Diffuse contribution of organic matter in the Mata dos Cocais Forest, Brazil

Abstract

The Mata dos Cocais Forest, an ecotone between the Amazon, Caatinga, and Cerrado biomes, still lacks data on the diffuse contribution of organic matter to rivers. A 12-month study conducted along a 3.53 km stretch of the Saco River (1,540 km² basin), predominantly covered by dense forest, used the Streeter-Phelps model to estimate diffuse organic matter concentrations of 0.201 mg BOD L^-1 km^-2 and 0.95 mg BOD L^-1 km^-1 — values similar to those reported for tropical forests in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Brazilian Cerrado. This organic matter input is attributed to the decomposition of plant biomass in densely forested areas. By providing previously unpublished primary data for the region, this study advances understanding of organic matter fluxes in the Mata dos Cocais Forest. It offers valuable insights for planning and formulating water and environmental management policies.