Abstract. Measurements of the isotopic composition of separate and potentially interacting pools of soil water provide a powerful means to precisely resolve plant water sources and quantify water residence time and connectivity among soil water regions during recharge events. Here we present an approach for quantifying the time-dependent isotopic mixing of water recovered at separate suction pressures or tensions in soil over an entire moisture release curve. We wetted oven-dried, homogenized sandy loam soil first with isotopically “light” water (δ2H =-130 ‰; δ18O =-17.6 ‰) to represent antecedent moisture held at high matric tension. We then brought the soil to near saturation with “heavy” water (δ2H =-44 ‰; δ18O =-7.8 ‰) that represented new input water. Soil water samples were subsequently sequentially extracted at three tensions (“low-tension” centrifugation ≈0.016 MPa; “mid-tension” centrifugation ≈1.14 MPa; and “high-tension” cryogenic vacuum distillation at an estimated tension greater than 100 MPa) after variable equilibration periods of 0 h, 8 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d. We assessed the differences in the isotopic composition of extracted water over the 7 d equilibration period with a MANOVA and a model quantifying the time-dependent isotopic mixing of water towards equilibrium via self-diffusion. The simplified and homogenous soil structure and nearly saturated moisture conditions used in our experiment likely facilitated rapid isotope mixing and equilibration among antecedent and new input water. Despite this, the isotope composition of waters extracted at mid compared with high tension remained significantly different for up to 1 d, and waters extracted at low compared with high tension remained significantly different for longer than 3 d. Complete mixing (assuming no fractionation) for the pool of water extracted at high tension occurred after approximately 4.33 d. Our combination approach involving the extraction of water over different domains of the moisture release curve will be useful for assessing how soil texture and other physical and chemical properties influence isotope exchange and mixing times for studies aiming to properly characterize and interpret the isotopic composition of extracted soil and plant waters, especially under variably unsaturated conditions.

Microform is important in understanding wetland functions and processes. But collecting imagery of and mapping the physical structure of peatlands is often expensive and requires specialized equipment. We assessed the utility of coupling computer vision‐based structure from motion with multiview stereo photogrammetry (SfM‐MVS) and ground‐based photos to map peatland topography. The SfM‐MVS technique was tested on an alpine peatland in Banff National Park, Canada, and guidance was provided on minimizing errors. We found that coupling SfM‐MVS with ground‐based photos taken with a point and shoot camera is a viable and competitive technique for generating ultrahigh‐resolution elevations (i.e., <0.01 m, mean absolute error of 0.083 m). In evaluating 100+ viable SfM‐MVS data collection and processing scenarios, vegetation was found to considerably influence accuracy. Vegetation class, when accounted for, reduced absolute error by as much as 50%. The logistic flexibility of ground‐based SfM‐MVS paired with its high resolution, low error, and low cost makes it a research area worth developing as well as a useful addition to the wetland scientists' toolkit.

Small mountain lakes function as temporary storage basins for rain and snowmelt‐derived water. Many small lakes lose water seasonally, but questions remain about the processes involved and effects on watershed hydrology. Evaporation and groundwater outflow from lakes may influence baseflow in streams, hydrologic connections among lakes, and water fluxes from a watershed. To evaluate the role of small mountain lakes in watershed hydrology and the dominant pathways of water loss, we studied the water balances of four shallow, closed‐basin, subalpine lakes in southern Wyoming that lose up to 99% of their volumes between early summer and late fall. We tested the performance of seven evaporation models, compared observed rates of water loss with simulations of evaporation and drainage, and conducted geophysical surveys to evaluate the hydrologic environment between lakes. Our results show that groundwater outflow, rather than evaporation, can dominate water loss and cause closed‐basin mountain lakes to be ephemeral. Groundwater fluxes may contribute to varied rates and timing of water loss from the lakes. Evaporation accounted for 14% of water loss in a lake that overlays thin (<0.5 m) sediments and fractured bedrock and 83% in a lake underlain by >3 m of sediments and clay. Gradual recharge of groundwater (<18,000 m3·km−2·day−1) from each study lake likely helps sustain baseflow in streams once snowmelt has subsided. Total water loss from closed‐basin, subalpine lakes may therefore help to maintain baseflow of rivers in late summer, but their impact varies based on geological context and snowmelt availability.

Abstract. Measurements of the isotopic composition of water recovered from soil at different tensions provide a powerful means to identify potential plant water sources and quantify heterogeneity in residence time and connectivity among soil water regions. Yet incomplete understanding of mechanisms affecting isotopic composition of different soil water pools and the interactions between antecedent and new event water hinders interpretation of the isotope composition of extracted soil and plant waters. Here we present an approach for quantifying the time-dependent isotopic mixing of water held at separate tensions in soil. We wetted oven-dried, homogenized sandy loam soil first with isotopically “light” water (𝛿2H = −130 ‰; 𝛿18O = −17.6 ‰) using a sufficient volume to fill only the smallest soil pores, and then with “heavy” water (𝛿2H = −44 ‰; 𝛿18O = −7.8 ‰) to fully saturate the remaining soil regions. Soil water effluents were then sequentially extracted at three tensions (low centrifugation = 0.016 MPa; medium centrifugation = 1.14 MPa; and high cryogenic vacuum distillation at an estimated tension greater than 100 MPa) starting after variable equilibration periods of 0 h, 8 h, 1 d, 3 d and 7 d. We assessed differences in the isotopic composition of extracted effluents over the 7 d equilibration period with a MANOVA and a mixing model describing the time-dependent effects of isotope self-diffusion and exchange. The saturated moisture conditions used in our experiment likely facilitated rapid isotope exchange and equilibration among different pools. Despite this, the isotope composition of waters extracted at medium compared to high tension remained significantly different (MANOVA) for up to 1 day, and that for waters extracted at low compared to high tension remained significantly different for greater than 3 days after soil wetting. Equilibration (assuming no fractionation) predicted from the time-dependent mixing model for water held at high tension occurred after approximately 4.33 days. Our approach will be useful for assessing how soil texture and other physical and chemical properties influence isotope exchange and mixing times for studies aiming to properly characterize and interpret the isotopic composition of extracted soil and plant waters, especially under variably unsaturated conditions.