Diel biogeochemical processes and their effect on the aqueous chemistry of streams: A review

Chemical Geology
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Abstract

This review summarizes biogeochemical processes that operate on diel, or 24-h, time scales in streams and the changes in aqueous chemistry that are associated with these processes. Some biogeochemical processes, such as those producing diel cycles of dissolved O2 and pH, were the first to be studied, whereas processes producing diel concentration cycles of a broader spectrum of chemical species including dissolved gases, dissolved inorganic and organic carbon, trace elements, nutrients, stable isotopes, and suspended particles have received attention only more recently. Diel biogeochemical cycles are interrelated because the cyclical variations produced by one biogeochemical process commonly affect another. Thus, understanding biogeochemical cycling is essential not only for guiding collection and interpretation of water-quality data but also for geochemical and ecological studies of streams. Expanded knowledge of diel biogeochemical cycling will improve understanding of how natural aquatic environments function and thus lead to better predictions of how stream ecosystems might react to changing conditions of contaminant loading, eutrophication, climate change, drought, industrialization, development, and other factors.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Diel biogeochemical processes and their effect on the aqueous chemistry of streams: A review
Series title Chemical Geology
DOI 10.1038/286118a0
Volume 283
Issue 1-2
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Montana Water Science Center
Description 15 p.
First page 3
Last page 17
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