Abstract
Retention of particulate organic matter was investigated over a range of water discharges in pool and riffle zones of a tropical stream (Itaúna Stream, São Paulo, Brazil). A closed-system leaf release and capture method was used to quantify leaf retention in a 50-m reach of the stream. Instantaneous retention rates (k) were calculated by a negative exponential model and specific retention rates (k e) computed for each 1m interval. The mean k was 0.0161±0.0101 (S.E.) and ranged from 0.005 to 0.036 during the study period. This suggests a low retention of particulate matter. The evidence provided by this study shows that there was a relationship between retention and discharge. At low discharges, greater percentages of leaves were retained in a 3-h period while high discharges resulted in low retention percentages within the studied reach. In the Itaúna Stream, no significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the k e values of pool and riffle zones.
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Adelina de Oliveira Afonso, A., Henry, R. Retention of particulate organic matter in a tropical headstream. Hydrobiologia 482, 161–166 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021220600302
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021220600302