The main objective of this study was to study the dissolved carbon dynamics along a reach of the Acre River, evaluating the influence of Rio Branco city urban area and of the discharge from three of its tributaries (Riozinho do Rola, igarapé Judia and igarapé São Francisco), as well as the influence of hydrological seasonal changes. Samples were taken monthly, between December 2006 and September 2007, at five sites in Acre River and one site at the tributaries mouths. Each sample consisted of 1 liter of river/tributary water, which was submitted to filtering and aliquots withdrawn for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, NH4 +, HCO3 -, Cl-, SO4 2-, NO3 -, NO2 -, e PO4 3-) analysis. Electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen and water temperature measurements were also made. Mean annual pH in Acre River varied from 6.46 to 6.54 between sites and electrical conductivity presented mean values from 69.93 to 77.84 μS cm-1. In the tributaries, the mean annual pH ranged from 6.10 to 6.51 and electrical conductivity presented annual means from 54.08 and 153.03 μS cm-1. Na+ and Ca2+ were the dominant cations for both Acre River and its tributaries, while main anions were Cland SO4 2-. The mean annual DOC concentration in Acre River ranged from 4.62 to 5.17 mg l-1, with no significant difference among sampling sites. The tributaries’ mean annual DOC concentrations varied from 3.55 to 6.55 mg l-1. The concentrations were significantly higher in the high water period, with averages that ranged from 6.26 to 6.39 mg l-1 in Acre River sites. igarapé São Francisco was the only tributary that did not present differences between the seasons. Mean annual DIC concentration in Acre River ranged from 527.91 to 598.18 μM, with no significant difference among sampling sites. The higher concentrations were observed in the dry season, ranging from 816.31 to 998.52 μM. Mean annual DIC concentration in the tributaries ranged from 248.54 to 986.50 μM. Mean annual CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) in Acre River sites ranged from 3559 and 4059 ppm, with no significant differences among sites and with higher values in high waters. Based on these results, we conclude that the dissolved carbon dynamics in Acre River have not presented significant variations due to the tributaries discharge or due to the sewage discarded. On the other hand, hydrological seasonal changes are the most important drivers for changes in carbon dynamics.
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