Temporal variability in dissolved organic matter composition export in streams

Export of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from freshwater systems has been the focus of many studies owing to its pivotal role in regulating global carbon fluxes and ecosystem function. Both the flux and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) are critical for understanding its ecological impact, as similar compositions can have vastly different consequences depending on the magnitude of input and hydrological context. However, very little data exists on the composition of DOM export fluxes to downstream ecosystems. Here we investigate the interaction of water temperature and discharge on DOC and DOM composition export fluxes in two streams draining contrasting watersheds (agriculture versus forested) in southern Ontario, Canada across seasons. Using Generalized Additive Models, we observed that both stream discharge and water temperature significantly affected DOM composition, and the proportion of terrestrial humic-like DOM exhibited strong positive relationship with discharge. Although DOC loads were comparable between the two streams, the export loads and fluxes of DOM composition (in terms of fluorescent loads and fluxes) differed significantly. These patterns of DOM composition fluxes in both streams remained consistent across seasons, suggesting that watershed characteristics and nutrient availability primarily govern DOM dynamics and export, while seasonal drivers such as discharge and temperature further modulate these patterns. Export loads and fluxes of DOM components were higher in spring and winter months compared to summer and autumn in both streams, while fluxes also increased at medium (Q10-Q90) and high flow (> Q10) at a variable extent in the contrasting streams. Temperature and discharge regulated export of DOM can be further affected with changing climate and increasing frequency of extreme events and alter the processing and delivery of DOM to downstream ecosystems.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10533-025-01270-3.