), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (Dissolved organic nitrogen, and NO 3 − ), geochemical solutes (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , SO 4 2− ), and discharge to determine how altered terrestrial flowpaths and climate change‐related trends in temperature and precipitation have transformed solute transport in high‐latitude watersheds during the ice‐free season. We analyzed long‐term trends in stream chemistry using Thiel‐Sen analysis and a mixed effects model to quantify the influence of abiotic factors on solute concentrations. Results indicate significant declines in DOC (−109.0 to −169.9 μg L −1 yr −1 ) and p CO 2 (−24.1 ppmv yr −1 ) in higher permafrost extent sub‐catchments. The highest permafrost catchment is experiencing the greatest amount of change, contrasting sharply with opposite to fewer trends in the catchments with lower permafrost extent. Model results indicate the importance of moisture conditions and discharge ( p < 0.05), especially for changes in organic solutes. As climate change progresses, the role of these abiotic factors and permafrost thaw will remain important for solute transport dynamics in boreal headwater streams, with consequences for in‐stream communities and downstream solute yields.
Funding Information
  • U.S. Geological Survey (G21AP10613)

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