Composition of particulate and dissolved organic matter in a disturbed watershed of southeast Brazil (Piracicaba River basin)

摘要

The elemental and isotopic composition of particulate and dissolved organic matter was investigated in the Piracicaba River basin, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Comparison of riverine organic matter from the Piracicaba River basin, A region where rivers and streams receive urban sewage and industrial effluents, with data reported for the pristine Amazon system revealed significant differences associated with anthropogenic impacts. One important difference was N Enrichment in the particulate organic material of the Piracicaba basin rivers, due to (a) urban and industrial effluents, And (b) enhanced phytoplankton growth, which results from the combination of nutrient enrichment and damming of Sections of the rivers.