Stream Metabolism Research Articles

Integrating resource utilization and temperature in metabolic scaling of riverine bacterial production

The study of metabolic scaling in stream ecosystems is complicated by their openness to external resource inputs. For heterotrophic bacteria, which are a large component of stream metabolism, it may be possible to integrate the effects of resource availability and temperature on production using metabolic scaling theory and the kinetics of extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) associated with the degradation of major nutrient pools. With this goal, we analyzed previously published data on EEA and bacterial production for two rivers in northwestern Ohio, USA. The EEA data included estimates of apparent Vmax, a measure of catalytic capacity, and apparent Km, a measure of available substrate concentration, for six extracellular enzymes (alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucosidase, aminopeptidase, protease, phosphatase, and acetyl esterase). Sampling was done over an annual cycle with a temperature range of 4 31 degrees C, while EEA assays were conducted at 20 degrees C. The EEA kinetic measures were scaled to ambient stream temperature using an activation energy (Ea) of 0.5 eV (8.01 x 10(-20) J) and converted to estimates of the turnover rate (St) of their associated substrate pools. The St values associated with protein utilization, the largest substrate pool, had the strongest relationship to bacterial production (r2 = 0.49-0.52); those for carbohydrate utilization, the smallest substrate pool, had the weakest (r2= 0.09-0.15). Comparisons of apparent Ea over the annual cycle showed that the trophic basis of bacterial production switched from relatively high carbohydrate consumption in autumn and winter to relatively high protein consumption in spring and summer, corresponding to seasonal dynamics in plant litter inputs and algal production, respectively. Over the annual cycle, the summed substrate generation rate of the six enzymes was similar in magnitude and strongly correlated with bacterial production (r2 = 0.56). This approach combines effects of substrate pool size, catalytic capacity, and temperature on bacterial production and could be used to compare ecosystems along latitudinal gradients where resource, rather than temperature, effects on metabolic scaling are of greater magnitude.

Rising stream and river temperatures in the United States

Water temperatures are increasing in many streams and rivers throughout the US. We analyzed historical records from 40 sites and found that 20 major streams and rivers have shown statistically significant, long‐term warming. Annual mean water temperatures increased by 0.009–0.077°C yr−1, and rates of warming were most rapid in, but not confined to, urbanizing areas. Long‐term increases in stream water temperatures were typically correlated with increases in air temperatures. If stream temperatures were to continue to increase at current rates, due to global warming and urbanization, this could have important effects on eutrophication, ecosystem processes such as biological productivity and stream metabolism, contaminant toxicity, and loss of aquatic biodiversity.

A review of allochthonous organic matter dynamics and metabolism in streams

The role of allochthonous organic matter in lotic ecosystems has been an important research topic among aquatic ecologists since the seminal work by Lindeman was published in 1942. Since 1986, studies on organic matter budgets, ecosystem metabolism, and decomposition published in J-NABS have made significant contributions to the overall understanding of organic matter dynamics in streams. In this review, we summarize the utility of organic matter budgets, cover the major advances in research on ecosystem metabolism, and describe the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing organic matter decomposition. We also discuss future directions and current applications of research and highlight the need for additional studies on the role of land use and climate change, as well as continued use of organic matter processing as a functional metric in biomonitoring studies. We emphasize the need for continued data synthesis into comprehensive organic matter budgets. Such comparative studies can elucidate important drivers of organic matter dynamics and can assist in the understanding of large continental/ global changes that might be occurring now and in the near future. In general, continued emphasis on synthesizing information into a larger framework for streams and rivers will improve our overall understanding of the importance of organic matter in lotic ecosystems.

Linking calcification by exotic snails to stream inorganic carbon cycling

Biotic calcification is rarely considered in freshwater C budgets, despite calculations suggesting that calcifying animals can alter inorganic C cycling. Most studies that have quantified biocalcification in aquatic ecosystems have not directly linked CO(2) fluxes from biocalcification with whole-ecosystem rates of inorganic C cycling. The freshwater snail, Melanoides tuberculata, has achieved a high abundance and 37.4 g biomass m(-2) after invading Kelly Warm Springs in Grand Teton National Park. This high biomass suggests that introduced populations of Melanoides may alter ecosystem processes. We measured Melanoides growth rates and biomass to calculate the production of biomass, shell mass, and CO(2). We compared Melanoides biomass and inorganic C production with ecosystem C pools and fluxes, as well as with published rates of CO(2) production by other calcifying organisms. Melanoides calcification in Kelly Warm Springs produced 12.1 mmol CO(2) m(-2) day(-1) during summer months. We measured high rates of gross primary productivity and respiration in Kelly Warm Springs (-378 and 533 mmol CO(2) m(-2) day(-1), respectively); CO(2) produced from biocalcification increased net CO(2) production in Kelly Warm Springs from 155 to 167 mmol CO(2) m(-2) day(-1). This rate of CO(2) production via biocalcification is within the published range of calcification by animals. But these CO(2) fluxes are small when compared to ecosystem C fluxes from stream metabolism. The influence of animals is relative to ecosystem processes, and should always be compared with ecosystem fluxes to quantify the importance of a specific animal in its environment.

Impacts of agricultural land use on ecosystem structure and whole‐stream metabolism of tropical Cerrado streams

Summary1. The tropical Cerrado savannah, the second‐largest South American biome, is undergoing the most rapid land‐use change in South America, including a wholesale shift from native vegetation to pasture and cropland. However, the consequences of this development for aquatic ecosystem functioning remain unclear. In this study, we investigated how agriculture affects chemical, physical and biological characteristics of headwater streams in the Brazilian Cerrado, and how these changes relate to an important ecosystem function, i.e. ecosystem metabolism.2. Three paired samplings of pristine and agricultural streams were conducted considering the most abundant morphotypes of Cerrado streams. Nutrient concentrations, stream morphometry and hydrodynamics, sediment transport, as well as benthic microbial biomass (BMB), and its chlorophyll a (Chl‐a) content were measured. In parallel, whole‐stream gross primary production (GPP) and community respiration (CR) were estimated using a diel open‐channel dissolved O2 change technique.3. Agricultural streams had consistently higher nutrient concentrations, less variability in channel morphology, smaller channel cross‐sectional areas, smaller transient storage zones, higher current velocities and higher boundary shear stresses than pristine streams. At base flow, agricultural streams exhibited a midstream band of shifting sediments, while pristine streams had stable sediments. Both agricultural and pristine streams were dominated by thick microbial mats. Due to differences in hydrodynamics and sediment stability, these microbial mats covered the entire stream bed in pristine streams, but were restricted to the stream margins in agricultural streams.4. As a result, BMB of agricultural streams was diminished by a factor of 7.5 compared to pristine streams. Interestingly, CR of agricultural streams was diminished only by a factor of 2.0, because higher BMB‐specific respiration efficiencies, potentially due to increased nutrient availability, compensated for lower BMB due to physical stress. Similarly, the 3.3‐fold elevated GPP in agricultural compared to pristine streams was only to a minor degree due to increased benthic Chl‐a, but mainly a result of 2.4‐fold higher Chl‐a‐specific primary production efficiencies, potentially due to increased nutrient availability.5. In conclusion, agriculture impacted the studied Cerrado streams through two antagonistic mechanisms: physical stress resulted in decreased BMB and whole‐stream CR by preventing BMB accrual in the central streambed, but higher nutrient availability led to increased primary production and respiration efficiencies in marginal zones, as well as higher whole‐stream GPP. Finally, measures of whole‐stream metabolism were useful indicators of stream ecosystem health and allowed for the differential assessment of the effects of physical stress and eutrophication.

Estimating stream metabolism from oxygen concentrations: Effect of spatial heterogeneity

Rivers are heterogeneous at various scales. River metabolism estimators based on oxygen time series provide average estimates of net oxygen production at the scale of a river reach. These estimators are derived for homogeneous river reaches. For this reason, they cannot be used to analyze how exactly they average over longitudinal variations in net production, reaeration, oxygen saturation concentration and flow velocity. We try to fill this gap by using a general analytical solution of the transport‐reaction equation to (1) demonstrate how downstream oxygen concentration is affected by upstream concentration and (possible) longitudinally varying values of net production, reaeration, oxygen saturation concentration and flow velocity within a reach, and (2) derive how the net production estimate depends on varying upstream river parameters. In addition, we derive a new net production estimator that extends previously suggested estimators. The equations derived in this paper provide a general framework for understanding the assumptions underlying net production estimators. They are used to derive recommendations on the use of single station or two stations measurement layouts to get accurate river metabolism estimates. The estimator is implemented in the freely available statistics and graphics software package R (www.r‐project.org). This makes it easily applicable to observed oxygen time series. Empirical evidence of the significance of heterogeneity in rivers is demonstrated by applying the estimator to four subsequent reaches of a river using oxygen measurements from the ends of all reaches.

The relative influence of nutrients and habitat on stream metabolism in agricultural streams

Stream metabolism was measured in 33 streams across a gradient of nutrient concentrations in four agricultural areas of the USA to determine the relative influence of nutrient concentrations and habitat on primary production (GPP) and respiration (CR-24). In conjunction with the stream metabolism estimates, water quality and algal biomass samples were collected, as was an assessment of habitat in the sampling reach. When data for all study areas were combined, there were no statistically significant relations between gross primary production or community respiration and any of the independent variables. However, significant regression models were developed for three study areas for GPP (r(2) = 0.79-0.91) and CR-24 (r(2) = 0.76-0.77). Various forms of nutrients (total phosphorus and area-weighted total nitrogen loading) were significant for predicting GPP in two study areas, with habitat variables important in seven significant models. Important physical variables included light availability, precipitation, basin area, and in-stream habitat cover. Both benthic and seston chlorophyll were not found to be important explanatory variables in any of the models; however, benthic ash-free dry weight was important in two models for GPP.

Comparison of several methods to calculate reaeration in streams, and their effects on estimation of metabolism

Metabolism is an integrative measurement of stream and river ecosystem functioning, and thus, could be used to assess impairment. Stream metabolism is measured by different methods which often yield contrasting results. Furthermore, open-channel measurements of metabolism, which offer the best potential for continuous monitoring of stream functioning, rely on calculations of gas exchange with the atmosphere, for which a plethora of methods exists. Therefore, to incorporate metabolism in stream monitoring programs, it is necessary to determine which methods yield comparable results under a given set of environmental conditions. We studied 21 streams in the Basque Country (northern Spain), ranging widely in physical characteristics and water quality. We calculated reaeration during summer baseflows using three different approaches: the night-time drop in oxygen, the lag between noon and peak oxygen concentration, and ten empirical equations relating depth and velocity with reaeration coefficients obtained from the literature. Differences among methods were very large, especially at the shallower sites. The results obtained with most empirical equations were highly correlated, but showed little agreement with the night-time and peak lag methods. We then analyzed the response of reaeration rate to river stage: reaeration calculated by the night-time method during 1 year of continuous monitoring was regressed against discharge at each site, and the resulting model was compared to the results of empirical equations, using software HecRas 2.2 to model hydraulic conditions at different river stages. The shape of reaeration-discharge plots differed greatly and in a site-dependent manner, and there was little agreement between methods. Finally, we investigated the effects of reaeration rate on estimates of metabolism. The choice of method greatly affected the estimates of both primary production and respiration. The empirical equations, except E7 and E10, yielded the most unrealistic estimations of stream metabolism. Overall, the night-time method, especially when regressed against discharge, seems to be the most robust and reliable among those tested, with the energy dissipation method (E10) appearing to be a viable alternative when the night-time method does not work.

Rehabilitation of Stream Ecosystem Functions through the Reintroduction of Coarse Particulate Organic Matter

Abstract In streams, coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) acts as a substrate for microbial activity, which promotes nutrient retention. However, in urban areas, increased peak flows within streams lead to decreased retention of CPOM. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the reintroduction of CPOM, in the form of leaf litter, into a degraded urban stream would increase biofilm activity and phosphorus retention, two ecosystem functions that reflect the integrity of the ecosystem. Stream metabolism and nutrient retention were assessed in treated (T) and control (C) channels of the Torrens River Catchment, South Australia, before and after CPOM addition. Gross primary production and community respiration (CR) were measured as oxygen production and consumption within benthic chambers. Phosphorus retention was measured through a series of short‐term filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP) addition experiments. Before CPOM addition, there were no differences in CR, but C retained 6.8% more FRP than T. After CPOM addition, CR was greater in T than in C (572 and 276 mg O2·m−2·day−1, respectively), and T retained 7.7% more FRP than C. The increase in FRP retention in T compared to C was attributed to phosphorus limitation of the CPOM and increased demand for phosphorus of the attached microbial heterotrophic community. The reintroduction of CPOM into degraded streams will be an important step in the restoration of stream metabolism and nutrient retention. Maintenance of CPOM may be achieved through restoration of riparian vegetation, a reduction in the increased peak flows, and rehabilitation of stream morphology.

Composition and dynamics of allochthonous organic matter inputs and benthic stock in a Brazilian stream

Riparian vegetation provides the nutrient and energy input that maintains the metabolism and biodiversity in tropical headwater streams. In the present study, it was hypothesised that ~30% of riparian plant species contribute over 70% of coarse particulate organic matter and, because tropical plants are perennial and semi-deciduous, it was expected that leaf fall would occur year round. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the composition and structure of the plant riparian zone and the input and associated benthic stock of organic matter. The riparian vegetation was composed of 99 taxa. The most abundant plant species were Tapirira obtusa, Sclerolobium rugosum, Croton urucurana, Byrsonima sp. and Inga sp. The input and benthic stock showed a seasonal pattern, with higher values recorded at the end of the dry season and at the beginning of tropical storms. The biomass contributed monthly by the vegetation ranged from 28 ± 6 g m–2 to 38 ± 11 g m–2, and the mean monthly benthic standing stock was 138 ± 57 g m–2. The results illustrate the importance of riparian vegetation as an energy source to tropical streams and how individual plant species contribute to organic matter inputs in these ecosystems.

In‐stream biotic control on nutrient biogeochemistry in a forested stream, West Fork of Walker Branch

A growing body of evidence demonstrates the importance of in‐stream processing in regulating nutrient export, yet the influence of temporal variability in stream metabolism on net nutrient uptake has not been explicitly addressed. Stream water DIN and SRP concentrations in Walker Branch, a first‐order deciduous forest stream in eastern Tennessee, show a repeated pattern of annual maxima in summer and biannual minima in spring and autumn. Temporal variations in catchment hydrologic flow paths result in lower winter and higher summer nutrient concentrations, but do not explain the spring and autumn nutrient minima. Ambient nutrient uptake rates were measured 2–3 times per week over an 18‐month period and compared to daily rates of gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) to examine the influence of in‐stream biotic activity on nutrient export. GPP and ER rates explained 81% of the variation in net DIN retention with high net NO3− uptake (and lower net NH4+ release) rates occurring during spring and autumn and net DIN release in summer. Diel nutrient concentration patterns were examined several times throughout the year to determine the relative importance of autotrophic and heterotrophic activity on net nutrient uptake. High spring GPP corresponded to daily decreases in NO3− over the illuminated hours resulting in high diel NO3− amplitude which dampened as the canopy closed. GPP explained 91% of the variance in diel NO3− amplitude. In contrast, the autumn nutrient minima was largely explained by heterotrophic respiration since GPP remained low and little diel NO3− variation was observed during the autumn.

Recovery of stream ecosystem metabolism from historical agriculture

Agriculture has influenced southern Appalachian streams for centuries, but recent socioeconomic trends in the region have led to extensive reforestation of agricultural land. Stream ecosystem metabolism might recover from agricultural influence as watersheds undergo reforestation, particularly when shade from terrestrial vegetation is restored. We determined historical (1950) and current (1993) forest cover in 2nd- and 3rd-order watersheds in 4 counties of the southern Appalachians using a geographic information system. Streams were placed into landuse categories based on % forested land cover in watersheds and riparian zones. Categories included forested (FOR; >98% forested) and 3 levels of agriculture (AG; ranging from 95% forest to <60% forest) with no change in % forest over the past 50 y, and 2 levels of recovery from agriculture (REC) indicated by reforestation after land abandonment. We selected 3 streams from each category and measured gross primary production (GPP) and 24-h respiration (R24) using a 2-station diurnal O2 change technique and gas releases to determine reaeration rates. We calculated net ecosystem production (NEP) and the ratio of GPP to R24 (P/R) to compare ecosystem energetics among landuse categories. We measured nutrient concentrations, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), temperature (degree-days), suspended particle concentrations, and benthic algae (chlorophyll a and ash-free dry mass) to determine if these factors were affected by current or historical agriculture and were correlated with metabolism. Concentrations of inorganic nutrients, PAR, degree-days, suspended solids, and benthic algae were significantly higher in AG streams than in FOR streams. Nutrient and suspended solid concentrations also were higher in REC than in FOR streams, but PAR, degree-days, and benthic algae were similar in REC and FOR streams. GPP varied from <0.1 g O2 m−2 d−1 in FOR streams to 1.0 g O2 m−2 d−1 in AG streams. GPP was similar in REC and FOR streams, suggesting that shading caused by reforestation might reduce GPP to pre-agricultural levels. R24 was 4 to 20× greater than GPP in all stream types, resulting in highly negative NEP. NEP was less negative in AG streams than in FOR and REC streams. Negative NEP and P/R consistently <1 could have been caused by allochthonous organic matter from remnant forested land (up to 75% forested) in agricultural watersheds. GPP and P/R were strongly correlated with PAR, degree-days, and algal biomass, suggesting that reduced light limited primary production in the streams studied. R24 was positively correlated with nutrient concentrations. Shading caused by reforestation appears to be an important mechanism by which stream metabolism recovers from historical agriculture. Our results provide support for stream restoration efforts focused on developing and maintaining streamside forests.

Metabolic balance of streams draining urban and agricultural watersheds in central Japan

Empirical data that describe the metabolic balance of stream ecosystems in human-dominated watersheds are scarce. We measured ecosystem metabolism in 23 open-canopied lowland streams draining urban and agricultural areas in the Fuji River Basin, central Japan. Gross primary production (GPP) and community respiration (CR) were estimated using the diurnal dissolved oxygen (DO) change technique, with the reaeration coefficient (K2) determined from seven empirical depth-velocity equations. Because the predicted values of K2 showed variation among the depth-velocity equations, the estimates of stream metabolism also varied according to the equations. However, CR was almost always greater than GPP, resulting in negative net ecosystem production (NEP) and GPP/CR ratios below unity for most of the study reaches. Highly heterotrophic streams were found in intensively farmed watersheds, suggesting that organic matter loading from agricultural lands is likely to be a source of allochthonous carbon fueling excess respiration in the study streams. In contrast, streams draining more urbanized areas were less heterotrophic. The present results suggest that lowland streams in agriculturally developed watersheds are associated strongly with terrestrial ecosystems as a source of organic carbon. The resultant strong respiration might become the dominant process in ecosystem metabolism, as reported for headwater streams, large downstream rivers, and estuaries.

Bacterial metabolism in small temperate streams under contemporary and future climates

Summary1. We examined the detailed temperature dependence (0–40 °C) of bacterial metabolism associated with fine sediment particles from three Danish lowland streams to test if temperature dependence varied between sites, seasons and quality of organic matter and to evaluate possible consequences of global warming.2. A modified Arrhenius model with reversible denaturation at high temperatures could account for the temperature dependence of bacterial metabolism and the beginning of saturation above 35 °C and it was superior to the unmodified Arrhenius model. Both models overestimated respiration rates at very low temperatures (&lt;5 °C), whereas Ratkowsky's model – the square root of respiration – provided an excellent linear fit between 0 and 30 °C.3. There were no indications of differences in temperature dependence among samples dominated by slowly or easily degradable organic substrates. Optimum temperature, apparent minimum temperature, Q10‐values for 0–40 °C and activation energies of bacterial respiration were independent of season, stream site and degradability of organic matter.4. Q10‐values of bacterial respiration declined significantly with temperature (e.g. 3.31 for 5–15 °C and 1.43 for 25–35 °C) and were independent of site and season. Q10‐values of bacterial production behaved similarly, but were significantly lower than Q10‐values of respiration implying that bacterial growth efficiency declined with temperature.5. A regional warming scenario for 2071–2100 (IPCC A2) predicted that mean annual temperatures will increase by 3.5 °C in the air and 2.2–4.3 °C in the streams compared with the control scenario for 1961–1990. Temperature is expected to rise more in cool groundwater‐fed forest springs than in open, summer‐warm streams. Mean annual bacterial respiration is estimated to increase by 26–63% and production by 18–41% among streams assuming that established metabolism–temperature relationships and organic substrate availability remain the same. To improve predictions of future ecosystem behaviour, we further require coupled models of temperature, hydrology, organic production and decomposition.

Abiotic controls on periphyton accrual and metabolism in streams: Scaling by dimensionless numbers

Increasingly available high‐resolution topographic data from remote sensing motivates the search for topographic features that predict abiotic controls on the distribution and performance of biota. We investigated the extent to which periphyton distribution and stream ecosystem metabolism in a steep upland river drainage network could be predicted from physical conditions that varied with local topography. During the summers of 2003 and 2004, we measured periphyton standing crops and gross primary production and ecosystem respiration rates along a 5 km reach of the South Fork Eel River and six of its tributaries in northern California (39°44′N, 123°39′W). We also measured wetted stream width (B), cross‐sectionally averaged stream velocity (U), and streambed photosynthetically active solar radiation (PAR) at each site to investigate the degree to which periphyton abundance and metabolism were related to these indicators, which in turn are partially predictable from models relating environmental parameters to the topographic settings. Dimensional analysis, a technique widely used in the field of fluid mechanics, was used to investigate how biotic and abiotic variables may be interconnected in stream environments. Nondimensional groups of variables were formulated on the basis of our field estimates of chosen biotic and abiotic variables. Periphyton biomass was controlled by B9/5, exposure to light PAR1/5, nutrient concentration N5/6, and inverse stream depth H−5/6 and U−1/2. The autotrophic‐heterotrophic balance, quantified by the gross primary production to ecosystem respiration rate, scaled with the stream aspect ratio (B/H) and Peclet number Pe = (UB/u*H), where u* is the shear stress velocity. The scaling relationships were validated against reported field measurements from other geographical areas. The results show nonlinear dependencies among periphyton biomass, stream metabolism, and abiotic variables. These nonlinear relationships point to a need for detailed quantification of biotic and abiotic variables over a range of scales.

Ecosystem metabolism in streams of the Catskill Mountains (Delaware and Hudson River watersheds) and Lower Hudson Valley

Ecosystem metabolism was measured in 10 streams flowing into New York City drinking- water-supply reservoirs. Six of the streams were located west of Hudson River (WOH) in the Catskill Mountains and 4 were in the Croton River watershed east of Hudson River (EOH). Measurements were made for 3-d periods between June and November in each of 3 y using an open-system O2 technique with reaeration determined from propane evasion. Chlorophyll a concentrations, algal cover types, and nutrient uptake were measured concurrently. Gross primary productivity ranged from 2.02 to 4.32 g O2 m � 2 d � 1 in the WOH streams and from 0.23 to 1.13 g O2 m � 2 d � 1 in the EOH streams. Community respiration ranged from 3.94 to 8.30 g O2 m � 2 d � 1 in the WOH streams and from 1.39 to 6.12 g O2 m � 2 d � 1 in the EOH streams. All streams were heterotrophic. The WOH streams were larger and more open than the EOH streams. Metabolism was strongly correlated with instream environmental and water-chemistry variables and riparian shade. Land use was largely forested with some agriculture in the WOH watersheds, and it was forested or urbanized in EOH watersheds. Landuse impacts were confounded by the smaller size and denser shade along EOH streams than along WOH streams.

Groundwater flux and open-channel estimation of stream metabolism: response to Hall and Tank

Rates of metabolism for a stream can be estimated from open-channel measurements of dissolved oxygen at 1 or 2 stations, provided that reaeration flux and groundwater flux to the channel are quantified, and the underlying assumptions of the mass-balance method are satisfied. Hall and Tank (Limnol. Oceanogr. Methods 3:222-229, 2005) challenge our previous work on open-channel estimation of oxygen metabolism (McCutchan et al., Limnol. Oceanogr. 47:321-324, 2002) on grounds that our principal mass-balance equation is incorrect. However, Hall and Tank have misrepresented our equation by considering the oxygen mass-balance for an entire reach rather than for a parcel of water moving downstream and by presenting volume as a constant rather than a function of time. Because Hall and Tank incorrectly reformulated our mass-balance equation, their conclusions are not relevant to our work.

Effects of a waste water treatment plant on organic matter dynamics and ecosystem functioning in a Mediterranean stream

We studied the effects of a waste water treatment plant on organic matter dynamics in Fosso Bagnatore, a Mediterranean stream near Rome (Italy). Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and seston, along with the standing crops of coarse benthic organic matter and fine benthic organic matter, were monitored monthly during 2002 in two reaches situated upstream and downstream of a waste water treatment plant effluent. Additionally, we examined two stream functional characteristics: whole stream metabolism, which was measured from diel changes in oxygen concentrations, and nutrient removal, which was studied by experimental additions of NH4-N, NO3-N and PO4-P. The possible influence of WWTP organic matter alterations on ecosystem functioning was addressed by measuring epilithon characteristics (standing crop, C:N:P ratios and chlorophyll a content). The WWTP effluent caused an increase (several-fold) of DOC and seston concentrations, and FBOM standing crop, moreover it modified their temporal variation. Downstream of the wastewater treatment plant we detected an higher heterotrophic microbial biomass and a correspondent higher community respiration. The uptake of NH4-N, NO3-N and PO4-P was highly variable probably as consequence of the high variability of the compartments involved (e.g. DOC, FBOM, community respiration). We showed that WWTP effluent altered the organic matter dynamics of this Mediterranean-type headwater stream and that these effects were reflected in its ecosystem functioning. Because of the linkage of headwaters to downstream ecosystems and due to their significant role in landscape and catchment processes, the alterations of organic matter dynamics that we detected at a local scale may have important consequences on a broader scale.

Annual cycle and inter‐annual variability of gross primary production and ecosystem respiration in a floodprone river during a 15‐year period

Summary1. Temporal variation in ecosystem metabolism over a 15‐year period (1986–2000) was evaluated in a seventh order channelised gravel bed river (mean annual discharge 48.7 m3 s−1) of the Swiss Plateau. The river is subject to frequent disturbance by bed‐moving spates. Daily integrals of gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) were calculated based on single‐station diel oxygen curves.2. Seasonal decomposition of the time series of monthly metabolism rates showed that approximately 50% of the variation of GPP and ER can be attributed to season. Annual GPP averaged 5.0 ± 0.6 g O2 m−2 day−1 and showed no long‐term trend.3. Ecosystem respiration, averaging 6.2 ± 1.4 g O2 m−2 day−1, declined from 8.8 to 4.1 g O2 m−2 day−1 during the 15‐year period. This significant trend paralleled a decline in nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations, and the biochemical oxygen demand discharged by sewage treatment facilities upstream of the study reach. The ratio of GPP to ER (P/R) increased from 0.53 to about 1 as consequence of ER reduction.4. Bed moving spates reduced GPP by 49% and ER by 19%. Postspate recovery of GPP was rapid between spring and autumn and slow during winter. Recovery of ER lacked any seasonal pattern. Annual patterns of daily GPP and to a minor extent of daily ER can be described as a sequence of recovery periods frequently truncated by spates.5. The study showed that disturbance by frequent bed‐moving spates resulted in major stochastic variation in GPP and ER but annual patterns were still characterised by a distinct seasonal cycle. It also became evident that stream metabolism is a suitable method to assess effects of gradual changes in water quality.

Nutrient uptake in streams draining agricultural catchments of the midwestern United States

Summary1. Agriculture is a major contributor of non‐point source pollution to surface waters in the midwestern United States, resulting in eutrophication of freshwater aquatic ecosystems and development of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Agriculturally influenced streams are diverse in morphology and have variable nutrient concentrations. Understanding how nutrients are transformed and retained within agricultural streams may aid in mitigating increased nutrient export to downstream ecosystems.2. We studied six agriculturally influenced streams in Indiana and Michigan to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the factors controlling nutrient retention and export in agricultural streams using nutrient addition and isotopic tracer studies.3. Metrics of nutrient uptake indicated that nitrate uptake was saturated in these streams whereas ammonium and phosphorus uptake increased with higher concentrations. Phosphorus uptake was likely approaching saturation as evidenced by decreasing uptake velocities with concentration; ammonium uptake velocity also declined with concentration, though not significantly.4. Higher whole‐stream uptake rates of phosphorus and ammonium were associated with the observed presence of stream autotrophs (e.g. algae and macrophytes). However, there was no significant relationship between measures of nutrient uptake and stream metabolism. Water‐column nutrient concentrations were positively correlated with gross primary production but not community respiration.5. Overall, nutrient uptake and metabolism were affected by nutrient concentrations in these agriculturally influenced streams. Biological uptake of ammonium and phosphorus was not saturated, although nitrate uptake did appear to be saturated in these ecosystems. Biological activity in agriculturally influenced streams is higher relative to more pristine streams and this increased biological activity likely influences nutrient retention and transport to downstream ecosystems.