DISSOLVED AND PARTICULATE ORGANIC-CARBON IN 2 WETLANDS IN SOUTHWESTERN NEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA

Concentrations of dissolved (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) in two billabong wetlands (Murrumbidgil Swamp and Lake Merrimajeel) i n inland temperate Australia were positively correlated with leaf fall from river red gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis (DOC and POC in Murrumbi dgil Swamp), phytoplankton productivity (DOC in Murrumbidgil Swamp, DO C and POC in Lake Merrimajeel), and with biomass of aquatic macrophyte s (DOC in the two wetlands). DOC correlated with water level at both s ites. Mean concentrations of DOC (Murrumbidgil Swamp, 36.0 g m-3; Lake Merrinmajeel, 27.5 g m-3) and POC (15.0 g m-3; 15.5 g m-3) were high compared with other water bodies worldwide, although average for wetla nds. The relatively high concentrations of DOC and POC in the study we tlands appear to be the result of their high rates of plant production , and input of leaves from river red gums.