Concentrations and controls of dissolved organic matter in a constricted-channel region of the Ohio River

Abstract

A 12-month study was conducted to measure the concentrations ofdissolved organic matter (DOC, TDN, TDP) in four sites within a119 km long reach of the Ohio River, near Louisville, KY. In thisstudy we test whether specific geomorphological and biologicalfactors influenced variations in dissolved organic matter.Concentrations of DOC in the river averaged ≈1200μmol/L, and varied by nearly two orders of magnitudeseasonally (mean DOC during base flow ≈620 μmol/L).Peak periods for DOC at all sites were during April–May. Thesite nearest a navigation dam (deeper, lower current velocities)had significantly lower concentrations of TDN and greater C:Nratios than upstream sites. The largest tributary entering thisreach (Kentucky River) had no significant effect on levels of DOMin the main river, despite having significantly greaterconcentrations of TDN and lower levels of DOC during most monthsof the year. Concentrations of DOC, TDN, and TDP were notsignificantly different in littoral and pelagic habitats at allsites studied, suggesting little floodplain influence on DOM inthis constricted-channel section of the Ohio River. C:N ratios ofDOM in the Ohio were significantly different among seasons; C:Nexceeded or equaled Redfield ratios in summer and fall (6 to 10),but were below Redfield (1.8 to 3.0) during winter and spring.Regression models suggest that total phytoplankton densities andflow conditions are the two most important factors regulating DOMin this very large river.