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Malin JT, Kaushal SS, Mayer PM, Maas CM, Hohman SP, Rippy MA. Longitudinal stream synoptic (LSS) monitoring to evaluate water quality in restored streams. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:437. [PMID: 38592553 PMCID: PMC11069387 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12570-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Impervious surface cover increases peak flows and degrades stream health, contributing to a variety of hydrologic, water quality, and ecological symptoms, collectively known as the urban stream syndrome. Strategies to combat the urban stream syndrome often employ engineering approaches to enhance stream-floodplain reconnection, dissipate erosive forces from urban runoff, and enhance contaminant retention, but it is not always clear how effective such practices are or how to monitor for their effectiveness. In this study, we explore applications of longitudinal stream synoptic (LSS) monitoring (an approach where multiple samples are collected along stream flowpaths across both space and time) to narrow this knowledge gap. Specifically, we investigate (1) whether LSS monitoring can be used to detect changes in water chemistry along longitudinal flowpaths in response to stream-floodplain reconnection and (2) what is the scale over which restoration efforts improve stream quality. We present results for four different classes of water quality constituents (carbon, nutrients, salt ions, and metals) across five watersheds with varying degrees of stream-floodplain reconnection. Our work suggests that LSS monitoring can be used to evaluate stream restoration strategies when implemented at meter to kilometer scales. As streams flow through restoration features, concentrations of nutrients, salts, and metals significantly decline (p < 0.05) or remain unchanged. This same pattern is not evident in unrestored streams, where salt ion concentrations (e.g., Na+, Ca2+, K+) significantly increase with increasing impervious cover. When used in concert with statistical approaches like principal component analysis, we find that LSS monitoring reveals changes in entire chemical mixtures (e.g., salts, metals, and nutrients), not just individual water quality constituents. These chemical mixtures are locally responsive to restoration projects, but can be obscured at the watershed scale and overwhelmed during storm events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph T Malin
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
- Environmental Quality Resources, L.L.C., 2391 Brandermill Blvd., Suite 301, Gambrills, MD, 21054, USA.
| | - Sujay S Kaushal
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Paul M Mayer
- Environmental Protection Agency, 805 SW Broadway #500, Portland, OR, 97205, USA
| | - Carly M Maas
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- United States Geological Survey, 1730 E Parham Road, Richmond, VA, 23228, USA
| | - Steven P Hohman
- Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA
| | - Megan A Rippy
- Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory, The Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 9408 Prince William Street, Manassas, VA, USA
- Center for Coastal Studies, Virginia Tech, 1068A Derring Hall (0420), Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Disaster Resilience and Risk Management (DRRM), 1068A Derring Hall, 405 Perry Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
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Chen ZL, Zhang H, Yi Y, He Y, Li P, Wang Y, Wang K, Yan Z, He C, Shi Q, He D. Dissolved organic matter composition and characteristics during extreme flood events in the Yangtze River Estuary. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 914:169827. [PMID: 38190911 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular composition and fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) during transport in estuaries is essential for gaining a comprehensive understanding of its role within the global biogeochemical cycle. In 2020, a catastrophic flood occurred in the Yangtze River basin. It is currently unknown whether differences in hydrologic conditions due to extreme flooding will significantly impact the estuarine to oceanic DOM cycle. We determined the DOM composition in the Yangtze River estuary (YRE) to the East China Sea by using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) during the high discharge and the flood period (monthly average discharge was 1.2 times higher) on the same trajectory. Our study found that the composition of DOM is more diverse, and more DOM molecules were introduced to the YRE during the flood, especially in the freshwater end member. The result revealed that the DOM was significantly labile and unstable during the flood period. A total of 1840 unique molecular formulas were identified during the flood period, most of which were CHON, CHONS, and CHOS compounds, most likely resulting from anthropogenic inputs from upstream. Only 194 of these molecules were detected in the seawater end member after transporting to the sea, suggesting that the YRE served as a 'filter' of DOM. However, the flood enhances the transport of a group of terrigenous DOM, that is resistant to photodegradation and biodegradation. As a result, YRE experienced ~1.6 times higher terrigenous DOC flux than high discharge period. Considering the increased frequency of future floods, our study provides a preliminary basis for further research on how floods affect the composition and characteristics of estuarine DOM. With the help of the FT-ICR MS technique, we can now better understand the dynamic of DOM composition and characteristics in large river estuaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Liang Chen
- Department of Ocean Science and Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Haibo Zhang
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China.
| | - Yuanbi Yi
- Department of Ocean Science and Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Yuhe He
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Penghui Li
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519082, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, Guangdong 519080, China
| | - Yuntao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Zhenwei Yan
- Department of Ocean Science and Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Chen He
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Changping, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Quan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Changping, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Ding He
- Department of Ocean Science and Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, New Territories, 999077, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China.
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3
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Lowman HE, Shriver RK, Hall RO, Harvey JW, Savoy P, Yackulic CB, Blaszczak JR. Macroscale controls determine the recovery of river ecosystem productivity following flood disturbances. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2307065121. [PMID: 38266048 PMCID: PMC10835108 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307065121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
River ecosystem function depends on flow regimes that are increasingly modified by changes in climate, land use, water extraction, and flow regulation. Given the wide range of variation in flow regime modifications and autotrophic communities in rivers, it has been challenging to predict which rivers will be more resilient to flow disturbances. To better understand how river productivity is disturbed by and recovers from high-flow disturbance events, we used a continental-scale dataset of daily gross primary production time series from 143 rivers to estimate growth of autotrophic biomass and ecologically relevant flow disturbance thresholds using a modified population model. We compared biomass recovery rates across hydroclimatic gradients and catchment characteristics to evaluate macroscale controls on ecosystem recovery. Estimated biomass accrual (i.e., recovery) was fastest in wider rivers with less regulated flow regimes and more frequent instances of biomass removal during high flows. Although disturbance flow thresholds routinely fell below the estimated bankfull flood (i.e., the 2-y flood), a direct comparison of disturbance flows estimated by our biomass model and a geomorphic model revealed that biomass disturbance thresholds were usually greater than bed disturbance thresholds. We suggest that primary producers in rivers vary widely in their capacity to recover following flow disturbances, and multiple, interacting macroscale factors control productivity recovery rates, although river width had the strongest overall effect. Biomass disturbance flow thresholds varied as a function of geomorphology, highlighting the need for data such as bed slope and grain size to predict how river ecosystems will respond to changing flow regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heili E. Lowman
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV89557
| | - Robert K. Shriver
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV89557
| | - Robert O. Hall
- Division of Biological Sciences, Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, MT59860
| | - Judson W. Harvey
- U.S. Geological Survey, Earth System Processes Division, Reston, VA20192
| | - Philip Savoy
- U.S. Geological Survey, Earth System Processes Division, Reston, VA20192
| | - Charles B. Yackulic
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ86001
| | - Joanna R. Blaszczak
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV89557
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Blaszczak JR, Yackulic CB, Shriver RK, Hall RO. Models of underlying autotrophic biomass dynamics fit to daily river ecosystem productivity estimates improve understanding of ecosystem disturbance and resilience. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:1510-1522. [PMID: 37353910 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Directly observing autotrophic biomass at ecologically relevant frequencies is difficult in many ecosystems, hampering our ability to predict productivity through time. Since disturbances can impart distinct reductions in river productivity through time by modifying underlying standing stocks of biomass, mechanistic models fit to productivity time series can infer underlying biomass dynamics. We incorporated biomass dynamics into a river ecosystem productivity model for six rivers to identify disturbance flow thresholds and understand the resilience of primary producers. The magnitude of flood necessary to disturb biomass and thereby reduce ecosystem productivity was consistently lower than the more commonly used disturbance flow threshold of the flood magnitude necessary to mobilize river bed sediment. The estimated daily maximum percent increase in biomass (a proxy for resilience) ranged from 5% to 42% across rivers. Our latent biomass model improves understanding of disturbance thresholds and recovery patterns of autotrophic biomass within river ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna R Blaszczak
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, Montana, USA
| | - Charles B Yackulic
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Robert K Shriver
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Robert O Hall
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, Montana, USA
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River ecosystem metabolism and carbon biogeochemistry in a changing world. Nature 2023; 613:449-459. [PMID: 36653564 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05500-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
River networks represent the largest biogeochemical nexus between the continents, ocean and atmosphere. Our current understanding of the role of rivers in the global carbon cycle remains limited, which makes it difficult to predict how global change may alter the timing and spatial distribution of riverine carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. Here we review the state of river ecosystem metabolism research and synthesize the current best available estimates of river ecosystem metabolism. We quantify the organic and inorganic carbon flux from land to global rivers and show that their net ecosystem production and carbon dioxide emissions shift the organic to inorganic carbon balance en route from land to the coastal ocean. Furthermore, we discuss how global change may affect river ecosystem metabolism and related carbon fluxes and identify research directions that can help to develop better predictions of the effects of global change on riverine ecosystem processes. We argue that a global river observing system will play a key role in understanding river networks and their future evolution in the context of the global carbon budget.
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Lebepe J, Khumalo N, Mnguni A, Pillay S, Mdluli S. Macroinvertebrate Assemblages along the Longitudinal Gradient of an Urban Palmiet River in Durban, South Africa. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050705. [PMID: 35625433 PMCID: PMC9138657 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urban rivers are regarded as unnatural because they drain catchments characterized by impervious surfaces. The present study explored macroinvertebrate communities in relation to water and habitat quality along the longitudinal gradient of an urban Palmiet River in Durban, South Africa. Sampling was conducted across six sites along the river. The water quality has shown a significant variation (ANOVA, p < 0.05) across six sites. Good-quality water was observed at Site 6, whereas Site 5 exhibiting hypertrophic condition. Sites 4 to 1 were all eutrophic; however, nutrient levels showed to decrease from Site 4 down to Site 2 and increased again at Site 1. A similar trend was observed for habitat quality, with Site 6 showing excellent and Site 5 exhibited poor habitat. Coinciding with water and habitat quality, macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance showed significant differences across six sites. Sensitive palaemonids, notonemourids, and amphipods were only observed in the headwaters and have contributed over 50% of the variation in abundance between Site 6 and other sites. The non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) plot has also shown clear discrimination (MANOVA, p < 0.001) for the Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) across the six sites. Macroinvertebrate communities have shown a clear association between water and habitat quality. These findings affirm the ecological importance of urban rivers as they provide refuge to aquatic biodiversity, with anthropogenic litter providing additional habitats for other taxa. Despite the current conditions supporting biodiversity and the functioning of the river, it is unclear if the system could endure further disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Lebepe
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (N.K.); (A.M.); (S.P.); (S.M.)
- Department of Biology, School of Science and Technology, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
- Correspondence: or
| | - Ntombifuthi Khumalo
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (N.K.); (A.M.); (S.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Anele Mnguni
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (N.K.); (A.M.); (S.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Sashin Pillay
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (N.K.); (A.M.); (S.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Sphosakhe Mdluli
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (N.K.); (A.M.); (S.P.); (S.M.)
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7
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Gaiser EE, Kominoski JS, McKnight DM, Bahlai CA, Cheng C, Record S, Wollheim WM, Christianson KR, Downs MR, Hawman PA, Holbrook SJ, Kumar A, Mishra DR, Molotch NP, Primack RB, Rassweiler A, Schmitt RJ, Sutter LA. Long-term ecological research and the COVID-19 anthropause: A window to understanding social-ecological disturbance. Ecosphere 2022; 13:e4019. [PMID: 35573027 PMCID: PMC9087370 DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The period of disrupted human activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, coined the "anthropause," altered the nature of interactions between humans and ecosystems. It is uncertain how the anthropause has changed ecosystem states, functions, and feedback to human systems through shifts in ecosystem services. Here, we used an existing disturbance framework to propose new investigation pathways for coordinated studies of distributed, long-term social-ecological research to capture effects of the anthropause. Although it is still too early to comprehensively evaluate effects due to pandemic-related delays in data availability and ecological response lags, we detail three case studies that show how long-term data can be used to document and interpret changes in air and water quality and wildlife populations and behavior coinciding with the anthropause. These early findings may guide interpretations of effects of the anthropause as it interacts with other ongoing environmental changes in the future, particularly highlighting the importance of long-term data in separating disturbance impacts from natural variation and long-term trends. Effects of this global disturbance have local to global effects on ecosystems with feedback to social systems that may be detectable at spatial scales captured by nationally to globally distributed research networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn E. Gaiser
- Institute of Environment and Department of Biological SciencesFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - John S. Kominoski
- Institute of Environment and Department of Biological SciencesFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Diane M. McKnight
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and Environmental Studies ProgramUniversity of ColoradoBoulderColoradoUSA
| | | | - Chingwen Cheng
- The Design SchoolArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | - Sydne Record
- Department of BiologyBryn Mawr CollegeBryn MawrPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Wilfred M. Wollheim
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNew HampshireUSA
| | | | - Martha R. Downs
- National Center for Ecological Analysis and SynthesisUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Peter A. Hawman
- Department of GeographyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Sally J. Holbrook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Noah P. Molotch
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine ResearchUniversity of ColoradoBoulderColoradoUSA
| | | | - Andrew Rassweiler
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Russell J. Schmitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lori A. Sutter
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
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Long-term assessment of floodplain reconnection as a stream restoration approach for managing nitrogen in ground and surface waters. Urban Ecosyst 2022; 25:879-907. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-021-01199-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractStream restoration is a popular approach for managing nitrogen (N) in degraded, flashy urban streams. Here, we investigated the long-term effects of stream restoration involving floodplain reconnection on riparian and in-stream N transport and transformation in an urban stream in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We examined relationships between hydrology, chemistry, and biology using a Before/After-Control/Impact (BACI) study design to determine how hydrologic flashiness, nitrate (NO3−) concentrations (mg/L), and N flux, both NO3− and total N (kg/yr), changed after the restoration and floodplain hydrologic reconnection to its stream channel. We examined two independent surface water and groundwater data sets (EPA and USGS) collected from 2002–2012 at our study sites in the Minebank Run watershed. Restoration was completed during 2004 and 2005. Afterward, the monthly hydrologic flashiness index, based on mean monthly discharge, decreased over time from 2002 and 2008. However, from 2008–2012 hydrologic flashiness returned to pre-restoration levels. Based on the EPA data set, NO3− concentration in groundwater and surface water was significantly less after restoration while the control site showed no change. DOC and NO3− were negatively related before and after restoration suggesting C limitation of N transformations. Long-term trends in surface water NO3− concentrations based on USGS surface water data showed downward trends after restoration at both the restored and control sites, whereas specific conductance showed no trend. Comparisons of NO3− concentrations with Cl− concentrations and specific conductance in both ground and surface waters suggested that NO3− reduction after restoration was not due to dilution or load reductions from the watershed. Modeled NO3− flux decreased post restoration over time but the rate of decrease was reduced likely due to failure of restoration features that facilitated N transformations. Groundwater NO3− concentrations varied among stream features suggesting that some engineered features may be functionally better at creating optimal conditions for N retention. However, some engineered features eroded and failed post restoration thereby reducing efficacy of the stream restoration to reduce flashiness and NO3− flux. N management via stream restoration will be most effective where flashiness can be reduced and DOC made available for denitrifiers. Stream restoration may be an important component of holistic watershed management including stormwater management and nutrient source control if stream restoration and floodplain reconnection can be done in a manner to resist the erosive effects of large storm events that can degrade streams to pre-restoration conditions. Long-term evolution of water quality functions in response to degradation of restored stream channels and floodplains from urban stressors and storms over time warrants further study, however.
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Aoki LR, Brisbin MM, Hounshell AG, Kincaid DW, Larson EI, Sansom BJ, Shogren AJ, Smith RS, Sullivan-Stack J. OUP accepted manuscript. Bioscience 2022; 72:508-520. [PMID: 35677292 PMCID: PMC9169894 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biac020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extreme events have increased in frequency globally, with a simultaneous surge in scientific interest about their ecological responses, particularly in sensitive freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems. We synthesized observational studies of extreme events in these aquatic ecosystems, finding that many studies do not use consistent definitions of extreme events. Furthermore, many studies do not capture ecological responses across the full spatial scale of the events. In contrast, sampling often extends across longer temporal scales than the event itself, highlighting the usefulness of long-term monitoring. Many ecological studies of extreme events measure biological responses but exclude chemical and physical responses, underscoring the need for integrative and multidisciplinary approaches. To advance extreme event research, we suggest prioritizing pre- and postevent data collection, including leveraging long-term monitoring; making intersite and cross-scale comparisons; adopting novel empirical and statistical approaches; and developing funding streams to support flexible and responsive data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexandria G Hounshell
- Biological Sciences Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
| | - Dustin W Kincaid
- Vermont EPSCoR and Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States
| | - Erin I Larson
- Institute of Culture and Environment, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
| | - Brandon J Sansom
- Department of Geography, State University of New York University, Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
- US Geological Survey's Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, United States
| | - Arial J Shogren
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing Michigan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Alabama, United States
| | - Rachel S Smith
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Jenna Sullivan-Stack
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States
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Large spatiotemporal variability in metabolic regimes for an urban stream draining four wastewater treatment plants with implications for dissolved oxygen monitoring. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256292. [PMID: 34428262 PMCID: PMC8384190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization and subsequent expansion of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) capacity has the potential to alter stream metabolic regimes, but the magnitude of this change remains unknown. Indeed, our understanding of downstream WWTP effects on stream metabolism is spatially and temporally limited, and monitoring designs with upstream-downstream comparison sites are rare. Despite this, and despite observed spatiotemporal variability in stream metabolic regimes, regulators typically use snapshot monitoring to assess ecosystem function in receiving streams, potentially leading to biased conclusions about stream health. To address these important practical issues, we assessed the spatiotemporal variability in stream metabolism at nine sites upstream and downstream of four WWTPs in a suburban stream. We used one year (2017–2018) of high-frequency dissolved oxygen (DO) data to model daily gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER). We found that GPP was 1.7–4.0 times higher and ER was 1.2–7.2 times higher downstream of the WWTPs, especially in spring when light was not limited by canopy shading. Critically, we observed that these effects were spatially limited to the kilometer or so just downstream of the plant. These effects were also temporally limited, and metabolic rates upstream of WWTPs were not different from sites downstream of the plant after leaf-out at some sites. Across sites, regardless of their relation to WWTPs, GPP was positively correlated with potential incident light suggesting that light is the dominant control on GPP in this system. Temporal windowing of DO to proposed regulatory monitoring lengths revealed that the violation frequency of water quality criteria depended on both the monitoring interval and start date. We conclude that spatiotemporal variability in metabolism and DO are crucial considerations when developing monitoring programs to assess ecosystem function, and that evidence of WWTP effects may only arise during high light conditions and at limited scales.
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11
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Response of Stream Metabolism to Coarse Woody Debris Additions Along a Catchment Disturbance Gradient. Ecosystems 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-021-00687-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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13
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Pang Y, Wang K, Sun Y, Zhou Y, Yang S, Li Y, He C, Shi Q, He D. Linking the unique molecular complexity of dissolved organic matter to flood period in the Yangtze River mainstream. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 764:142803. [PMID: 33757246 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Large rivers transport a significant amount of terrestrially derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) to coastal oceans, consisting of a critical component of the global biogeochemical cycle. Although high flow events usually introduce more terrestrial DOM than baseflow, the underlying molecular complexity and lability of DOM during high discharge are not well constrained, especially in large river ecosystems. By combining ultraviolet and fluorescent spectroscopy, and ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry, we found that stronger terrestrial DOM signal was detected during high discharge than normal discharge in the Yangtze River mainstream. The averaged DOC concentration was higher during high discharge than normal discharge. Optical properties confirmed higher aromaticity and relatively higher humic-like fluorescent components in DOM during high discharge. The molecular composition showed significantly higher molecular complexity, averaged molecular weight, aromaticity, relative abundances of polyphenols and highly unsaturated compounds of DOM during high discharge than normal discharge. A large set of unique molecular formulae (up to 4927) was only detected during high discharge. These unique molecular formulae were mostly lignin degradation products, likely due to more intensive soil leaching during high discharge. By comparing with incubation experiments and the Yangtze River mouth and East China Sea DOM molecular composition, some of these unique molecular formulae during high discharge are resistant to both bio- and photo-degradation, and persist during their transport to the East China Sea. Therefore, we suggest that high discharge will additionally introduce a relatively recalcitrant pool of DOM into the Yangtze River mainstream and persist during its journey to the ocean. Considering the projected increase of flood frequency, this study provides a preliminary foundation for further studies to better assess the underlying mechanisms how hydrology affect the biogeochemical cycling of DOM in large rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Pang
- Key Laboratory of Geoscience Big Data and Deep Resource of Zhejiang Province, School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Geoscience Big Data and Deep Resource of Zhejiang Province, School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongge Sun
- Key Laboratory of Geoscience Big Data and Deep Resource of Zhejiang Province, School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuping Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Geoscience Big Data and Deep Resource of Zhejiang Province, School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shouye Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Changping District, Beijing, China
| | - Chen He
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Changping District, Beijing, China
| | - Quan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Changping District, Beijing, China
| | - Ding He
- Key Laboratory of Geoscience Big Data and Deep Resource of Zhejiang Province, School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China.
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14
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Reisinger AJ, Doody TR, Groffman PM, Kaushal SS, Rosi EJ. Seeing the light: urban stream restoration affects stream metabolism and nitrate uptake via changes in canopy cover. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01941. [PMID: 31155778 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The continually increasing global population residing in urban landscapes impacts numerous ecosystem functions and services provided by urban streams. Urban stream restoration is often employed to offset these impacts and conserve or enhance the various functions and services these streams provide. Despite the assumption that "if you build it, [the function] will come," current understanding of the effects of urban stream restoration on stream ecosystem functions are based on short term studies that may not capture variation in restoration effectiveness over time. We quantified the impact of stream restoration on nutrient and energy dynamics of urban streams by studying 10 urban stream reaches (five restored, five unrestored) in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA, region over a two-year period. We measured gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) at the whole-stream scale continuously throughout the study and nitrate (NO3- -N) spiraling rates seasonally (spring, summer, autumn) across all reaches. There was no significant restoration effect on NO3- -N spiraling across reaches. However, there was a significant canopy cover effect on NO3- -N spiraling, and directly comparing paired sets of unrestored-restored reaches showed that restoration does affect NO3- -N spiraling after accounting for other environmental variation. Furthermore, there was a change in GPP : ER seasonality, with restored and open-canopied reaches exhibiting higher GPP : ER during summer. The restoration effect, though, appears contingent upon altered canopy cover, which is likely to be a temporary effect of restoration and is a driver of multiple ecosystem services, e.g., habitat, riparian nutrient processing. Our results suggest that decision-making about stream restoration, including evaluations of nutrient benefits, clearly needs to consider spatial and temporal dynamics of canopy cover and trade-offs among multiple ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Reisinger
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
- Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Thomas R Doody
- Department of Geology, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA
| | - Peter M Groffman
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
- Brooklyn College Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, New York, New York, 10031, USA
| | - Sujay S Kaushal
- Department of Geology, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
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15
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Addy K, Gold AJ, Welsh MK, August PV, Stolt MH, Arango CP, Groffman PM. Connectivity and Nitrate Uptake Potential of Intermittent Streams in the Northeast USA. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Subalusky AL, Dutton CL, Njoroge L, Rosi EJ, Post DM. Organic matter and nutrient inputs from large wildlife influence ecosystem function in the Mara River, Africa. Ecology 2018; 99:2558-2574. [PMID: 30179253 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Animals can be important vectors for the movement of resources across ecosystem boundaries. Animals add resources to ecosystems primarily through egestion, excretion, and carcasses, and the stoichiometry and bioavailability of these inputs likely interact with characteristics of the recipient ecosystem to determine their effects on ecosystem function. We studied the influence of hippopotamus excretion/egestion and wildebeest carcasses, and their interactions with discharge, in the Mara River, Kenya. We measured nutrient dissolution and decomposition rates of wildlife inputs, the influence of inputs on nutrient concentrations and nutrient limitation in the river and the influence of inputs on biofilm growth and function in both experimental streams and along a gradient of inputs in the river. We found that hippopotamus excretion/egestion increases ammonium and coarse particulate organic matter in the river, and wildebeest carcasses increase ammonium, soluble reactive phosphorus, and total phosphorus. Concentrations of dissolved carbon and nutrients in the water column increased along a gradient of wildlife inputs and during low discharge, although concentrations of particulate carbon decreased during low discharge due to deposition on the river bottom. Autotrophs were nitrogen limited and heterotrophs were carbon limited and nitrogen and phosphorus colimited upstream of animal inputs but there was no nutrient limitation downstream of inputs. In experimental streams, hippo and wildebeest inputs together increased biofilm gross primary production (GPP) and respiration (R). These results differed in the river, where low concentrations of hippo inputs increased gross primary production (GPP) and respiration (R) of biofilms, but high concentrations of hippo inputs in conjunction with wildebeest inputs decreased GPP. Our research shows that inputs from large wildlife alleviate nutrient limitation and stimulate ecosystem metabolism in the Mara River and that the extent to which these inputs subsidize the ecosystem is mediated by the quantity and quality of inputs and discharge of the river ecosystem. Thus, animal inputs provide an important ecological subsidy to this river, and animal inputs were likely important in many other rivers prior to the widespread extirpation of large wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Subalusky
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, USA.,Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
| | - Christopher L Dutton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, USA
| | - Laban Njoroge
- Invertebrate Zoology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
| | - David M Post
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, USA
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17
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Kaushal SS, Gold AJ, Bernal S, Johnson TAN, Addy K, Burgin A, Burns DA, Coble AA, Hood E, Lu Y, Mayer P, Minor EC, Schroth AW, Vidon P, Wilson H, Xenopoulos MA, Doody T, Galella J, Goodling P, Haviland K, Haq S, Wessel B, Wood K, Jaworski N, Belt KT. Watershed 'Chemical Cocktails': Forming Novel Elemental Combinations in Anthropocene Fresh Waters. BIOGEOCHEMISTRY 2018; 141:281-305. [PMID: 31427837 PMCID: PMC6699637 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-018-0502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In the Anthropocene1, watershed chemical transport is increasingly dominated by novel combinations elements, which are hydrologically linked together as 'chemical cocktails.' Chemical cocktails are novel because human activities greatly enhance elemental concentrations and their probability for biogeochemical interactions and shared transport along hydrologic flowpaths. A new chemical cocktail approach advances our ability to: trace contaminant mixtures in watersheds, develop chemical proxies with high-resolution sensor data, and manage multiple water quality problems. We explore the following questions: (1) Can we classify elemental transport in watersheds as chemical cocktails using a new approach? (2) What is the role of climate and land use in enhancing the formation and transport of chemical cocktails in watersheds? To address these questions, we first analyze trends in concentrations of carbon, nutrients, metals, and salts in fresh waters over 100 years. Next, we explore how climate and land use enhance the probability of formation of chemical cocktails of carbon, nutrients, metals, and salts. Ultimately, we classify transport of chemical cocktails based on solubility, mobility, reactivity, and dominant phases: (1) sieved chemical cocktails (e.g., particulate forms of nutrients, metals and organic matter); (2) filtered chemical cocktails (e.g., dissolved organic matter and associated metal complexes); (3) chromatographic chemical cocktails (e.g., ions eluted from soil exchange sites); and (4) reactive chemical cocktails (e.g., limiting nutrients and redox sensitive elements). Typically, contaminants are regulated and managed one element at a time, even though combinations of elements interact to influence many water-quality problems such as toxicity to life, eutrophication, infrastructure and water treatment. A chemical cocktail approach significantly expands evaluations of water-quality signatures and impacts beyond single elements to mixtures. High-frequency sensor data (pH, specific conductance, turbidity, etc.) can serve as proxies for chemical cocktails and improve real-time analyses of water-quality violations, identify regulatory needs, and track water quality recovery following and extreme climate events. Ultimately, a watershed chemical cocktail approach is necessary for effectively co-managing groups of contaminants and provides a more holistic approach for studying, monitoring, and managing water quality in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujay S Kaushal
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA
| | - Arthur J Gold
- College Park, Maryland 20740, USA department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA
| | - Susana Bernal
- Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Center for Advanced studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), C/ Acces Cala St. Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Girona, Spain
| | - Tammy A Newcomer Johnson
- National Exposure Research Lab, Systems Exposure Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, USA
| | - Kelly Addy
- College Park, Maryland 20740, USA department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA
| | - Amy Burgin
- University of Kansas and Kanas Biological Survey, 2101 Constant Ave., Lawrence, Kansas 66047, USA
| | - Douglas A Burns
- U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center, 425 Jordan Rd., Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Ashley A Coble
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc., 227 NW Third Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97330, USA
| | - Eran Hood
- Environmental Science and Geography Program, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, Alaska 99801, USA
| | - Yuehan Lu
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, USA
| | - Paul Mayer
- US Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Lab, Western Ecology Division, 200 SW 35 Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Minor
- Large Lakes Observatory and Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Duluth, 109 RLB, 2205 East 5 St, Duluth, Minnesota 55812, USA
| | - Andrew W Schroth
- University of Vermont, Department of Geology, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Philippe Vidon
- Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management, The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Foresty (SUNY- ESF), Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Henry Wilson
- Brandon Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Thomas Doody
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA
| | - Joseph Galella
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA
| | - Phillip Goodling
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA
| | - Katherine Haviland
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 USA
| | - Shahan Haq
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA
| | - Barret Wessel
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA
| | - Kelsey Wood
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, USA
| | - Norbert Jaworski
- US Environmental Protection Agency (Retired), Baltimore Field Station, Baltimore, Maryland 21228, USA
| | - Kenneth T Belt
- US Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Baltimore Field Station, Baltimore, Maryland 21228, USA
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