The effects of forest clear-cutting on stream water DOC :

Abstract: Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a dominant feature of water chemistry that strongly influences pH, buffering capacity, nutrient concentrations and bioavailability of metals and organic pollutants. This study of DOC concentrations in stream water was performed North West of Balsjö in northern Sweden. Sampling was performed during spring flood that is the prevailing hydrological period of the year. One watershed was totally clear-cut all the way to the stream, another was clear-cut leaving buffer strips along the stream channel, while a third catchment was left as a control. The treated areas were compared with the control area considering flux and concentrations of stream water DOC. The treated areas were also compared to a pre treatment period pervious year. The main objective of the study was to examine if the flux and concentration of DOC was affected by clear felling during spring flood in this northern part of Sweden. The second aim of the study was to investigate if a buffer strip reduced the amount of DOC in stream water. Results of the study shows that clear cutting significantly increased the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and output loads in run off water in the Balsjö forest catchments during the first year after clearing. The clearing also resulted in a higher runoff during spring flood. Considering the effects of a buffer strip, the result is rather speculative due to the study setup but indicates that a buffer zone might reduce transportation of DOC to water courses.