Methane-Derived Carbon in the Benthic Food Web in Stream Impoundments

Methane gas (CH(4)) has been identified as an important alternative source of carbon and energy in some freshwater food webs. CH(4) is oxidized by methane oxidizing bacteria (MOB), and subsequently utilized by chironomid larvae, which may exhibit low δ(13)C values. This has been shown for chironomid larvae collected from lakes, streams and backwater pools. However, the relationship between CH(4) concentrations and δ(13)C values of chironomid larvae for in-stream impoundments is unknown. CH(4) concentrations were measured in eleven in-stream impoundments located in the Queich River catchment area, South-western Germany. Furthermore, the δ(13)C values of two subfamilies of chironomid larvae (i.e. Chironomini and Tanypodinae) were determined and correlated with CH(4) concentrations. Chironomini larvae had lower mean δ(13)C values (−29.2 to −25.5 ‰), than Tanypodinae larvae (−26.9 to −25.3 ‰). No significant relationships were established between CH(4) concentrations and δ(13)C values of chironomids (p>0.05). Mean δ(13)C values of chironomid larvae (mean: −26.8‰, range: −29.2‰ to −25.3‰) were similar to those of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) (mean: −28.4‰, range: −29.3‰ to −27.1‰) and tree leaf litter (mean: −29.8 ‰, range: −30.5‰ to −29.1‰). We suggest that CH(4) concentration has limited influence on the benthic food web in stream impoundments.