Rivers as carbon processors

The Europan Water News web site has a recent article about research reported at the COST ESF Frontiers of Science conference in October 2008 on how microorganisms in rivers and streams play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. A team of researchers from the University of Vienna are studying how microorganisms such as bacteria and single-celled algae in rivers and streams decompose organic matter as it flows downstream. They convert the carbon it contains into carbon dioxide, which is then released to the atmosphere. In HOORC's Library, you can find Dissolved organic matter accumulation, reactivity, and redox state in ground water of a recharge wetland published by HOORC researchers and associates Natalie Mladenov, Philippa Huntsman-Mapila, Piotr Wolski, Wellington R. L.Masamba, and Diane M. McKnight in the September 2008 issue of the journal, Wetlands.