Urban heterogeneity drives dissolved organic matter sources, transport, and transformation from local to macro scales
Abstract Urbanization reshapes dissolved organic matter (DOM) sources, transport, and transformations through changes in vegetation, hydrology, and management of waste and water. Yet the impacts of urbanization on DOM are variable within and among cities. Predicting heterogeneous responses to urbanization is challenged by diverse human activities and underlying biophysical variation along stream networks. Using data from the 486 largest urban areas in the continental United States and seven focal cities, we identified macro and local scale urban gradients in social, built, and biophysical factors that are expected to shape DOM. We used these gradients and the literature to develop hypotheses about heterogeneity in DOM quantity and quality within and among cities. Interactions among landscape and infrastructure attributes across spatial and temporal scales result in heterogeneous responses in DOM. Characterizing and quantifying these inconsistent responses to urbanization in contrasting settings may help to better understand heterogeneity and identify generalities among urban watersheds.
Authors
- Kristina G. Hopkins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1699-9384)
- Krista A. Capps (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9911-8644)
- A. M. Quick (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2745-7831)
- John S. Kominoski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0978-3326)
- Jennifer Morse (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8872-4940)
- Andrew J. Blinn
- Rebecca L. Hale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3552-3691)
- Allison H. Roy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8080-2729)
- Shuo Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7243-0136)
- Gwendolynn Folk
- Liz D. Ortiz Muñoz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2345-4430)
Institutions
- Idaho State University (US)
- Portland State University (US)
- United States Geological Survey (US)
- Virginia Wesleyan University (US)
- University of Georgia (US)
- Florida International University (US)
- University of Nebraska at Kearney (US)
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Limnology and Oceanography
- Published
- 2025-09-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.70201
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Urban Stormwater Management Solutions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.60
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- U.S. Department of Energy
- Florida International University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Office of Environmental Management
- University of Georgia Research Foundation