Monitoring the fluvial palynomorph load in a lowland temperate catchment and its relationship to suspended sediment and discharge |
| |
Authors: | A G Brown R G Carpenter D E Walling |
| |
Institution: | (1) School of Geography, Palaeoecology Laboratory University of Southampton, Highfields Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK;(2) South West Water Limited, Peninsula House, Rydon Lane, Devon, Exeter, EX2 7HR, UK;(3) School of Geography and Archaeology, University of Exeter, Amory Building, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4RJ, UK |
| |
Abstract: | Despite it being a component of the seston we know very little about fluvial (waterborne) pollen and spore (palynomorph) transport.
This paper presents the results of a monitoring programme conducted over two years and at a catchment scale in South West
England. A hierarchical monitoring network was established with flood peak samples taken at 9 sub-catchments, intra-hydrograph
samples taken in two sub-catchments and time-integrated sampling undertaken at one location. In addition sampling was undertaken
of probable palynomorph sources such as channel bed and bank sediments, and the airborne pollen flux was monitored using modified
Tauber traps. The results support previous research in illustrating how the vast majority of fluvial pollen and spores are
transported during floods (91%) and that the main control on waterborne palynomorph assemblages is the catchment vegetation
and its spatial distribution but with a long-distance (extra-catchment) component. However, strong seasonal effects are also
shown, and the importance of distinctive sources such as the riparian input, bed re-suspension and overland flow into drains
and tributaries is revealed. Fine sediment in river pools appears to act as a selective store of damaged cereal type pollen
grains derived from arable fields. Although pollen does form part of composite particles the data presented here suggest that
the majority of the pollen is transported as single grains. Fluvial palynomorph loading is strongly dependant upon discharge
and so concentrations in laminated or varved sediments could be regarded as a proxy for flood magnitude.
Handling editor: J. Saros |
| |
Keywords: | Seston Fine particulate organic matter Waterborne pollen Suspended sediment organic transport |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|