Rivers carbonate plant nutrients

In this chapter we discuss the distribution and the development of plant communities in floodplain areas, mainly of the big whitewater rivers, focusing on factors such as diversity, species composition, biomass and primary production. Based upon these factors, we also discuss the annual dynamics of bioelements stocks and their turnover through herbaceous and floodplain forest communities. Finally, we examine the implications of such nutrient dynamics and turnover for the aquatic biota. We do not address carbon and nutrient budgets, as these are thoroughly discussed in chapter 14. 

Human activities, such as agriculture and industry, lead to the pollution of waters due to the input of nutrients and chemicals. Additionally, sewage treatment plants release small, aliphatic organics. The occurrence of such human activities can be seen in the characteristics of the organic carbon content of natural waters. For example, large European rivers (Seine, Rhine, Main) contain significant quantities of... 

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