Rainfall, throughfall and stemflow for beech and ash stands in temperate English deciduous woodlands

Individual samples were collected in clean 2 litre polypropylene bottles. The bottles were cleaned by soaking in 5% v/v hydrochloric acid overnight and then rinsed several times in distilled water. The bottles were air-dried prior to use. On return to the laboratory, any replicate samples of precipitation were combined, as were replicate samples of throughfall. The combined samples were weighed to calculate the total volume of precipitation and throughfall catch. The combined precipitation, combined throughfall, net precipitation and stream water samples were then altered using 0.45-micrometer membranes on the day of sampling, prior to analysis. Chemical analysis involved a combination of electrometric (pH), inductively-coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (most major, minor and trace elements), atomic absorption spectroscopy (potassium), ion chromatography (major anions and fluorine) and colourimetry (ammonium and silicon. The study was a joint Environment Agency (then the National Rivers Authority) and CEH science-budget funded project concerning the hydrological impacts of broad-leaf woodland and their implications for water use and water quality. The water quality measurements were taken and collated within the science budget component by CEH staff.