Seasonality of epCO₂ at different scales along an integrated river continuum within the Dee basin, NE Scotland

Spatial and temporal variations of free CO₂ concentrations in surface waters are mainly controlled by dynamic processes encompassing terrestrial inputs and in-stream biotic cycling. Free CO₂ can be expressed as 'excess partial pressure of CO₂' (epCO₂), indicating supersaturation or under-saturation with respect to atmospheric CO₂. Seasonal patterns of epCO₂ at sites draining nested upland catchments between 3·40 and 1837 km² were assessed within the River Dee basin in NE Scotland. EpCO₂ values ranged from 0·14 at the lowermost site on the mainstem in autumn to 12·7 on a major tributary during spring.A seasonality index was derived to describe contrasting winter/spring maxima and summer/autumn minima as annual mean epCO₂ values could not clearly distinguish between different sites. Seasonal differences tended to increase downstream as progressive changes in physicochemical conditions enhanced the influence of autotrophic communities. However, perturbations to this continuum occurred as CO₂ inputs from high DOC, heterotrophic tributaries and land-use changes between open moorland and forest affected downstream continuity. Major tributaries showed reduced differences between seasons compared to the mainstem. Smaller headwaters indicated a lack of seasonality as high connectivity of responsive, peaty soils enabled continual inputs of terrestrially derived free CO₂ to streams concomitant with limited autotrophic CO₂ removal, maintaining epCO₂ > 1 throughout.Seasonality of epCO₂ was mainly driven by the ability of in-stream biota to consume CO₂ during optimal conditions in summer/autumn. This was confirmed by multiple linear regression analysis, which indicated that, apart from catchment area, baseflow and biotic activity indicators were the best predictors of epCO₂ seasonality characteristics at any particular stage of the river system.