I use magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy to chemically characterize dissolved organic carbon, soil leachates, and coarse woody debris-derived particulate organic matter sourced from eight small (8.5 - 101 ha) watersheds of different land use histories. My research takes place in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in Blue River, OR, a Long-Term Ecological Research Network site (AND-LTER). The quality and quantity of carbon exported from these small headwaters serves as an indicator for soil carbon processes in Pacific Northwest watersheds. My research is guided by finding variations in carbon chemistry across land treatment type and seasonality as well as examining analytical differences per the method implemented. I will also be including carbon isotope analysis to further support my findings and create a more comprehensive picture of carbon source, transformations, and fate in regional watersheds.
