<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The study aimed to determine the linkage between soil exchangeable potassium (K+) concentration and stream water K+ concentration during rainfall and snowmelt events in small catchments with different land use (Carpathian Foothills, Poland). The complementary geochemical and hydrochemical approach used in the study produced new information on the role of particular soil horizons and contributing areas such as hillslope or riparian areas in K+ delivery to stream channels during events. Horizons lying above the nearly impermeable fragipan (Btx) play the most important role in the process of K+ influx to streams during most event types except snowmelts with frozen soils, in all the studied catchments. In the woodland catchment, rapid flushing of K+ from the topsoil Ah horizon with higher hydraulic conductivity (<italic>Ksat</italic>) and higher exchangeable K+ concentrations than in the lying lower E horizon resulted in a clockwise hysteresis of K+ in stream water during most events. In agricultural catchments, changes in stream water K+ concentration during events were determined by distinct differences between soil exchangeable K+ concentrations on hillslopes and in riparian areas.</abstract>

The study aimed to determine the linkage between soil exchangeable potassium (K+) concentration and stream water K+ concentration during rainfall and snowmelt events in small catchments with different land use (Carpathian Foothills, Poland). The complementary geochemical and hydrochemical approach used in the study produced new information on the role of particular soil horizons and contributing areas such as hillslope or riparian areas in K+ delivery to stream channels during events. Horizons lying above the nearly impermeable fragipan (Btx) play the most important role in the process of K+ influx to streams during most event types except snowmelts with frozen soils, in all the studied catchments. In the woodland catchment, rapid flushing of K+ from the topsoil Ah horizon with higher hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and higher exchangeable K+ concentrations than in the lying lower E horizon resulted in a clockwise hysteresis of K+ in stream water during most events. In agricultural catchments, changes in stream water K+ concentration during events were determined by distinct differences between soil exchangeable K+ concentrations on hillslopes and in riparian areas.

Linking soils and streams during events: response of stream water K+ concentration to soil exchangeable K+ concentration in small catchments with fragipan soils (Carpathian Foothills, Poland)

Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Department of Hydrology

Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Department of Pedology and Soil Geography

Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Field Research Station at Łazy

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Linking soils and streams during events: response of stream water K concentration to soil exchangeable K concentration in small catchments with fragipan soils (Carpathian Foothills, Poland)

The study aimed to determine the linkage between soil exchangeable potassium (K+) concentration and stream water K+ concentration during rainfall and snowmelt...

Linking soils and streams during events: response of stream water K⁺ concentration to soil exchangeable K⁺ concentration in small catchments with fragipan soils (Carpathian Foothills, Poland)

Published Online: Jan 26, 2021

Page range: 49 - 64

Received: May 07, 2020

Accepted: Aug 07, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2020-0037

Keywords
Hystereses of K+, Rainfall and snowmelt events, Soil exchangeable K concentration, Fragipan, Agricultural and woodland catchments, Carpathian Foothills

© 2021 Joanna P. Siwek et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Linking soils and streams during events: response of stream water K+ concentration to soil exchangeable K+ concentration in small catchments with fragipan soils (Carpathian Foothills, Poland)

Published Online: Jan 26, 2021

Page range: 49 - 64

Received: May 07, 2020

Accepted: Aug 07, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2020-0037

KeywordsHystereses of K+, Rainfall and snowmelt events, Soil exchangeable K concentration, Fragipan, Agricultural and woodland catchments, Carpathian Foothills

© 2021 Joanna P. Siwek et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Linking soils and streams during events: response of stream water K⁺ concentration to soil exchangeable K⁺ concentration in small catchments with fragipan soils (Carpathian Foothills, Poland)

Keywords
Hystereses of K+, Rainfall and snowmelt events, Soil exchangeable K concentration, Fragipan, Agricultural and woodland catchments, Carpathian Foothills