Dynamics of dissolved and biogenic silica in the freshwater reaches of a macrotidal estuary (The Scheldt, Belgium)

Temporal evolution of dissolved and biogenic silica concentrations along the Scheldt tidal river and in its tributaries was investigated during 1 year in 2003. In the tributaries, dissolved silica (DSi) concentrations remained high and biogenic silica (BSi) concentrations were low throughout the year. In the tidal river during summer, DSi was completely consumed and BSi concentrations increased. Overall, most of the BSi was associated with living diatoms during the productive period in the tidal river. Nevertheless, the detrital BSi was a significant fraction of the total BSi pool, of which less than 10% could be attributed to phytoliths. The tidal river was divided into two zones for budgeting purposes. The highest productivity was observed in the zone that received the highest water discharge, as higher riverine DSi input fluxes induced presumably a less restrictive DSi limitation, but the discharge pattern could not explain all by itself the variations in DSi consumption. Silica uptake and retention in the tidal river were important at the seasonal time-scale: from May to September, 48% of the riverine DSi was consumed and 65% of the produced BSi was deposited, leading to a silica (DSi + BSi) retention in the tidal river of 30%. However, when annual fluxes were considered, DSi uptake in the tidal river amounted to 14% of the DSi inputs and only 6% of the riverine silica (DSi + BSi) was retained in the tidal river.     

Decreased Silica Land–sea Fluxes through Damming in the Baltic Sea Catchment – Significance of Particle Trapping and Hydrological Alterations

We tested the hypothesis that reservoirs with low water residence time and autochthonous production influence river biogeochemistry in eutrophied river systems draining cultivated watersheds. The effect of a single artificial water reservoir and consecutive reservoirs on silica (Si) river fluxes is exemplified by the moderately dammed Vistula River and the heavily regulated Daugava River that are compared with the practically undammed Oder River. The sum of the discharge weighted annual mean biogenic silica (BSi) and dissolved silicate (DSi) concentrations in the rivers Oder, Vistula and Daugava were about 160 μ M (40 + 120 μ M), 150 μ M (20 + 130 μ M) and 88 μ M (6 + 82 μ M), respectively. Assuming BSi and DSi concentrations as observed in the Oder River as typical for eutrophied but undammed rivers, complete trapping of this BSi could have lowered Si fluxes to the Baltic Sea from rivers with cultivated watersheds by 25%. The superimposed effect of hydrological alterations on reduced Si land–sea fluxes is demonstrated by studies in the boreal/subarctic and oligotrophic rivers Kalixälven and Lueälven. The DSi yield of the heavily dammed Luleälven (793 kg km^?2 yr^?1) constituted only 63% of that was found in the unregulated Kalixälven (1261 kg km^?2 yr^?1), despite the specific runoff of the Luleälven (672 mm m^?2 yr^?1) being 19% higher than that of theKalixälven (563 mm m^?2 yr^?1); runoff normalized DSi yield of the former, regulated watershed, was only half the DSi yield of the latter, unperturbed watershed. Based on these findings, it is hypothesized here that perturbed surface water–groundwater interactions are the major reasons for the reduced annual fluctuations in DSi concentrations as also seen in the heavily dammed and eutrophic river systems such as the Daugava and Danube.     

Lack of steady-state in the global biogeochemical Si cycle: emerging evidence from lake Si sequestration

Weathering of silicate minerals releases dissolved silicate (DSi) to the soil-vegetation system. Accumulation and recycling of this DSi by terrestrial ecosystems creates a pool of reactive Si on the continents that buffers DSi export to the ocean. Human perturbations to the functioning of the buffer have been a recent research focus, yet a common assumption is that the continental Si cycle is at steady-state. However, we have no good idea of the timescales of ecosystem Si pool equilibration with their environments. A review of modelling and geochemical considerations suggests the modern continental Si cycle is in fact characterised in the long-term by an active accumulation of reactive Si, at least partially attributable to lakes and reservoirs. These lentic systems accumulate Si via biological conversion of DSi to biogenic silica (BSi). An analysis of new and published data for nearly 700 systems is presented to assess their contribution to the accumulating continental pool. Surface sediment BSi concentrations (n = 692) vary between zero and >60 % SiO₂ by weight, apparently independently of lake size, location or water chemistry. Using sediment core BSi accumulation rates (n = 109), still no relationships are found with lake or catchment parameters. However, issues associated with single-core accumulation rates should in any case preclude their use in elemental accumulation calculations. Based on lake/reservoir mass-balances (n = 34), our best global-scale estimate of combined lake and reservoir Si retention is 1.53 TMol year^?1, or 21–27 % of river DSi export. Again, no scalable relationships are apparent, suggesting Si retention is a complex process that varies from catchment to catchment. The lake Si sink has implications for estimation of weathering flux generation from river chemistry. The size of the total continental Si pool is poorly constrained, as is its accumulation rate, but lakes clearly contribute substantially. A corollary to this emerging understanding is that the flux and isotopic composition of DSi delivered to the ocean has likely varied over time, partly mediated by a fluctuating continental pool, including in lakes.     

Retention of dissolved silica within the fluvial system of the conterminous USA

Dissolved silica (DSi) is an important nutrient in aquatic ecosystems. Increased DSi retention within the fluvial system due to damming and eutrophication has led to a decrease in DSi exports to coastal waters, which can have severe consequences for coastal areas where ecosystem functioning depends on fluvial DSi inputs. The analysis of fluvial DSi fluxes and DSi retention at regional to global scales is thus an important research topic. This study explores the possibility to empirically assess regional DSi retention based on a spatially explicit estimation of DSi mobilization and fluvial DSi fluxes calculated from hydrochemical monitoring data. The uncertainty of DSi retention rates (r_DSi) estimated for particular rivers is high. Nevertheless, for the St. Lawrence River (r_DSi = 91 %) and the Mississippi River (r_DSi = 13 %) the estimated DSi retention rates are reasonable and are supported by literature values. The variety of sources of the uncertainty in the DSi retention assessment is discussed.     

海南岛西南部土壤生物硅分布的时空差异及其驱动机制

地球表层元素硅(Si)的生物地球化学循环影响全球初级生产力和全球碳循环进而影响地球环境变化。土壤生物硅(BSi)因其易溶解而成为岩石圈-土壤圈-生物圈-水圈等圈层之间Si迁移-转化的枢纽。采集海南岛西南部的热带季雨林、经济林(橡胶林、桉树林、芒果林)和农作物(香蕉、甘蔗)土壤样品。采用热碱消化连续提取法萃取BSi;运用相关分析和主成分分析法识别土壤BSi含量变化的主要驱动因素。结果表明：研究区不同植物群落土壤BSi含量从大到小依次为：香蕉地((2.38±0.72)mg/g)>热带季雨林((1.86±1.34) mg/g)>橡胶林((1.42±0.81) mg/g)>桉树林((1.22±0.28) mg/g)>芒果林((0.98±0.71) mg/g)>甘蔗地((0.62±0.74) mg/g);研究区土壤BSi含量存在随群落变化的季节变化：森林群落土壤 BSi含量干季大于湿季,农业草本群落(香蕉和甘蔗)土壤BSi含量则出现湿季大于干季的特征。研究区土壤BSi含量变化主要受生物因素(总氮和碳/氮(C/N))和非生物因素(化学风化程度)耦合驱动。在全球尺度上,海南岛西南部土壤BSi含量(1.43 mg/g)低于热带雨林土壤BSi含量(2.5 mg/g),揭示水热同期的季风气候区山地土壤较活跃的微生物活动和较强的降雨、径流侵蚀作用,均有利于土壤BSi发生迁移-转换,最终以溶解态硅的形式随地表径流注入南海,在一定程度上保持南海生态系统的营养成分结构,确保南海生态系统良性循环。     

Diatoms, silicic acid and biogenic silica dynamics along the salinity gradient of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium/The Netherlands)

The Scheldt estuary (Belgium/The Netherlands) was sampled along the entire salinity gradient from 2003 to 2005 for silicic acid (DSi), biogenic silica (BSi), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and pigments. Net DSi consumption and/or release within the estuary were investigated by comparing measured DSi concentrations with (fully-transient) model simulations of the concentrations that would have been obtained in case of conservative transport. The DSi consumption was at maximum in May due to diatoms of presumably marine origin blooming in the lower estuary. DSi consumption decreased rapidly in July, probably because of the grazing pressure of copepods also of marine origin, and DSi was released from late summer onwards. Multiple regression analyses showed that most of the BSi did not follow the dynamics of the living diatoms but rather that of the SPM. They also suggested that diatoms were more silicified in the upper estuary than in the lower estuary. Phytoliths were not expected to contribute significantly to the BSi pool. As BSi dynamics strongly differed from those of diatoms and DSi, this study highlighted the importance of taking BSi into account when investigating estuarine silica dynamics. This study also revealed the fundamental role of the coupling between the biogeochemical and ecological functioning of the lower estuary and that of the adjacent coastal zone. This contrasts with the classical consideration that estuaries act as one-way filters for dissolved and particulate material of riverine origin.     

Seasonal Variation of Cadmium, Copper, and Lead Concentrations in Fish from a Freshwater Lake

This paper aims to compare the Cd, Cu, and Pb concentration in the bone, gills, and muscle of the seven fish species sampled during normal and dry seasons. Cadmium, Cu, and Pb concentrations varied significantly depending on the type of the tissue and season. Bone samples of the Osteochilus hasseltii showed the highest concentrations of Pb (6.08 μg/g dw) during September (the dry season), whereas bone samples of the Puntioplites bulu showed the lowest concentrations of Cd (0.08 μg/g dw) during September. Muscle samples of the P. bulu indicated the highest concentrations of Cu (2.58 μg/g dw) during March (the normal season). On the other hand, muscle samples of Channa straitus sowed the lowest concentrations of Cd (0.04 μg/g dw) during July (the dry season). Gills samples of the O. hasseltii showed the highest concentration of Pb (6.56 μg/g dw) during March (the normal season), while gills samples of C. straitus indicated the lowest concentration of Cd (0.06 μg/g dw) during July (the dry season).     

Arsenic and Arsenic Species in Cultured Oyster (Crassostrea gigas and C. corteziensis) from Coastal Lagoons of the SE Gulf of California, Mexico

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of arsenic (As) through cultured oyster Crassostrea gigas and Crassostrea corteziensis from four coastal lagoons (SE Gulf of California). Organisms were collected in two seasons (rainy and dry season), and they were analyzed for total arsenic and chemical speciation of this element. The concentrations of As in oyster soft tissue fluctuated between 5.44 and 9.56 μg/g for rainy season and 6.46 and 8.33 μg/g for dry season (dry weight) in C. gigas. In C. corteziensis, the As concentrations were <5 μg/g for both seasons (dry weight). Arsenic speciation indicated arsenobetaine as the major arseno-compound accounting for 43.2–76.3 % of total content of As. Lower contributions were obtained for non-extractable As (11.3–17.5 %) and other molecules such as arsenocholine and methyl-arsonate (<5 %). Inorganic arsenic was detectable in only two samples, at concentrations lower than <0.1 μg/g. These As data are the first generated for these mollusks in NW Mexico and indicate that C. gigas and C. corteziensis farmed in this area are safe for human consumption in terms of arseno-compounds.     

Dynamics of biogenic Si in freshwater tidal marshes: Si regeneration and retention in marsh sediments (Scheldt estuary)

The sequestration and recycling of biogenic silica (BSi) in freshwater tidal marshes was modelled through the combination of short-term year round sediment trap data with a long-term sedimentation model, MARSED. The modelling was implemented through the complete evolution from a young rapidly rising marsh to a marsh with an elevation close to mean high water. BSi in imported suspended matter was higher in summer (10.9 mg BSi g⁻¹ sediment) than winter (7.6 mg BSi g⁻¹ sediment). However, the deposition of BSi on the marsh surface was higher in winter compared to summer, due to the higher sedimentation rates. Deposition of BSi was correlated to the suspended matter deposition. In the old marsh, yearly about 40 g BSi m⁻² was deposited, while in the young marsh deposition could rise up to 300 g m⁻². Young marshes retained up to 85% of the imported biogenic silica. Recycling efficiency (60%) increased drastically for older marshes. The study shows that marshes act as important sinks for BSi along estuaries. The recycling of the imported BSi to DSi in summer and spring is most likely an essential factor in the buffering role of tidal marshes for estuarine DSi concentrations.     

Emerging understanding of the ecosystem silica filter

The annual fixation of dissolved Si (DSi) into terrestrial vegetation has been estimated to range from 60 to 200 Tmole, or 10–40 times more than the yearly export of DSi and biogenic Si (BSi) from the terrestrial geobiosphere to the coastal zone. Ecosystems form a large filter between primary mobilization of DSi from silicate weathering and its eventual export to the oceans, and a large reservoir of BSi accumulates in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Although a number of synthesis activities within the last decade have discussed biological transformations in the terrestrial Si cycle, the timescales at which BSi is stored and recycled within ecosystems, BSi persistence and reactivity throughout soil profiles, the dependence of the BSi storage and recycling on ecological processes, the feedbacks to hydrology, the interaction with man’s activities and ultimately the global relevance in Si budgets are poorly constrained. Here we discuss 5 key controls on the ability of ecosystems to filter and control the export of DSi: ecosystem biodiversity, BSi dissolution rates and reactivity, hydrology, interaction with the geosphere and anthropogenic impacts. These controls need to be further studied to better quantify the global and local importance of the terrestrial biogeochemical Si cycle and specifically the BSi reservoir in ecosystems.     

Environmental factors which influence the sink of silica in the limnetic system of the large monomictic Lake Biwa and its watershed in Japan

Dissolved silica (DSi) and its associated biological and physicochemical factors were measured in Lake Biwa, Japan and its watershed from 2002 to 2003 in order to clarify seasonal variations in the magnitude of the sink of silica and the factors that influence it within the limnetic system. Consequently, it is concluded that Lake Biwa is a noticeable body of water where a massive sink of silica is caused. Calculated silica sedimentation in Lake Biwa was 2.0 × 10⁷ kg Si year⁻¹ (7.1 × 10⁸ mol Si year⁻¹) which is equivalent to about 80% of the annual inflow discharge of DSi to Lake Biwa. The magnitude of the sink varies seasonally by increasing in the winter holomictic stirring period, since it is greatly affected by the species composition of phytoplankton, the load of phosphorus and the condition of stratification. It seems reasonable to suppose that the DSi in Lake Biwa is removed mainly by biological processes, i.e., the assimilation of DSi by large centric diatoms and its accumulation in their frustules. Such silica sinks occur naturally in deeper stagnant waters, providing extended water residence time and supplying a certain amount of nutrients. These findings indicate that an increase in nutrient loads and abundance of stagnant water due to the construction of large dams lead to an expansion in the magnitude of the silica sink in a limnetic system.     

典型喀斯特流域旱雨季交替下溶解硅的输送特征

河流溶解硅（DSi）作为营养物质对维持陆地、河流及海洋生态系统稳定性起到至关重要的作用。选取贵州典型喀斯特流域为研究对象,通过对DSi湿沉降过程,基流过程及降雨径流过程的动态变化进行全年监测分析,探讨DSi在旱雨季交替下的输送特征及河流DSi浓度变化引起的环境效应。结果表明：①湿沉降过程降雨量越大,DSi浓度越小,河流DSi浓度变化有明显的旱、雨季特征,雨季DSi浓度较高,旱季较低,地表水径流量及DSi浓度对降雨径流过程的响应比地下水明显。②DSi沉降通量及输出通量呈明显的旱、雨季差异,雨季DSi湿沉降通量占全年的69.5%,地表水雨季DSi输出负荷占全年的98.1%,地下水占51.4%。③流域硅酸盐岩风化过程不强烈,主要受到碳酸盐岩及蒸发岩控制。流域DSi浓度受人为水库影响明显,经过水库后河流中DSi浓度旱季下降29.0%、雨季下降70.9%。研究为全面认识硅在陆地生态系统中的生物地球化学循环提供科学依据。     

The effects of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on oxidative stress in isolated rat heart

Despite the widespread clinical use of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, dilemmas still exist about potential impact of these drugs on cardiovascular system. The present study was aimed to estimate the effects of different COX inhibitors (meloxicam, acetylsalicylic acid [ASA], and SC-560) on oxidative stress in isolated rat heart, with special focus on l-arginine/NO system. The hearts of male Wistar albino rats (total number n = 96, each group 12 rats, 8 weeks old, body mass 180–200 g) were retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at gradually increased perfusion pressure (40–120 cmH₂O). After control experiments the hearts were perfused with the following drugs: 100 μmol/l ASA (Aspirin), alone or in combination with 30 μmol/l l-NAME, 0.3 μmol/l meloxicam (movalis) with or without 30 μmol/l l-NAME, 3 μmol/l meloxicam (alone or in combination with 30 μmol/l l-NAME), 30 μmol/l l-NAME, and administration of 0.25 μmol/l SC-560. In samples of coronary venous effluent the following oxidative stress markers were measured spectrophotometrically: index of lipid peroxidation (measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]), superoxide anion radical release (O₂ ^?), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). While ASA was found to have an adverse influence on redox balance in coronary circulation, and coronary perfusion, meloxicam and SC-560 do not negatively affect the intact model of the heart. Furthermore, all effects were modulated by NOS inhibition. It seems that interaction between COX and l-arginine/NO system truly exists in coronary circulation, and can be one of the possible causes for achieved effects. That means: those effects induced by different inhibitors of COX are modulated by subsequent inhibition of NOS.     

Watershed land use alters riverine silica cycling

Recent research has highlighted that humans are perturbing the global silica (Si) cycle through land use change. Here we compare in-stream Si biogeochemistry across four rivers that lie along a gradient of land use change in New England, USA. Differences between basins were most notable during the late winter/early spring period when dissolved Si (DSi) concentrations declined significantly in all but the most urban site. Declines in DSi concentration could not be attributed to volumetric dilution by higher discharges, nor in-stream phytoplankton growth, as biogenic Si concentrations did not increase during this period. We provide evidence that uptake of Si by terrestrial vegetation, specifically trees, is responsible for the observed declines of in-stream DSi concentrations (a loss of 2.7 μM day^?1 at the most forested site). We hypothesize that sap flow during this late winter/early spring period is driving this accretion. We estimate that 68 kmol Si km^?2 is accreted annually by New England forests, falling well within the range of forest Si accretion rates found in published studies. This analysis increases our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to altered Si biogeochemistry in rivers draining watersheds with different land use.     

The signal transduction pathways of heat shock protein 27 phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells

The objective of this study is to investigate the signal transduction pathways that regulate heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) phosphorylation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) induced by angiotensin II (AngII) and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). The activity of HSP27 was evaluated by Western blot with specific phospho-HSP27 antibody. F-actin polymerization was detected by FITC-Phalloidine staining using confocal microscopy. Modified Boyden chamber technique was employed for VSMCs migration assessment. Within a given concentration, the phosphorylation of HSP27 induced by AngII and PDGF-BB was blocked by the specific P38MAPK inhibitor SB202190, the specific PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and the specific ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 in a concentration-dependent manner, with a peak inhibition rate at 87.2%, 78.4% and 37.3%, respectively, induced by AngII (P < 0.01), with a peak inhibition rate at 85.0%, 55.3% and 41.0%, respectively, induced by PDGF-BB (P < 0.01).The migration of VSMCs induced by AngII and PDGF-BB was inhibited by 100 μmol/l SB202190, 30 μmol/l LY294002, and 30 μmol/l U0126, with a inhibition rate at 60.1%, 71.7% and 47.3%, respectively, provoked by AngII (P < 0.01), with a inhibition rate at 55.3%, 55.6% and 38.1%, respectively, provoked by PDGF-BB (P < 0.01). P38MAPK and PI3 K/Akt are important pathways that contribute to the phosphorylation of HSP27 and migration of VSMCs in response to AngII and PDGF-BB. ERK1/2 might be involved in HSP27 phosphorylation and migration of VSMCs provoked by AngII and PDGF-BB.     

Assessment of the Zinc and Copper Status in Alpaca

This study was performed with the aim of investigating the concentration of zinc and copper in the blood of healthy alpacas (Vicugna pacos) kept in central Europe and to compare the concentration of Zn and Cu in plasma and in whole blood. A further objective was to evaluate blood Zn and Cu in relation to different micromineral supplementation, age and sex groups of alpacas. A total of 299 alpacas (224 adults and 75 crias) from 18 farms were included in this study. The concentrations of copper and zinc in plasma/whole blood were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of this study show high individual variability in plasma Zn (median 3.54, range 1.56–8.01 μmol/l), whole blood Zn (median 10.01, range 6.23–75.0 μmol/l), plasma Cu (median 7.53, range 2.93–16.41 μmol/l) and whole blood Cu (median 6.33, range 3.02–13.95 μmol/l). Plasma Zn was not significantly influenced by sex, age or feeding group. Whole blood Zn was only significantly higher in females than in males. The intake of Zn in all groups was equal to or higher than the nutritional recommendation. During excessive supplementation, Zn absorption decreased and thus blood Zn did not reflect the higher intake. Only a weak correlation was found (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.384; p > 0.01; n = 204) between plasma and whole blood Zn concentrations. Plasma copper concentration was significantly influenced by age, sex and feeding; whole blood Cu by age and feeding. However, neither plasma Cu nor whole blood Cu reflected the intake of the element. We found a close correlation between plasma and blood copper concentrations (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.9043; p ≤ 0.01; n = 99). According to our results, copper in plasma or blood is not a good indicator of copper intake.     

High-level expression in Corynebacterium glutamicum of nitrile hydratase from Rhodococcus rhodochrous for acrylamide production

The nhhBAG gene of Rhodococcus rhodochrous M33 that encodes nitrile hydratase (NHase), converting acrylonitrile into acrylamide, was cloned and expressed in Corynebacterium glutamicum under the control of an ilvC promoter. The specific enzyme activity in recombinant C. glutamicum cells was about 13.6 μmol/min/mg dry cell weight (DCW). To overexpress the NHase, five types of plasmid variants were constructed by introducing mutations into 80 nucleotides near the translational initiation region (TIR) of nhhB. Of them, pNBM4 with seven mutations showed the highest NHase activity, exhibiting higher expression levels of NhhB and NhhA than wild-type pNBW33, mainly owing to decreased secondary-structure stability and an introduction of a conserved Shine-Dalgarno sequence in the translational initiation region. In a fed-batch culture of recombinant Corynebacterium cells harboring pNBM4, the cell density reached 53.4 g DCW/L within 18 h, and the specific and total enzyme activities were estimated to be 37.3 μmol/min/mg DCW and 1,992 μmol/min/mL, respectively. The use of recombinant Corynebacterium cells for the production of acrylamide from acrylonitrile resulted in a conversion yield of 93 % and a final acrylamide concentration of 42.5 % within 6 h when the total amount of fed acrylonitrile was 456 g.     

Seasonal variation in nutritional composition and anti-proliferative activity of brown seaweed, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sargassum oligocystum</Emphasis>

This study investigated the nutritional components and anti-proliferative activity of Sargassum oligocystum against an adriamycin-resistant human small cell lung carcinoma cell line (GLC4/Adr). The seaweed samples were collected from Nang Rong Beach, Chonburi Province, Thailand in February (the hot/dry season), May (the early monsoon season), August (the monsoon season) and December (the cool/dry season) of 2012. In general, the nutritional composition of S. oligocystum was high during the hot dry and early monsoon season. Additionally, four different types of extract were obtained: ethanolic extract (E1), lipophilic extract (E2), acidic extract (E3) and alkali extract (E4). The highest anti-proliferative activity was found in samples collected during the monsoon season. It is noteworthy that the E2 extract collected during the monsoon season was the most effective, with an IC₅₀ (half maximal inhibitory concentration) value of 2.52 ± 0.54 μg mL^?1. The anti-proliferative activity showed a positive correlation with vitamin E (α-tocopherol) in the extracts. However, there were no clear correlations between the total phenolic or fucoxanthin contents and anti-proliferative activity. These results indicate that S. oligocystum has potential as an alternative source for functional food or cancer treatments in the future.     

Controls on dissolved organic carbon composition and export from rice-dominated systems

Rice field outflow can contain high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which plays a crucial role in drinking water quality and aquatic ecosystem processes. This study examined the relationship between potential determining factors (i.e. rice area, outflow, drainwater reuse, soil properties, and time, measured as the day in the growing season) and the concentration and composition of DOC exported from 11 rice-dominated subwatersheds. Samples were collected from subwatershed inflow and outflow every 1–2 weeks from May through September 2008 and analyzed for DOC concentration, trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP), and also specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA₂₅₄) and the spectral slope parameter (S), which are indicators of DOC composition. Concentrations of DOC across all subwatersheds and sampling dates ranged from 1.56 to 14.43 mg L^?1 (mean = 4.32 mg L^?1). Linear mixed effects (LME) analysis indicated that DOC concentration decreased over time, and that THMFP, and DOC and THM flux, decreased over time, but increased with outflow. LME analysis of the SUVA₂₅₄ and S parameters indicated that the fraction of aromatic DOC moieties increased with time, outflow, and reuse. Additionally, apparent peaks in DOC concentrations, THMFP, and SUVA₂₅₄ coincided with the onsets of flooding and draining. Lastly, subwatersheds with outflow less than approximately 4,700 m³ ha^?1 behaved as sinks of DOC. Our findings suggest that water management factors such as outflow, reuse, and discrete irrigation events, all of which vary over the course of the growing season, were the dominant determinants of DOC concentration and composition.