A Comparison of Stream Water and Shallow Groundwater Suspended Sediment Concentrations in a West Virginia Mixed-Use, Agro-Forested Watershed

Suspended sediment is an important constituent of freshwater ecosystems that supports biogeochemical, geomorphological, and ecological processes. Current knowledge suspended largely based on surface water studies; however, improved understanding in situ groundwater processes will improve pollutant loading estimates watershed remediation strategies. A study was conducted a representative mixed-use, agro-forested catchment the Chesapeake Bay Watershed northeast, USA, utilizing experimental design, including eight nested sub-catchments. Stream shallow grab samples were collected monthly from January 2020 to December (n = 192). Water analyzed for using gravimetric (mg/L) laser particle diffraction (µm) analytical methods. Results showed contained significantly higher (p < 0.001) total solid concentrations smaller sizes, relative stream water. Differences attributed variability between sites terms soil composition, land use/land cover, surficial geology, also sampling method used. hold implications transport biogeochemical modeling watersheds. Continued work needed characterization (i.e., mass sizes) utility this information strategies are designed meet quality goals.