Studies of a subarctic coastal marsh, I. Hydrology

The hydrological processes of a subarctic coastal marsh undergoing rapid isostatic uplift were studied to assess the links between water inputs and outputs. A water balance was performed for the summer season. Precipitation was the major input, followed by surface inflow, but tidal inputs were unimportant. Streamflow and evaporation were major outputs, while surface flow losses were limited to the snowmelt period. Subsurface flows were insignificant. The water storage characteristics of the marsh regulated the flow processes and evaporation. Since they were strongly influenced by the uneven peat development and pronounced seasonality, water storage, and therefore the marsh hydrological system were highly variable in both time and space.