Modelling Microbial Utilisation of Macrophyte Organic Matter Inputs to Rivers under Different Flow Conditions

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Modelling Microbial Utilisation of Macrophyte Organic Matter Inputs to Rivers under Different Flow Conditions. [Online] (Updated August 6th, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3679 [Accessed Tuesday 26th of April 2011 01:56:05 AM ].

This thesis by Patricia Bowen, University of Canberra investigates the timing and composition of organic matter (OM) inputs to rivers. These are important as carbon plays a major role in river functioning.

Management of Australian rivers since European settlement has altered inputs of organic matter to these systems. Heterotrophic microbes play a critical role in the transformation of OM in rivers, allowing transfer of carbon to other biota. Alteration to the proportions of OM from different sources affects microbial functioning due to differences in OM composition. Macrophytes can represent important sources of carbon to rivers, however their inputs and in-stream processing are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine inputs and microbial processing of macrophyte OM in Australian lowlandrivers under different flows.