Diel variation of dissolved organic carbon during large flow events in a lowland river

Abstract

Diel variation in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) within lotic systems has been reported on numerous occasions. However, to our knowledge there has been no published work on diel DOC variation within lowland rivers during high flow events. We sampled DOC at 4 h intervals from two sites across two distinct flow regimes in the regulated lower Namoi River, Australia. This included a large flood (mean flow 224 m 3 s −1 and a peak flow of 376 m 3 s −1 ) sampled every 4 h for 10 consecutive days. DOC concentrations were significantly greater at night than during the day ( P < 0.05) and the mean DOC concentration was 23.4 mg L −1 at night compared to 18.9 mg L −1 during daylight hours. The magnitude and duration of flow within this lowland river system and the mobilisation of large quantities of allochthonous carbon appeared to play a role in increasing DOC concentration and the diel difference.