Physicochemical and major ion data for springs in the Black Forest National Park, Germany

The dataset in this article consists of the general physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, specific electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, redox potential, alkalinity) and concentrations of major ions (Ca(2+), Mg(2+), K(+), Na(+), Cl(-), SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-)) of water samples collected at 19 springs and the surface stream in the water catchment area of the upper Schönmünz river in the Black Forest National Park, Germany. Data on concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total organic carbon (TOC), spectral absorbance at different wavelengths and fluorescence as well as microbiological indicators (E. coli, total coliforms, enterococci) are also reported. Sampling was conducted during five field campaigns between spring 2016 and spring 2017. Knowledge of the current physicochemical parameters and concentrations of dissolved organic and inorganic constituents provides a baseline to assess future changes and serves as a supplement to ongoing studies of the spring ecosystems. Understanding the specific processes influencing the water chemistry will aid in their effective protection. For more details and further discussion on this dataset, the reader is referred to the associated research article “Processes controlling spatial and temporal dynamics of spring water chemistry in the Black Forest National Park” [1]