Allochthonous and autochthonous particulate organic matter in floodplains of the River Danube: the importance of hydrological connectivity

Abstract

SUMMARY 1. The elemental composition, the proportion of living organic carbon and the carbon stable isotope signatures of particulate organic matter (POM) were determined in a large river floodplain system in order to elucidate the major carbon sources in relation to the hydrological conditions over a 13‐month period.2. Two floodplain segments and the main channel of the River Danube downstream of Vienna (Austria), were compared on the basis of discharge and water age estimations. The more dynamic floodplain was connected to the main channel for 46% of the study period and drained up to 12% of total discharge at high water.3. The mean C : N ratio and δ13C signature of the POM increased from the floodplain site that was more isolated from the river (6.6; −33‰) to the main channel (8.4; −25‰). At the dynamic floodplain site, the C : N ratio and the δ13C signature of the POM increased with hydrological connectivity (expressed as water age).4. Only during flood events (4% frequency of occurrence), a considerable input of riverine POM was observed. This input was indicated by a C : N ratio of the POM pool of more than 10, the amount of detrital carbon (>80% of the total POM pool) and a δ13C signature of POM of more than −25‰ in the dynamic floodplain.5. Plankton derived carbon, indicated by C : N ratios less than eight and δ13C values lower than −25‰, dominated the particulate organic carbon (POC) pool at both floodplain sites, emphasising the importance of local (autochthonous) production. Phytoplankton was the major plankton compartment at the dynamic site, with highest biomasses at medium water ages.6. At the dynamic floodplain site, the Danube Restoration Project has enhanced the duration of upstream surface connection with the main channel from 4 to 46% frequency of occurrence. Therefore, the export of living POC to the main channel is now established during phases of maximum phytoplankton production and doubled the estimated total export of non‐refractory POM compared with prerestoration conditions.