Natural Nanoparticles and Colloids in Forested Streams Across Europe: Seasonal Patterns and Impact of Soil Groups

Abstract

The element loss from forested ecosystems is largely reflected by the so-called dissolved phase (20-60 nm, and >60 nm) were identified using field flow fractionation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and an organic carbon detector for the size-resolved detection of Al, Si, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, and organic C. Colloids accounted for up to 90%-100% of total element concentrations, emphasizing the importance of colloids for element cycling. Element concentrations showed seasonal patterns in stream waters. However, these patterns differed between the catchments with distinct soil groups: the catchments with dystrophic terrestrial soils exhibited peak flows in colloidal element concentrations during spring, whereas those with eutrophic terrestrial soils did during summer. By contrast, catchments with Gleysols showed season-unrelated single peaks of high element export. Peak concentrations were also influenced by the climatic regime, which in turn impacted colloid abundance.

Keywords

nutrient discharge; asymmetric field flow fractionation; particulate fraction

Published in

Global Biogeochemical Cycles
2025, volume: 39, number: 6, article number: e2024GB008467
Publisher: AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION

SLU Authors

• Laudon, Hjalmar

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GB008467

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142677