@article {3721, title = { Long-Term Hydrologic Control of Microbial Mat Abundance in McMurdo Dry Valley Streams, Antarctica.}, journal = {Ecosystems}, volume = {18}, year = {2015}, month = {03/2015}, pages = {310-327}, chapter = {310}, abstract = {

Given alterations in global hydrologic regime, we examine the role of hydrology in regulating stream microbial mat abundance in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Here, perennial mats persist as a desiccated crust until revived by summer streamflow, which varies inter-annually, and has increased since the 1990s. We predicted high flows to scour mats, and intra-seasonal drying to slow growth. Responses were hypothesized to differ based on mat location within streams, along with geomorphology, which may promote (high coverage) or discourage (low coverage) accrual. We compared hydrologic trends with the biomass of green and orange mats, which grow in the channel, and black mats growing at stream margins for 16 diverse stream transects over two decades. We found mat biomass collectively decreased during first decade coinciding with low flows, and increased following elevated discharges. Green mat biomass showed the greatest correlations with hydrology and was stimulated by discharge in high coverage transects, but negatively correlated in low coverage due to habitat scour. In contrast, orange mat biomass was negatively related to flow in high coverage transects, but positively correlated in low coverage because of side-channel expansion. Black mats were weakly correlated with all hydrologic variables regardless of coverage. Lastly, model selection indicated the best combination of predictive hydrologic variables for biomass differed between mat types, but also high and low coverage transects. These results demonstrate the importance of geomorphology and species composition to modeling primary production, and will be useful in predicting ecological responses of benthic habitats to altered hydrologic regimes.

}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007\%2Fs10021-014-9829-6}, author = {Tyler J. Kohler and Lee F. Stanish and Stenven Crisp and Koch, J. and Liptzin, D. and Baeseman, J. and Diane M. McKnight} } @article {3712, title = {Potential for real-time understanding of coupled hydrologic and biogeochemical processes in stream ecosystems: Future integration of telemetered data with process models for glacial meltwater streams}, journal = {Water Resources Research}, volume = {51}, year = {2015}, month = {08/2015}, pages = {6725 - 6738}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.1002/2015WR017618}, url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/2015WR017618http://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002\%2F2015WR017618}, author = {Diane M. McKnight and Cozzetto, K and Cullis, James D.S. and Michael N. Gooseff and Chris Jaros and Koch, J. and W. Berry Lyons and Neupauer, R. M. and Wlostowski, Adam} } @article {1129, title = {Simulating unsteady flow, anabranching, and hyporheic dynamics in a glacial meltwater stream using a coupled surface water routing and groundwater flow model}, journal = {Water Resources Research}, volume = {47}, year = {2011}, month = {2011}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.1029/2010WR009508}, author = {Koch, J. and Diane M. McKnight and Neupauer, R. M.} } @article {4816, title = {Effect of unsteady flow on nitrate loss in an oligotrophic, glacial meltwater stream}, journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research}, volume = {115}, year = {2010}, month = {03/2010}, pages = {G01001}, abstract = {

The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are among the coldest, driest ecosystems on Earth. During the austral summer, glacial meltwater supports cyanobacterial mat communities in some streams, but they are not ubiquitous. We conducted a nitrate (NO3-) enrichment tracer injection in Huey Creek to quantify NO3- loss in a Dry Valley stream where algal mats would not obscure hyporheic microbial processes. Unsteady streamflow led to diel variability in the tracer concentration and in surface/subsurface water and solute exchange. Subsequently, concentrations of NO3-, nitrite (NO2-), ammonium (NH4+), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) varied significantly during the injection, with a net loss of NO3-, NO2-, and DOC, and production of nitrous oxide. These mass changes within a reach were often coincident with high streamflows. Reactivity also coincided with the highest DOC concentrations, suggesting that DOC is the primary limitation to heterotrophic microbial activity in the stream. Together, streamflow and DOC availability create the hot spots and hot moments that dominate NO3- reactivity and removal in this polar desert ecosystem. The combination of spatially and temporally variable hyporheic dynamics and solute availability underscore the limitations of common nutrient uptake metrics and transient storage models when unsteady flow conditions exist.

}, keywords = {LTER-MCM, Antarctica, hot spots/hot moments, hyporheic exchange, nitrogen cycling, unsteady flow}, doi = {10.1029/2009JG001030}, url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1029/2009JG001030}, author = {Koch, J. and Diane M. McKnight and Baeseman, J.} } @phdthesis {4190, title = {Hydrologic and biogeochemical implications of flooding in two catchments underlain by continuous permafrost}, volume = {Ph.D.}, year = {2010}, month = {2010}, pages = {206}, school = {University of Colorado}, type = {doctoral}, address = {Boulder, CO}, abstract = {

Flooding is a critical driver of ecosystem productivity. By rapidly increasing stream stage and velocity, floods mix water and solutes from the stream, hyporheic zone, and floodplains/riparian areas. Such mixing may spur biogeochemical activity. In catchments underlain by permafrost, flooding is more common due to both the potential for rapid ice melting and minimal storage potential in frozen soils. High latitude environments are often underlain by permafrost and are also areas of biogeochemical interest, due to large stores of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), and the potential for rapid cycling. The increased complexity in groundwater/surface water hydrology during floods requires rigorous hydrologic analysis before biogeochemical trends can be correctly interpreted. This research aims to accurately quantify the hydrology and biogeochemical cycling of C and N in two high-latitude catchments utilizing stream tracer additions, synoptic sampling, and surface water (sw), groundwater (gw), and coupled sw/gw flow models.

Two catchments, in Alaska and Antarctica represent very different ecosystems, both characterized by continuous permafrost and shallow aquifers. In Antarctica, coupled surface water/groundwater flow modeling and tracer additions identify sources of DOC (dissolved organic carbon) and locations of denitrification. Mass balance calculations identify heightened water/sediment interactions at high flows, and increased C and N uptake when solutes return to the stream during low flows. In Alaska, discharge correlates to DOC and nitrate concentrations, indicating leaching and flushing of organic material from the hillslope during high discharge, with a greater potential for microbial processing of this organic material during low flows. Multiple tracer additions demonstrate a seasonal trend, with the greatest C and N uptake early in the summer, potentially related to shallower flowpaths.

Differences between discharge, flooding, and C and N cycling in these two catchments indicate the importance of stream size and morphology. Using tracer dilution and major ion and uranium isotope chemistry, we identify preferential flow near and beneath the stream, indicating erosion of the stream bed via soil piping and thermokarsting. We propose that channel evolution will lead to decreased stream/catchment interactions and subsequently decreased C and N uptake potential in these high-latitude catchments.

}, keywords = {LTER-MCM, carbon, catchments, earth sciences, flooding, nitrogen, permafrost, surface-groundwater interactions}, url = {https://search.proquest.com/docview/839008865}, author = {Koch, J. and Diane M. McKnight} }