The Recharge‐Discharge Function of Wetlands Near Juneau, Alaska: Part II. Geochemical Investigations

The recharge‐discharge function of bogs, fens, and forested wetlands near Juneau, Alaska, was investigated by comparing concentrations of solutes and measurements of specific conductance in wetland ground water and surface water. Average concentrations of major metals define major wetland types. Bogs and fens are in recharge areas and have the most dilute ground water. Forested wetlands are in discharge areas and have ground‐water chemistry similar to that found in domestic wells completed in mineral soils. Concentration profiles of total dissolved metals in blanket bogs were compared to theoretical concentration profiles based on the diffusion of solutes from mineral soil into the overlying peat. All observed concentration profiles are less than predicted by diffusion, and show that the blanket bogs are long‐term recharge zones.