Articles | Volume 22, issue 22
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7363-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7363-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
27 Nov 2025
Research article |
| 27 Nov 2025
| 27 Nov 2025
Toward a typology of river functioning: a comprehensive study of the particulate organic matter composition at the multi-river scale
Florian Ferchiche
Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, Bordeaux INP, UMR 5805 EPOC, 33600 Pessac, France
Camilla Liénart
Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, Bordeaux INP, UMR 5805 EPOC, 33600 Pessac, France
Karine Charlier
Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, Bordeaux INP, UMR 5805 EPOC, 33600 Pessac, France
Jonathan Deborde
Univ. Pau & Pays Adour, CNRS, E2S UPPA – MIRA, UMR 5254 IPREM, 64000 Pau, 64600 Anglet, France
Ifremer, COAST, 17390 La Tremblade, France
Mélanie Giraud
MNHN, Station Marine de Dinard, 35800 Dinard, France
Philippe Kerhervé
Univ. Perpignan, CNRS, UMR 5110 CEFREM, 66860 Perpignan, France
Pierre Polsenaere
Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, Bordeaux INP, UMR 5805 EPOC, 33600 Pessac, France
Ifremer, COAST, 17390 La Tremblade, France
Nicolas Savoye
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, Bordeaux INP, UMR 5805 EPOC, 33600 Pessac, France
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In a salt marsh, we performed seasonal 24 h cycles to look for aquatic metabolism influence on water carbon dynamics and net ecosystem CO2 exchanges (NEEs). From high to low tide in winter, marsh anaerobic respiration generated the highest levels of dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity. On the contrary, in spring and summer, marsh primary production led to CO2-depleted water exports downstream. At high tide, aquatic heterotrophy can influence NEE during the highest immersion levels only.
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Bivalves such as mussels and oysters reflect the quality of the environment by filtering ambient water. We measured carbon and nitrogen chemical composition in bivalve tissues from 33 sites along French coastlines sampled since the 1980s. Thanks to such time series, this dataset allows us to track how marine species record changing climate, physical–chemical environment, and organic matter cycles and provide precious information on the coastal ecosystem response to global change.
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Our research highlights the concerning impact of rising carbon dioxide levels on coastal areas. To better understand these changes, we've established an observation network in France. By deploying pH sensors and other monitoring equipment at key coastal sites, we're gaining valuable insights into how various factors, such as freshwater inputs, tides, temperature, and biological processes, influence ocean pH.
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Biogeosciences, 21, 993–1016, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-993-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-993-2024, 2024
Short summary
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We deployed an atmospheric eddy covariance system to measure continuously the net ecosystem CO2 exchanges (NEE) over a salt marsh and determine the major biophysical drivers. Our results showed an annual carbon sink mainly due to photosynthesis of the marsh plants. Our study also provides relevant information on NEE fluxes during marsh immersion by decreasing daytime CO2 uptake and night-time CO2 emissions at the daily scale, whereas the immersion did not affect the annual marsh C balance.
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Short summary
This study examines the particulate organic matter (POM) composition and dynamics in 23 temperate rivers. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis revealed four river types based on dominant POM sources (phytoplankton, terrestrial POM). Catchment characteristics influence POM composition while seasonal variations in river flow and sediment resuspension drive POM dynamics. This study improves the understanding of river systems and calls for further studies exploring downstream estuarine functioning.
This study examines the particulate organic matter (POM) composition and dynamics in 23...
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