Tracing total and dissolved material in a western Canadian basin using quality control samples to guide the selection of fingerprinting parameters for modelling

The source dynamics of total and dissolved material in riverine systems are being affected by anthropogenic activities resulting the degradation waterways worldwide. Identifying main sources is thus central to management increasingly scarce water resources. Here, we utilize data generated from quality monitoring programs investigate a large, semi-arid basin western Canada. Our research focuses on confluence two major tributaries South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) Province Alberta: Bow (25,611 km2) Oldman (28,270 km2). A tributary tracing technique coupled with Deconvolutional-MixSIAR (D-MIXSIAR) modelling approach used estimate potential contributions sites target node stem addition nodes downstream their confluence. In total, 812 samples were taken 29 across SSRB. novel selecting fingerprints for presented based analyses additional control (146 duplicate 172 blank samples). Overall, Rocky Mountain headwater catchments found dominate supply modelled using recoverable (68%) (76%) metals. There seasonal fluctuations evident where dominated (69%) (57%) during ice-covered season (November-March), (73%) (59%) open (April-October). On one hand, these potentially result extensive regulation flow, particularly along River. other intensification agriculture prairie/plain may also facilitate excess relative material. For example, Little River, ~70% agricultural land cover, contributed ~14 times more than anticipated discharge 1.6 unit area season. this has improved our understanding SSRB, providing foundation focussed studies targeting addition, highlights existent best practices help improve around world.