Articles | Volume 23, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-1569-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-1569-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
27 Feb 2026
Research article |
| 27 Feb 2026
| 27 Feb 2026
Consequences of the 2022 drought on nutrient dynamics in forest soil solutions of a declining spruce plot in the Strengbach catchment (Vosges Mountains, France)
Adrien Saphy
Université de Strasbourg, Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg, Ecole Nationale du Génie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement, UMR 7063, 5 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
Emilie Beaulieu
Université de Strasbourg, Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg, Ecole Nationale du Génie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement, UMR 7063, 5 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
Benjamin Belfort
Université de Strasbourg, Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg, Ecole Nationale du Génie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement, UMR 7063, 5 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
Marie-Noëlle Pons
Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LRGP, 54000, Nancy, France
Marie-Claire Pierret
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Université de Strasbourg, Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg, Ecole Nationale du Génie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement, UMR 7063, 5 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
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In the last decade, the development of on-site field laboratories to measure water chemistry at sub-hourly measurement intervals has drastically advanced, while there is no literature that provides detailed technical, organisational and operational guidelines in running such equipment. Based on our experiences of running three French field laboratories over 7 years, we share the main stages in the deployment of this tool in the field, the difficulties encountered and the proposed solutions.
Nicolai Brekenfeld, Solenn Cotel, Mikaël Faucheux, Paul Floury, Colin Fourtet, Jérôme Gaillardet, Sophie Guillon, Yannick Hamon, Hocine Henine, Patrice Petitjean, Anne-Catherine Pierson-Wickmann, Marie-Claire Pierret, and Ophélie Fovet
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The proposed methodology consists of simultaneously analysing the concentration variation of solute pairs during a storm event by plotting the concentration variation of one solute against the variation of another solute. This can reveal whether two or more end-members contribute to streamflow during a storm event. Furthermore, the variation of the solute ratios during the events can indicate which catchment processes are dominant and which are negligible.
Rohianuu Moua, Nolwenn Lesparre, Jean-François Girard, Benjamin Belfort, François Lehmann, and Anis Younes
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 4317–4334, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4317-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4317-2023, 2023
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Hydraulic properties of soil include the ability of water to move through the soil and the amount of water that is held in the soil in dry or wet conditions. In this work, we further investigate a protocol used to evaluate such hydraulic properties. We propose a modified version of the protocol, with which we show (i) how the data obtained with this protocol are influenced by the soil hydraulic properties and (ii) how one can use it to estimate these properties.
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Short summary
In 2022, France faced its driest year on record, severely affecting the forests of the Strengbach catchment. We observed unusual chemical changes in the soil, linked to drought stress. These included nutrient loss, soil acidification, and stress of soil organisms. Our findings show how drought harms soil health, especially in forests already lacking nutrients, and help predict how ecosystems may respond to future climate extremes.
In 2022, France faced its driest year on record, severely affecting the forests of the...
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