Spatial and seasonal variations in δ13C AND δ15N of particulate organic matter in a dam‐controlled subtropical river

Alteration of stream flow by artificial dams has been observed to be a significant factor for river water environmental changes. Therefore, understanding the biogeochemical processes occurring in the dam‐controlled rivers is important for water resource management. In this paper, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signatures of particulate organic matter (POM) in a dam‐controlled subtropical river, Beijiang River, in south China are reported for their spatial and seasonal distributions. POM affected by reservoirs is lighter in δ¹³C and heavier in δ¹⁵N relative to unaffected POM. In April, POM δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values show less spatial variation in the mainstem, and suggest relatively greater contributions of terrestrial organic matter (OM) to POM. This could be related to the onset of summer monsoon that caused an abrupt increase in terrestrial input to the river by the monsoon‐induced enhancement of rainfall and runoff. In August and December, however, POM isotopic values for the sites affected by the Feilaixia dam reservoir in the middle of the river show marked changes, suggesting aquatic plankton proliferation in the reservoir during the times. Upstream from the reservoirs, POM isotopes are seasonally less varied and suggest mainly terrestrial origin. However, the isotopic signals of aquatic plankton proliferation in the reservoir in August and December is imprinted on the POM isotopic compositions downstream the reservoir, indicating far‐reaching influences of the reservoir on the downstream water environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.