The effects of land cover on the export of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and iron has been widely studied in the literature. While broad differences in land cover type are well understood the importance of small-scale differences has not been as well explored. Newfoundland, Canada is dominated by boreal and peat environments that are capable of transporting large amounts of ecologically relevant carbon and iron from land into the open ocean. The landscapes present are not completely homogonous with small lakes, shrubs, barrens, forest, and in peat environments small, stunted stands of trees can be found. These small breaks in the homogeneity of the landscape, in addition to other geological features, act to create distinct ecozones across the island of Newfoundland. In June 2022, we sampled rivers directly draining into the coast from 7 different ecozones. Two rivers were sampled for each ecozone, and samples were subjected to an artificial salinity gradient mimicking the conditions of an estuary.  Changes in carbon and iron concentrations, DOM properties, and iron carrying capacities were assessed for each ecozone. Statistical analysis of the results show the importance of small differences in the landscape and have implications for carbon and iron burial in the coastal environment

Primary Presenter: Kavi Heerah, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (kmheerah@mun.ca)

Authors:

Erin Bungay, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador   (ebungay@mun.ca)

Kailee Clarke, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador   (kgclarke@mun.ca)

Heather Reader, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador   (hreader@mun.ca)