Carbon budget of rivers as exemplified by the Danube

Summary

The dynamics of metabolic conversion of carbon in rivers are studied with the aid of the latest analytical methods for the determination of the various forms in which carbon may occur (TC, TIC, TOC, DOC, UOC). The balance of these parameters in the longitudinal profile of the river provides important information on the prevailing degree of pollution and the actual self-purification processes. A well-considered combination of the carbon analysis parameters with other water quality parameters (BOD, COD, TOD) provides valuable information which serves as a basis for model computations, surface water recovery measures and waste water load plans.