Dinâmica do carbono em pequenas bacias de drenagem sob uso de agricultura familiar na Amazônia Oriental

Abstract

This research was designed to evaluate carbon dynamics in Eastern Amazon, where the main land use is small holder farming, and was conducted in three small catchments. Carbon dynamics was evaluated considering hydrological and biogeochemical measurements in Cumaru, Pachibá and São João streams from June 2006 to May 2007. Aquatic environment and fluvial hydrogeochemistry were characterized through in situ measures of electrical conductivity, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen concentration. Water samples were collected and analyzed to determine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and carbon dioxide partial pressures (pCO2). Concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were calculated from pCO2 values. Despite being calculated from pCO2 values, CO2 fluxes were also measured in situ. Instantaneous discharge was measured in each month field campaign and used to calculate DOC annual fluxes. Soil and land use characterization in the study watersheds, as well as precipitation and discharge rates, were considered for results interpretation. Main results were: 1) Stream water physic-chemical characteristics in the study catchments respond to the acid soils, riparian vegetation, and the hydrological and biogeochemical processes in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and present some seasonal variation. 2) Dissolved carbon concentrations was correlated with pH and dissolved oxygen in stream water; 3) DOC fluxes weighted by area were higher than in other Amazonian watersheds and even higher during rainy season; 4) DOC fluxes and CO2 evasion seem to respond positively to riparian vegetation and mature forest, and negatively to agriculture; 5) CO2 evasion rates were higher than in other Amazonian rivers corroborating the hypothesis that small catchments are important sources of atmospheric CO2 in the region.