Some observations on total carbon and nitrogen in suspended matter in the Kam Tin River, Hong Kong

Abstract

There is little information about the physical and chemical properties of the suspended matter in Hong Kong rivers. Some observations have been made in the Kam Tin basin of total carbon and nitrogen at two sites: an undisturbed upland stream and near Kam Tin in the developed lowlands. Under baseflow conditions at Kam Tin mean suspended C and N contents were 31.8% and 4.2% respectively. At the upland site C and N were lower at 13.2% and 1.1% respectively. During stormflow events C levels at Kam Tin and the upland site were 13.9% and 12.2% respectively and N values were 1.9% and 0.9% respectively. The concentrations of C and N (mg 1-1) under both baseflow and stormflow conditions were higher at the downstream lowland site. Seasonal variation under baseflow conditions was detected at Kam Tin while storm-period variation occurred at both sites. | There is little information about the physical and chemical properties of the suspended matter in Hong Kong rivers. Some observations have been made in the Kam Tin basin of total carbon and nitrogen at two sites: an undisturbed upland stream and near Kam Tin in the developed lowlands. Under baseflow conditions at Kam Tin mean suspended C and N contents were 31.8% and 4.2% respectively. At the upland site C and N were lower at 13.2% and 1.1% respectively. During stormflow events C levels at Kam Tin and the upland site were 13.9% and 12.2% respectively and N values were 1.9% and 0.9% respectively. The concentrations of C and N (mg l-1) under both baseflow and stormflow conditions were higher at the downstream lowland site. Seasonal variation under baseflow conditions was detected at Kam Tin while storm-period variation occurred at both sites.