Long-chain diols (LCDs) occur widespread in marine environments and also in lakes and rivers. Transport of LCDs from rivers may impact the distribution of LCDs in coastal environments, however relatively little is known about the distribution and biological sources of LCDs in river systems. In this study, we investigated the distribution of LCDs in suspended particulate matter (SPM) of three river systems (Godavari, Danube, and Rhine) in relation with precipitation, temperature, and source catchments. The dominant long-chain diol is the C32 1,15-diol followed by the C30 1,15-diol in all studied river systems. In regions influenced by marine waters, such as delta systems, the fractional abundance of the C30 1,15-diol is substantially higher than in the river itself, suggesting different LCD producers in marine and freshwater environments. A change in the LCD distribution along the downstream transects of the rivers studied was not observed. However, an effect of river flow is observed; i.e., the concentration ... : Supplement to: Lattaud, Julie; Kirkels, Frédérique M S A; Peterse, Francien; Freymond, Chantal V; Eglinton, Timothy Ian; Hefter, Jens; Mollenhauer, Gesine; Balzano, Sergio; Villanueva, Laura; van der Meer, Marcel T J; Hopmans, Ellen C; Sinninghe Damsté, Jaap S; Schouten, Stefan (2018): Long-chain diols in rivers: distribution and potential biological sources. Biogeosciences, 15(13), 4147-4161 ...