The Self-purification capacity of the hyporheic zone under the pressure of hydrological extreme events
Abstract
The hyporheic zone of streams is an important linkage between the surface water and the groundwater. Hydrological extreme events resulting from global climate change, such as drought or an altered flood regime, affect the physico-chemical matter retention in the hyporheic zone (e.g. P adsorption) as well as the conditions for matter uptake and transformation through bacteria and algae. The full impact of hydrological extreme events on the self-purification capacity of the stream ecosystem is still largely unknown so far. Therefore, the project STONE investigates the effects of partial and full intermittency of the hyporhic zone on the retention and/or the mobilisation of organic carbon and nutrients in stream ecosystems. We will perform desiccation experiments within experimental hyporheic flumes at WasserCluster Lunz in Lunz am See. Our investigations will adress both pristine and nutrient-enriched systems. The focus of the project will be on: (1) the identification of conditions which lead to reductions in matter retention or induce a shift from permanent to temporary retention mechanisms, (2) the identification of factors which lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions, (3) the analyses of the resistance and resilience of matter trasnfromation procceses to changes in the hydrological regime, and (4) the analyses of the significance of carbon, nitrogen, and phopshorus in both their particulate and dissolved form for biogeochemical processes in the hyporheic zone.
Hyporheic zone Intermittency Biogeochemistry Self-purificatiion aquatic microbiology
Publikationen
Project staff
Gabriele Weigelhofer
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Gabriele Weigelhofer
gabriele.weigelhofer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-81242
BOKU Project Leader
01.01.2018 - 31.12.2020
BOKU partners
External partners
University of Vienna, Department of Limnology
Dr. Jakob Schelker
partner