We studied the connections between lake water quality and the density of artificial ditching in lake catchments. Water color and the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and iron (Fe) in lake water increased with increasing ditch density. Additionally, the water color:DOC ratio increased along a ditch density gradient because ditching had a stronger effect on color than on DOC. This was mainly due to the positive effect of ditching on the Fe concentration in lakes. Color:DOC ratio was strongly dependent on Fe up to Fe concentrations of 1–1.5 mg L⁻¹. Thus, the water color of lakes with Fe concentrations < 1 mg L⁻¹ will respond especially strongly to the effects of catchment ditching. The effects of ditching were strongest in catchments with high peatland coverage due to their high ditch density and high storage of organic carbon and Fe. The long-lasting effects of ditching should be taken into account when studying the factors governing lake brownification.

我们研究了湖泊水质与湖泊集水区人工开沟密度之间的联系。水的颜色和湖水中溶解有机碳 (DOC) 和铁 (Fe) 的浓度随着沟渠密度的增加而增加。此外，水的颜色：DOC 比率沿着沟渠密度梯度增加，因为沟渠对颜色的影响比对 DOC 的影响更大。这主要是由于开沟对湖泊中铁浓度的积极影响。颜色：DOC 比率强烈依赖于 Fe 高达 1–1.5 mg L ^{-1 的}Fe 浓度。因此，Fe 浓度 < 1 mg L ^-1的湖泊的水颜色将对集水区开沟的影响做出特别强烈的反应。在泥炭地覆盖率高的集水区，由于沟渠密度高，有机碳和铁的储存量高，开沟的影响最强。在研究影响湖泊褐化的因素时，应考虑开沟的长期影响。