Large scale application of an environmental tracer approach [Elektronische Ressource] : spatio-temporal patterns of hydrochemistry in a semi-arid grassland / Frauke Katrin Barthold

LARGE SCALE APPLICATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL TRACER APPROACH: SPATIO-TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF HYDROCHEMISTRY IN A SEMI-ARID GRASSLAND FRAUKE KATRIN BARTHOLD A dissertation submitted to the Department of Natural Sciences and prepared at the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management of the Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Germany for the degree of Doctor of natural Sciences (Doctor rerum naturalium). thSubmitted May 18 , 2010 thDefended July 9 , 2010 Referees Prof. Hans-Georg Frede Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen Prof. Kellie B. Vaché Oregon State University Prof. Lorenz King Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen Prof. Peter Felix-Henningsen Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen The photograph on the front cover is used with kind permission of M. Wiesmeier. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... IV LIST OF TABLES .................. VIII 1 SYNOPSIS ..................................................................................................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 1 1.2 GENERAL OBJECTIVE ................................. 4 1.3 STUDY AREA ............................