Hydrochemical, isotopic, and biological data from persistent pools and a floodplain spring in the Fitzroy River, Western Australia (2019–2020 dry seasons)

This dataset contains hydrochemical, isotopic, and biological data collected from four persistent main-channel pools and one floodplain spring in the Fitzroy River, Western Australia. The data was collected at the end of the dry seasons in 2019 and 2020 to investigate the influence of groundwater-derived "old carbon" on the aquatic food web. The water data includes field parameters, major ions, and environmental tracers such as ²²²Rn, ³H, and ¹⁴C. Biological samples include periphyton, biofilm, molluscs, insects, and fish, with corresponding ¹⁴C measurements. These data were used to assess the role of groundwater in sustaining persistent pools and the extent to which old carbon is assimilated into the local food web.