IMPACT OF A DIRT ROAD ON SURFACE-WATER AND SPHAGNUM CHEMISTRY AND SPHAGNUM GROWTH ON A PEATLAND IN NORTHERN ALBERTA, CANADA

Corrected conductivity (k(corr)) pH, and Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, and Zn concentrations were measured in surface water samples collected along four transects an either side of a dirt road that passes throug h a peatland located near Fore McMurray, Alberta, Canada, Ca, Fe, K, M n, P, S, and Zn concentrations in Sphagnum and growth of Sphagnum fusc um and S. angustifolium were also analysed along the same transects. D eposition of road dust on Sphagnum was measured on two of the four tra nsects. Results indicated that pH k(corr), and Fe concentrations in th e water decreased exponentially as a function of the distance to the r oad on three of the four transects. Fe concentrations in the moss also decreased exponentially on all four transects. Due to prevailing wind s in the area, dust accumulations were related to distance only on the south ride of the road Effects of the road on surface water chemistry and Sphagnum chemistry were due to aquatic transport of minerals on t he north side of the road and atmospheric deposition on the south side . Sphagnum growth was significantly negatively correlated with the dis tance from the roadway and the road appeared to act as a source of fer tilizers that enhanced Sphagnum growth. However, because of the influe nce of other factors, none of the minerals originating from the road w ere significantly correlated with Sphagnum growth.