Abstract
The flow of groundwater through the sediment layer (underflow or hyporheic zone) of streams and at the origin of streams can influence organic matter uptake dynamics of floodplain. The River Rhône floodplain has limestone foothills. Here we studied 2 karstic and 2 interstitial springs differing by aquifer geology. Organic matter, physico-chemical conditions were compared between these springs during two seasons (from March to September 1989) and at different depths (0, −20 cm, −40 cm).
Temperatures indicated large differences in underflow between springs, in their relation to the surrounding environment, and between seasons. Springs are well oxygenated, with differences between layers. Cultivated fields supply interstitial springs with nitrates, and pools are nutrient traps. DOC was heterogeneous in space and time and correlates with VFPOC. Particulate nutrients were correlated with available surface area of sediment grains. Physical conditions of each spring were prominent in determining storage and turnover of organic matter. Each spring, by its own characteristics and dynamics regulating stability and turnover, had an effect or control on storage, transport and retention of organic matter (quality, quantity). These springs offer an example of the heterogeneity, and give a view of the diversity of patches within a floodplain. The data suggest that groundwater flow of springs may be a major factor in the functioning of floodplain tributaries.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bartodzej, W. & J. A. Perry, 1990. Litter processing in diffuse and conduit springs. Hydrobiologia 206: 87–97.
Bou, C., 1974. Recherches sur les eaux souterraines. 25.Méthodes de récolte dans les eaux souterraines interstitielles. Ann. Spéléol. 29: 611–619.
Bou, C. & R. Rouch, 1967. Un nouveau champ de recherches sur la faune aquatique souterraine. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris,265: 369–370.
Chafiq, M., J. Gibert, P. Marmonier, M. J. Olivier & J. Juget,1992. Spring ecotone and gradient study of interstitial fauna in two tributaries along a transversal floodplain profile.Regulated Rivers 7: 103–115.
Chardon, M., 1989. Les karsts de l’avant-pays alpin au nord des Alpes occidentales fraçaises: le creusement glaciaire des réseaux souterrains. Karstologia 13: 21–32.
Crocker, M. T. & J. L. Meyer, 1987. Interstitial dissolved organic carbon in sediments of a southern Appalachian headwater stream. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 6: 159–167.
Cuffney, T. F., 1988. Input, movement and exchange of organic matter within a subtropical coastal blackwater river- floodplain system. Fresh. Biol. 19: 305–320.
Cummins, K. W., J. R. Sedell, F. J. Swanson, G. W. Min- shall, S. G. Fisher, C. E. Cushing, R. C. Petersen & R. L. Vannote, 1983. Organic matter budgets for stream ecosystems: problems in their evaluation in J. R. Barnes & G. W. Minshall (eds), Stream Ecology. Plenum Press, New York: 299–354.
Egglishaw, H. J., 1972. An experimental study of breakdown of cellulose in fast flowing streams. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 29 suppl: 405–428.
Elwood, J. W., J. D. Newbold & A. F. Tremble, 1981. The limiting role of phosphorus in a wood land stream ecosystem: Effects of P enrichment on leaf decomposition and primary producers. Ecology 62: 146–158.
Enay, R., 1980. Crémieu: évolution morphologique et structurale. Bull. Mens. Soc. Linéénne de Lyon 8: 482–505.
Enay, R., 1981. Les formations glaciaires et les stades de retrait du glacier würmien dans l’Ile Crémieu. Bull. Mens. Soc. Linéénne de Lyon 1: 5–27.
Fisher, S. G. & G. W. Likens, 1973. Energy flow in Bear Brook, New Hampshire: an intergrative approach to stream ecosystem metabolism. Ecol. Monogr. 43: 421–439.
Ford, T. E. & R. J. Naiman, 1989. Groundwater-surface water relationships in boreal forest watersheds: dissolved organic carbon and inorganic nutrient dynamics. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci 46: 41–49.
Gibert, J., 1986. Ecologie d’un système karstique jurassien. Hydrogéologie, dérive animale, transits de matières, dynamique de la population de Niphargus (Crustacé Amphipode). Mém. Biospéol, XIII, 40: 379 pp.
Golterman, H. L., R. S. Clymo & M. A. N. Ohnstad, 1978. Methods for physical and chemical analysis of fresh waters. I.B.P. Handbook, Blackwell Scientific Publications, sd ed., 213 pp.
Grimm, N. B., S. G. Fischer, 1984. ’Exchange between interstitial and surface water: implications for stream metabolism and nutrient cycling’. Hydrobiologia 111: 219–228.
Hargrave, B. T., 1972. Aerobic decomposition of sediment and detritus as a function of particle surface area and organic content. Limnol. Oceanogr. 17: 583–596.
Herbst, G. N., 1980. Effects of buried on food value and consumption of leaf detritus by aquatic invertebrates in a lowland forest stream. Oïkos 35: 411–424.
Hynes, H. B. N., 1975. The stream and its valley. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 19: 1–15.
Hynes, H. B. N., 1983. Groundwater and stream ecology. Hydrobiologia 100: 93–99.
Hynes H. B. N. & N. K. Kaushik, 1969. The relationship between dissolved nutrient salts and protein production in submerged autumnal leaves. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 17: 95–103.
Iversen, T. M., 1975. Disappearance of autumn shed beech leaves placed in bags in small streams. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 19: 1687–1692.
Kaushik, N. K. & H. B. N. Hynes, 1971. The role of the dead leaves that fall into streams. Arch. Hydrobiol. 72: 305–312.
Leichtfried, M., 1985. Organic matter in gravel streams (Project Ritrodat-Lunz). Verh. int. Ver. 22: 2058–2062.
Lock, M. A. & H. B. N. Hynes, 1976. The fate of dissolved organic carbon derived from autumn-shed maple leaves (Acer saccharum) in a temperate hardwater stream. Limnol. Oceanogr. 21: 436–443.
Lock, M. A., R. R. Wallace, J. W. Costerton, R. M. Ventullo & S. E. Charlton, 1984. River epilithon: Toward a structural-functional model; Oïkos 42: 10–22.
Lush, D. L. & H. B. N. Hynes, 1978a. Particulate and dissolved organic matter in a small partly forested stream. Hydrobiologia 60: 271–275.
Lush, D. L. & H. B. N. Hynes, 1978b. The uptake of dissolved organic matter by a small spring stream. Hydrobiologia 60: 271–275.
Mathieu, J., K. Essafi & S. Doledec, 1992. Dynamics of particulate organic matter in bed sediments of two karst streams. Archiv. Hydrobiol 128: 199–211.
Mayack, D. T., J. H. Thorp & M. Corthran, 1989. Effects of burial and floodplain retention on stream processing of allochtonous litter. Oïkos 54: 378–388.
Meyer, J. L., W. H. McDowell, T. L. Bott, J. W. Elwood, C. Ishizaki, J. M. Melack, B. L. Peckarsky, B. J. Peterson & P. A. Rubee, 1988. Elemental dynamics in streams. J. N. Am Benthol Soc. 7: 410–432.
Minshall, G. W., 1988. Stream ecosystem theory: a global perspective. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 7: 263–288.
Mickleburgh, S., M. A. Lock & T. E. Ford, 1984. Spatial uptake of dissolved organic carbon in river beds. Hydrobiologia 108: 115–119.
Munn, N. L. & J. L. Meyer, 1988. Rapid flow through the sediments of a headwater stream in the southern Appalachians. Freshwat. Biol. 20: 235–240.
Naiman, R. J. & J. R. Sedell, 1972. Benthic organic matter as a function of stream order in Oregon. Arch. Hydrobiol. 87: 404–422.
Newbold, J. D., P. J. Mulholland, J. W. Elwood & R. V. O’Neill, 1982. Organic carbon spiralling in stream ecosystems. Oïkos 38: 266–272.
Newbold, J. D., J. W. Elwood, R. V. O’Neill & A. L. Sheldon, 1983. Phosphorus dynamics in a woodland stream ecosystem: A study of nutrient spiralling. Ecology 64: 1249–1265.
Peterjohn, W. T. & D. L. Correll, 1984. Nutrient dynamics in an agricultural watershed: observations on the role of a riparian forest. Ecology 65: 1466–1475.
Pinay, G. & H. Decamps, 1988. The role of riparian woods in regulating nitrogen fluxes between the alluvial aquifer and surface water: a conceptual model. Regulated Rivers 2: 507–516.
Rutherford, J. E. & H. B. N. Hynes, 1987. Dissolved organic carbon in streams and groundwater. Hydrobiologia 154: 33–48.
Triska, F. J., V. C. Kennedy, R. J. Avanzino, G. W. Zellweger & K. E. Bencala, 1989. Retention and transport of nutrients in a third-order in northwestern California: hy- porheic processes. Ecology 70: 1893–1905.
Yates, P. & J. M. Sheridan, 1983. Estimating the effectiveness of vegetated floodplain: wetlands as nitrate-nitrite and orthophosphorous filters. Agricultural Ecosystems and Environment 9: 303–314.
Verry, E. S. & D. R. Timmons, 1982. Waterborne nutrient flow through an upland - Peatland watershed in Minnesota. Ecology 63: 1456–1467.
Wallis, P.M., H. B.N. Hynes & S.A. Telang, 1981. The importance of groundwater in the transportation of allochtonous dissolved organic matter to the streams draining a small mountain basin. Hydrobiologia 79: 77–90.
White, D. S., C. H. Elzinga & S. P. Hendricks, 1987. Temperature patterns within the hyporheic zone of a northern Michigan river. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 6: 85–91.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Chafiq, M., Gibert, J. (1993). Storage and dynamics of organic matter in different springs of small floodplain streams. In: Hillbricht-Ilkowska, A., Pieczyńska, E. (eds) Nutrient Dynamics and Retention in Land/Water Ecotones of Lowland, Temperate Lakes and Rivers. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 82. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1602-2_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1602-2_22
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4698-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-1602-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive