02394nas a2200301 4500008004100000022001400041245012200055210006900177260001200246300001100258490000800269520142600277653001501703653002401718653001901742653001901761653003401780653002301814100002801837700002001865700002501885700002401910700002201934700002101956700001901977700002101996856007502017 2025 eng d a0012-965800aRemote sensing for species distribution models: An illustration from a sentinel taxon of the world's driest ecosystem0 aRemote sensing for species distribution models An illustration f c02/2025 ae700350 v1063 a

In situ observed data are commonly used as species occurrence response variables in species distribution models. However, the use of remotely observed data from high-resolution multispectral remote-sensing images as a source of presence/absence data for species distribution models remains under-developed. Here, we describe an ensemble species distribution model of black microbial mats (Nostoc spp.) using presence/absence points derived from the unmixing of 4-m resolution WorldView-2 and WorldView-3 images in the Lake Fryxell basin region of Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Environmental and topographical characteristics such as soil moisture, snow, elevation, slope, and aspect were used as predictor variables in our models. We demonstrate that we can build and run ensemble species distribution models using both dependent and independent variables derived from remote-sensing data to generate spatially explicit habitat suitability maps. Snow and soil moisture were found to be the most important variables accounting for about 80% of the variation in the distribution of black mats throughout the Fryxell basin. This study highlights the potential contribution of high-resolution remote-sensing to species distribution modeling and informs new studies incorporating remotely derived species occurrences in species distribution models, especially in remote areas where access to in situ data is often limited.

10aAntarctica10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10amicrobial mats10aremote sensing10aspecies distribution modeling10aspecies occurrence1 aThapa‐Magar, Khum, B.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aLevy, Joseph, S.1 aKnightly, Paul1 aPower, Sarah, N. uhttps://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecy.7003502098nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001400041245014900055210006900204260001200273490000700285520143900292100002101731700002201752700002501774700002001799700002601819856007101845 2024 eng d a1523-043000aAn analysis of McMurdo Dry Valleys’ lotic habitats within Antarctica’s protected area network and addressing gaps in biodiversity protection0 aanalysis of McMurdo Dry Valleys lotic habitats within Antarctica c08/20240 v563 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica’s largest ice-free region, hosts unique terrestrial ecosystems, with biodiversity concentrated in the aquatic environments and surrounding soils. Despite being a scientific hub, the creation of the MDV Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) made significant steps toward protecting the environment from degradation from human usage. However, with sustained human presence within the MDV, increasing human activity across Antarctica, and aquatic ecosystems subject to environmental change, the effectiveness of current protections for biodiversity conservation requires evaluation. This study employs spatial analysis of MDV protected areas, streams, lakes, research camps, and tourist sites to assess the robustness of current protections, identify underprotected areas, and outline steps for future protection. Within the MDV ASMA, five smaller Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) exist. Only two ASPAs contain streams, and only one with a full hydrologic catchment. With roughly 6% of the lotic habitat area protected by ASPAs, the MDV fall short of global goals for freshwater protection. Past successful management of the MDV shows the effectiveness of collaboration and early action, and amongst calls for ASPA network expansion and restructuring, the MDV has the opportunity to be at the forefront again and increase the protection of Antarctic aquatic ecosystems.

1 aWright, Anna, T.1 aBrooks, Cassandra1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aChignell, Stephen, M. uhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15230430.2024.237517602764nas a2200253 4500008004100000022001400041245011400055210006900169260001200238300001100250490000700261520197300268653001502241653002102256653002702277653002202304653001502326653001302341100002102354700002502375700002402400700002402424856006202448 2024 eng d a0885-608700aThe hydrologic and geochemical contributions from snow to streamflow in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica0 ahydrologic and geochemical contributions from snow to streamflow c06/2024 ae151950 v383 a

The glacial meltwater streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs), Antarctica only flow during the austral summer and contain abundant algal mats which grow at the onset of flow. Their relative abundance in stream channels of this polar desert make the streams biogeochemical hot spots. The MDVs receive minimal precipitation as snow, which is redistributed by wind and deposited in distinct locations, some of which become persistent snow patches each year. Previous studies identified that MDV streamflow comes from a combination of glacier ice and snow, although snow was assumed to contribute little to the overall water budget. This study uses a combination of satellite imagery, terrain analysis, and field measurements to determine where snow patches accumulate and persist across MDV watersheds, and to quantify the potential hydrologic and biogeochemical contributions of snow patches to streams. Watersheds near the coast have the highest snow-covered area and longest snow persistence. Many of these snow patches accumulate within the stream channels, which results in the potential to contribute to streamflow. During the summer of 2021–2022, stream channel snow patches had the potential to contribute anywhere between <1% and 90% of the total annual discharge in Lake Fryxell Basin streams, and may increase with different hydrometeorological conditions. On average the potential inputs from snow patches to streamflow was between 12% and 25% of the annual discharge during the 2021–2022 season, as determined by snow area and SWE. Snow patches in the majority of the watersheds had higher nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations than stream water, and six streams contained snow with higher N:P ratios than the average N:P in the stream water. This suggests that if such patches melt early in the summer, these nutrient and water inputs could occur at the right time and stoichiometry to be crucial for early season algal mat growth.

10aAntarctica10aephemeral stream10apolar desert hydrology10arunoff generation10asnow patch10asnowmelt1 aWright, Anna, T.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/hyp.1519502587nas a2200313 4500008004100000022001400041245012700055210006900182260001200251300001100263520145800274653001701732653001401749653000801763653001901771653001501790100002301805700001801828700001501846700002401861700002501885700003301910700002901943700001701972700002201989700002102011700002102032856022002053 2024 eng d a0954-102000aMcMurdo Dry Valley lake edge ‘moats’: The ecological intersection between terrestrial and aquatic polar desert habitat0 aMcMurdo Dry Valley lake edge moats The ecological intersection b c04/2024 a1 - 173 a

Aquatic ecosystems - lakes, ponds and streams - are hotspots of biodiversity in the cold and arid environment of Continental Antarctica. Environmental change is expected to increasingly alter Antarctic aquatic ecosystems and modify the physical characteristics and interactions within the habitats that they support. Here, we describe physical and biological features of the peripheral ‘moat’ of a closed-basin Antarctic lake. These moats mediate connectivity amongst streams, lake and soils. We highlight the cyclical moat transition from a frozen winter state to an active open-water summer system, through refreeze as winter returns. Summer melting begins at the lakebed, initially creating an ice-constrained lens of liquid water in November, which swiftly progresses upwards, creating open water in December. Conversely, freezing progresses slowly from the water surface downwards, with water at 1 m bottom depth remaining liquid until May. Moats support productive, diverse benthic communities that are taxonomically distinct from those under the adjacent permanent lake ice. We show how ion ratios suggest that summer exchange occurs amongst moats, streams, soils and sub-ice lake water, perhaps facilitated by within-moat density-driven convection. Moats occupy a small but dynamic area of lake habitat, are disproportionately affected by recent lake-level rises and may thus be particularly vulnerable to hydrological change.

10aconnectivity10aecosystem10aice10amicrobial mats10atransition1 aStone, Michael, S.1 aDevlin, Shawn1 aHawes, Ian1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M.1 aAdams, Byron1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aDoran, Peter, T. uhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antarctic-science/article/mcmurdo-dry-valley-lake-edge-moats-the-ecological-intersection-between-terrestrial-and-aquatic-polar-desert-habitats/31D94DD51E651603482A3AE6E8A52A5702186nas a2200313 4500008004100000022001400041245009000055210006900145260001200214300001800226490000700244520123000251653002201481653002401503653002001527653001701547653001501564100002201579700002101601700002101622700002201643700002201665700002401687700002101711700002501732700002101757700002501778856006901803 2024 eng d a2328-427700aResponse of a terrestrial polar ecosystem to the March 2022 Antarctic weather anomaly0 aResponse of a terrestrial polar ecosystem to the March 2022 Anta c08/2024 ae2023EF0043060 v123 a

Record high temperatures were documented in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, on 18 March 2022, exceeding average temperatures for that day by nearly 30°C. Satellite imagery and stream gage measurements indicate that surface wetting coincided with this warming more than 2 months after peak summer thaw and likely exceeded thresholds for rehydration and activation of resident organisms that typically survive the cold and dry conditions of the polar fall in a freeze-dried state. This weather event is notable in both the timing and magnitude of the warming and wetting when temperatures exceeded 0°C at a time when biological communities and streams have typically entered a persistent frozen state. Such events may be a harbinger of future climate conditions characterized by warmer temperatures and greater thaw in this region of Antarctica, which could influence the distribution, activity, and abundance of sentinel taxa. Here we describe the ecosystem responses to this weather anomaly reporting on meteorological and hydrological measurements across the region and on later biological observations from Canada Stream, one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems within the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

10aatmospheric river10aclimate variability10aextreme weather10apolar desert10asoil biota1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aAdams, Byron, J.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aDugan, Hilary, A.1 aMyers, Krista, F.1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aPower, Sarah, N.1 aSnyder, Meredith, D.1 aWright, Anna, T.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023EF00430602923nas a2200181 4500008004100000245015400041210006900195260004800264300000700312490000900319520225400328653002202582653001502604653002902619100002002648700002502668856004802693 2023 eng d00aCharacterizing velocity gradients in the McMurdo Dry Valleys with high-resolution optical imagery, feature-tracking methods, and in situ observations0 aCharacterizing velocity gradients in the McMurdo Dry Valleys wit aBoulder, CObUniversity of Colorado Boulder a430 vM.S.3 a

In the water-limited McMurdo Dry Valleys – the largest ice-free region of Antarctica – glaciers are the only significant source of meltwater to ephemeral streams and ecosystems. Understanding changes to the flow of these glaciers, along with characterizing how they are growing or shrinking, can elucidate how these physical controls on the region’s hydrology and ecology are responding to changing environmental conditions. Because in situ observations are difficult to collect and discrete by nature, various computer vision techniques are increasingly used to track glacier surface velocities from satellite optical and radar datasets. The most common of these techniques is image cross-correlation in the form of template matching or particle image velocimetry (PIV). Although exact methods vary, generally, cross-correlation works by co-registering temporally offset image pairs using similarity in pixel values resulting from distinctive surface features, such as crevasses, large sastrugi and snow dunes. When surface features are well-resolved with respect to an image pair’s spatial resolution, and well-preserved relative to its temporal resolution, velocity estimates can have sub-pixel precision. However, when glaciers lack meaningful surface texture – a common occurrence for the low-gradient, frozen-bed glaciers of the McMurdo Dry Valleys – cross correlation performs poorly. Using high-resolution (sub-meter per pixel) imagery can help derive texture from minor cracks and small erratics on otherwise smooth, uncrevassed surfaces, but additional adaptations are needed to improve cross correlation performance. These include additional filtering and histogram stretching steps, along with informed search area windows. Velocity estimates derived from this workflow are shown to be comparable to recorded ranges, in situ measurements, and manual feature tracking, but provide a much higher spatial and temporal resolution dataset. Alongside contemporaneous analyses of glacier mass balance, terminal thickness and surface roughness, these glacier velocity data help characterize how glaciers are dynamically evolving in response to environmental conditions in the Dry Valleys.

10across correlation10acryosphere10aglacier surface velocity1 aVanderwilt, Mia1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://www.proquest.com/docview/291637751903072nas a2200253 4500008004100000022001400041245011200055210006900167260001200236490000700248520227400255653001902529653001702548653002102565653002002586653001902606653001502625100002202640700002402662700002502686700002402711700002602735856005702761 2023 eng d a2161-954900aDifferentiating physical and biological storage of nitrogen along an intermittent Antarctic stream corridor0 aDifferentiating physical and biological storage of nitrogen alon c09/20230 v423 a

In many temperate streams, biological uptake of N acts to attenuate the transport of excess N from allochthonous anthropogenic imports. Relatively few studies have determined how this N uptake relates to the magnitude of physical vs. biological N storage in the stream corridor, especially for intermittent systems where allochthonous N imports are often low and N transport may only occur during brief periods of streamflow. Glacial meltwater streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica provide an excellent setting to quantify autochthonous N cycling and storage processes supported by abundant algal mats and well-connected hyporheic zones. We combined historic point-scale sediment and periphyton sample datasets with remote sensing-based modeling of periphyton coverage to estimate how much N was stored in periphyton biomass and the hyporheic zone of a 5-km long McMurdo Dry Valley stream corridor (>100,000 m2). We contextualized these N storage calculations by estimating the magnitude of annual N imports to and exports from the stream corridor based on >2 decades of streamflow and surface water data, source glacier ice cores and meltwater data, and past studies of local aeolian deposition and biological N fixation rates. We found that in this highly oligotrophic system, stream corridor-scale N storage was ~1000x that of total annual N import or export fluxes. More than 90% of this temporarily stored N was autochthonous organic matter in the shallow (<10 cm) hyporheic zone, which acts as a reservoir that sustains N availability in the water column. Despite its location in a polar desert devoid of higher-order vegetation, area-normalized N storage (~40 g N/m2) was greater than that reported for streams at lower latitudes (~1–22 g N/m2). We also demonstrated that NH4+ sorption to stream sediment may be an important physicochemical N storage mechanism that responds to short-term fluctuations in streamflow and governs the mobility of inorganic N. Altogether, this research illustrates the importance of quantifying N storage within stream corridors when evaluating the significance of internal cycling and physical retention processes that modulate N availability.

10ahyporheic zone10aMcMurdo LTER10anitrogen cycling10anutrient budget10aorganic matter10aperiphyton1 aSingley, Joel, G.1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aHinckley, Eve-Lyn, S. uhttps://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/72567602170nas a2200145 4500008004100000022001400041245013800055210006900193260001200262520161600274100002401890700002401914700002501938856006101963 2023 eng d a2169-900300aSpatial patterns of major ions and their relationship to sediment concentration in near surface glacier ice, Taylor Valley Antarctica0 aSpatial patterns of major ions and their relationship to sedimen c03/20243 a

Glaciers form the headwaters of many watersheds and, in arid polar environments, can provide the vast majority of water to downstream systems. Headwater watersheds are critically important for setting the chemistry for downstream systems, yet we know comparatively little about the patterns and processes that generate the geochemical signature of meltwater on glacier surfaces. Here, we focus on glaciers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, the largest ice-free area on the continent, characterized by alpine glaciers flowing into broad, rocky valleys. We examine patterns from the coast inland, accumulation to ablation zones, laterally across individual glaciers, and through the zone of meltwater generation. We directly compare solute to sediment concentrations, a major source of dissolved solutes. Our findings agree with previous work that the overall meltwater chemistry of a given glacier is a product local sediment sources and of regional wind patterns: foehn winds moving from the ice sheet to the coast and on-shore sea breezes. Further, these patterns hold across an individual glacier. Finally, we find that the ice chemistry and sediment profiles reflect freeze-thaw and melt processes that occur at depth. This indicates that the transport and weathering of sediment in the ice profile likely has a strong influence on supra- and proglacial stream chemistry. This new understanding strengthens connections between physical and geochemical processes in cold-based polar glacier environments and helps us better understand the processes driving landscape and ecosystem connectivity.

1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022JF00698002219nas a2200349 4500008004100000022001400041245012300055210006900178260001200247520113200259653000901391653001901400653001601419653001201435653000901447653001301456100002001469700002501489700001601514700002501530700002101555700001701576700002501593700002501618700002101643700002501664700002601689700002201715700002301737700001801760856009101778 2022 eng d a0006-356800aCross-site comparisons of dryland ecosystem response to climate change in the US Long-Term Ecological Research Network0 aCrosssite comparisons of dryland ecosystem response to climate c c08/20223 a

Long-term observations and experiments in diverse drylands reveal how ecosystems and services are responding to climate change. To develop generalities about climate change impacts at dryland sites, we compared broadscale patterns in climate and synthesized primary production responses among the eight terrestrial, nonforested sites of the United States Long-Term Ecological Research (US LTER) Network located in temperate (Southwest and Midwest) and polar (Arctic and Antarctic) regions. All sites experienced warming in recent decades, whereas drought varied regionally with multidecadal phases. Multiple years of wet or dry conditions had larger effects than single years on primary production. Droughts, floods, and wildfires altered resource availability and restructured plant communities, with greater impacts on primary production than warming alone. During severe regional droughts, air pollution from wildfire and dust events peaked. Studies at US LTER drylands over more than 40 years demonstrate reciprocal links and feedbacks among dryland ecosystems, climate-driven disturbance events, and climate change.

10aANPP10aclimate change10aDisturbance10adrought10aLTER10awildfire1 aHudson, Amy, R.1 aPeters, Debra, P. C.1 aBlair, J.M.1 aChilders, Daniel, L.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aGeil, Kerrie1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aGross, Katherine, L.1 aHaddad, Nick, M.1 aPastore, Melissa, A.1 aRudgers, Jennifer, A.1 aSala, Osvaldo, E.1 aSeabloom, Eric, W.1 aShaver, Gaius uhttps://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biab134/665484002474nas a2200229 4500008004100000245007500041210006900116260001200185300001800197490000800215520178800223653001502011653001602026653002802042653000802070653002202078653000902100100002502109700002502134700002402159856006102183 2022 eng d00aDissolved organic carbon chemostasis in Antarctic polar desert streams0 aDissolved organic carbon chemostasis in Antarctic polar desert s c07/2022 ae2021JG0066490 v1273 a

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a key variable impacting stream biogeochemical processes. The relationship between DOC concentration (C) and stream discharge (q) can elucidate spatial and temporal DOC source dynamics in watersheds. In the ephemeral glacial meltwater streams of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica, the C-q relationship has been applied to dissolved inorganic nitrogen and weathering solutes including silica, which all exhibit chemostatic C-q behavior; but DOC-q dynamics have not been studied. DOC concentrations here are low compared to temperate streams, in the range of 0.1-2 mg C l-1, and their chemical signal clearly indicates derivation from microbial biomass (benthic mats and hyporheic biofilm). To investigate whether the DOC generation rate from these autochthonous organic matter pools was sufficient to maintain chemostasis for DOC, despite these streams' large diel and interannual fluctuations in discharge, we fit the long-term DOC-q data to a power law and an advection-reaction model. Model outputs and coefficients of variation characterize the DOC-q relationship as chemostatic for several MDV streams. We propose a conceptual model in which hyporheic carbon storage, hyporheic exchange rates, and net DOC generation rates are key interacting components that enable chemostatic DOC-q behavior in MDV streams. This model clarifies the role of autochthonous carbon stores in maintaining DOC chemostasis and may be useful for examining these relationships in temperate systems, which typically have larger sources of bioavailable autochthonous organic carbon than MDV streams but where this autochthonous signal could be masked by a stronger allochthonous contribution.

10aAntarctica10achemostasis10aconcentration-discharge10aDOC10aephemeral streams10aLTER1 aTorrens, Christa, L.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021JG00664902885nas a2200241 4500008004100000245006300041210006200104260004100166300001200207520209300219653003102312653003602343653002402379653001902403653002402422100001602446700001702462700002302479700001702502700002402519700002502543856007502568 2021 eng d00aChemical weathering in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aChemical weathering in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctica aHoboken, NJbJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc. a205-2163 a

While chemical weathering has not always been considered an active process in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica, long‐term geochemical and hydrological investigations have provided an overall better understanding of chemical weathering in this polar desert environment. Liquid water on the landscape is limited to stream channels as well as shallow subsurface melt features, as there is no overland flow. Stream total suspended sediment loads are low, with the sources of sediment from stream channels, aeolian input, and/or from the surfaces of glaciers. MDV soils contain high concentrations of soluble salts with little clay material, but since absent of water, these soils are a minimal location of chemical weathering. Hyporheic zones exchange water during streamflow, and these areas control the stream geochemistry over various temporal scales. Hyporheic zones promote rapid aluminosilicate weathering by moving dilute glacial meltwater into intimate contact with sediment surfaces. Rapid weathering of the aluminosilicates in the streambed and hyporheic zones is the most plausible explanation for chemostasis observed in these streams, indicating that little to no catchment processes are necessary to explain the observed chemostasis in the MDV. Shallow subsurface waters with distinct geochemical signatures have much higher dissolved Si concentrations than the stream waters and indicate that they are responsible for enhanced aluminosilicate weathering in this polar desert environment. The dissolution of CaCO3 is also a major process in the hyporheic zones as generally the streams are unsaturated with respect to calcite. Cation‐exchange reactions are also important in the evolution from Na‐Cl brines to Ca‐Cl brines within the soil column, while authigenic CaCO3 can both dissolve and precipitate depending on the condition of the system. Recently, stream channel landscapes are changing due to the melting of buried ice, creating thermokarst and water track features, resulting in a sediment and solute influx to the stream.

10aaluminosilicate weathering10aCaCO3 dissolution/precipitation10achemical weathering10ahyporheic zone10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys1 aHunt, Allen1 aEgli, Markus1 aFaybishenko, Boris1 aLyons, Berry1 aLeslie, Deborah, L.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781119563952.ch1104166nas a2200565 4500008004100000022001400041245007900055210006900134260001200203300001100215490000700226520245300233653001802686653002702704653001902731653001902750653001202769653001202781653001502793653008902808653002002897100002302917700002502940700002602965700002702991700002103018700002503039700001703064700002203081700002903103700002603132700002403158700002603182700002403208700002103232700001603253700002703269700002403296700002303320700002203343700002403365700002303389700001503412700002203427700002103449700002203470700002603492700002403518856005803542 2021 eng d a2150-892500aConnectivity: Insights from the U.S. Long Term Ecological Research Network0 aConnectivity Insights from the US Long Term Ecological Research  c05/2021 ae034320 v123 a

Ecosystems across the United States are changing in complex and surprising ways. Ongoing demand for critical ecosystem services requires an understanding of the populations and communities in these ecosystems in the future. This paper represents a synthesis effort of the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network addressing the core research area of “populations and communities.” The objective of this effort was to show the importance of long-term data collection and experiments for addressing the hardest questions in scientific ecology that have significant implications for environmental policy and management. Each LTER site developed at least one compelling case study about what their site could look like in 50–100 yr as human and environmental drivers influencing specific ecosystems change. As the case studies were prepared, five themes emerged, and the studies were grouped into papers in this LTER Futures Special Feature addressing state change, connectivity, resilience, time lags, and cascading effects. This paper addresses the “connectivity” theme and has examples from the Phoenix (urban), Niwot Ridge (alpine tundra), McMurdo Dry Valleys (polar desert), Plum Island (coastal), Santa Barbara Coastal (coastal), and Jornada (arid grassland and shrubland) sites. Connectivity has multiple dimensions, ranging from multi-scalar interactions in space to complex interactions over time that govern the transport of materials and the distribution and movement of organisms. The case studies presented here range widely, showing how land-use legacies interact with climate to alter the structure and function of arid ecosystems and flows of resources and organisms in Antarctic polar desert, alpine, urban, and coastal marine ecosystems. Long-term ecological research demonstrates that connectivity can, in some circumstances, sustain valuable ecosystem functions, such as the persistence of foundation species and their associated biodiversity or, it can be an agent of state change, as when it increases wind and water erosion. Increased connectivity due to warming can also lead to species range expansions or contractions and the introduction of undesirable species. Continued long-term studies are essential for addressing the complexities of connectivity. The diversity of ecosystems within the LTER network is a strong platform for these studies.

10aalpine tundra10aAntarctic polar desert10aarid grassland10aarid shrubland10acoastal10aestuary10asalt marsh10aSpecial Feature: Forecasting Earth’s Ecosystems with Long-Term Ecological Research10aurban ecosystem1 aIwaniec, David, M.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aSuding, Katharine, N.1 aJohnson, David, Samuel1 aReed, Daniel, C.1 aPeters, Debra, P. C.1 aAdams, Byron1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aBestelmeyer, Brandon, T.1 aCastorani, Max, C. N.1 aCook, Elizabeth, M.1 aDavidson, Melissa, J.1 aGroffman, Peter, M.1 aHanan, Niall, P.1 aHuenneke, L1 aJohnson, Pieter, T. J.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aMiller, Robert, J.1 aOkin, Gregory, S.1 aPreston, Daniel, L.1 aRassweiler, Andrew1 aRay, Chris1 aSala, Osvaldo, E.1 aSchooley, Robert1 aSeastedt, Timothy1 aSpasojevic, Marko, J.1 aVivoni, Enrique, R. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.343202111nas a2200205 4500008004100000245010700041210006900148260001200217300001600229490000700245520142400252100002401676700002201700700002501722700002101747700002101768700002001789700002501809856007101834 2021 eng d00aCounting carbon: Quantifying biomass in the McMurdo Dry Valleys through orbital and field observations0 aCounting carbon Quantifying biomass in the McMurdo Dry Valleys t c10/2021 a8597 - 86230 v423 a

We use correlative field studies and high-resolution multispectral remote sensing data from the WorldView-2 instrument to estimate the abundance of photosynthetically active biomass (photoautotrophs consisting primarily of microbial mats and mosses) in Canada Stream in Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica. In situ field investigations were performed to (1) acquire ground validation targets for atmospherically correcting satellite imagery, (2) derive spectra of “pure” geologic and biological endmembers, (3) estimate photoautotroph cover from remote sensing data, and (4) convert these coverage estimates to biomass using data collected in the field. Our results suggest that, on the morning of 12 December 2018, the Canada Stream system contained more than 3,800 kg of photosynthetically active carbon. Extrapolating our unmixing results to the entirety of the Fryxell basin of Taylor Valley, Antarctica, we model the presence of more than 750,000 kg of photosynthetically active carbon across the landscape and carbon fixation rates roughly equivalent to five hectares of tropical rainforest. The ability to spatially and temporally quantify the amount of photosynthetically active biomass using remote sensing data in the MDV of Antarctica is a revolutionary development that will help elucidate the ecological drivers and environmental responses in this cold desert landscape.

1 aSalvatore, Mark, R.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aBorges, Schuyler, R.1 aPower, Sarah, N.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01431161.2021.198155902809nas a2200337 4500008004100000245012000041210006900161260001200230300001800242490000800260520168500268653002201953653002001975653004901995653001902044653001202063653004302075653001902118653002402137653002102161653003102182100002102213700002402234700002202258700002402280700002402304700002502328700002402353700002502377856006902402 2021 eng d00aDiatoms in hyporheic sediments trace organic matter retention and processing in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aDiatoms in hyporheic sediments trace organic matter retention an c02/2021 ae2020JG0060970 v1263 a

In low‐nutrient streams in cold and arid ecosystems, the spiraling of autochthonous particulate organic matter (POM) may provide important nutrient subsidies downstream. Because of its lability and the spatial heterogeneity of processing in hyporheic sediments, the downstream transport and fate of autochthonous POM can be difficult to trace. In Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valley (MDV) streams, any POM retained in the hyporheic zone is expected to be derived from surface microbial mats that contain diatoms with long‐lasting silica frustules. We tested whether diatom frustules can be used to trace the retention of autochthonous POM in the hyporheic zone and whether certain geomorphic locations promote this process. The accumulation of diatom frustules in hyporheic sediments, measured as biogenic silica, was correlated with loss‐on‐ignition organic matter and sorbed ammonium, suggesting that diatoms can be used to identify locations where POM has been retained and processed over long timescales, regardless of whether the POM remains intact. In addition, by modeling the upstream sources of hyporheic diatom assemblages, we found that POM was predominantly derived from N‐fixing microbial mats of the genus Nostoc. In terms of spatial variability, we conclude that the hyporheic sediments adjacent to the stream channel that are regularly inundated by daily flood pulses are where the most POM has been retained over long timescales. Autochthonous POM is retained in hyporheic zones of low‐nutrient streams beyond the MDVs, and we suggest that biogenic silica and diatom composition can be used to identify locations where this transfer is most prevalent.

10abenthic processes10abiogenic silica10abiogeochemical cycles processes and modeling10acarbon cycling10adiatoms10agroundwater/surface water interactions10ahyporheic zone10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10anitrogen cycling10aparticulate organic matter1 aHeindel, Ruth, C1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aSingley, Joel, G.1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aLukkari, Braeden, M.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020JG00609701860nas a2200205 4500008004100000022001400041245015300055210006900208260001200277520112000289100002201409700002001431700002001451700002501471700001701496700002401513700002501537700002401562856006801586 2021 eng d a2378-224200aFrom the Heroic Age to today: What diatoms from Shackleton's Nimrod expedition can tell us about the ecological trajectory of Antarctic ponds0 aFrom the Heroic Age to today What diatoms from Shackletons iNimr c07/20213 a

Biological invasion and environmental change pose major threats to ecosystems. While long-term ecological change is commonly evaluated through sediment cores in lakes, it is generally not feasible for smaller ponds, and spatial resolution is limited. Here, we analyze pond diatom communities collected during Shackleton's Nimrod expedition at Cape Royds, Antarctica, to compare with the same waterbodies a century later. We find historical samples to be almost identical to modern counterparts, and provide no evidence of exotic introductions despite increasing human activity. However, a shift occurred in the pond nearest Shackleton's hut, Pony Lake, which was dominated by Luticola muticopsis a century ago, and was replaced by Craspedostauros laevissimus. Both are endemic species previously and currently present at Cape Royds, and we hypothesize that a shift in conductivity accompanying changing precipitation patterns may be responsible. Collectively, these results provide important data for assessing human and climate impacts among Antarctic lacustrine habitats.

1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aKopalová, Kateřina1 aCox, Aneliya1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lol2.1020002835nas a2200217 4500008004100000245010200041210006900143260005400212490000900266520215600275653001502431653001002446653001602456653001502472653001402487653001202501653000902513100002202522700002502544856004802569 2021 eng d00aHydrologic response to foehn winds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica0 aHydrologic response to foehn winds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys So aBoulder, CObUniversity of Colorado Boulderc20200 vM.S.3 a

In the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs), foehn winds are a principal vector of landscape connectivity that facilitate movement of materials between glaciers, streams, soils, lakes and other parts of the ecosystem. While previous publications show that turbulent, warm and dry foehn winds indirectly relate to an increase in lake level rise via an increase in degree days above freezing (DDAF), the direct quantified impact of foehn winds to streamflow and lake level rise remains unclear. The MDVs are the largest ice-free region of Antarctica, which experience minimal precipitation. Valley bottoms contain permanently ice-covered closed basin lakes filled with meltwater from outlet glaciers via stream channels. In Taylor Valley, several meteorological stations and lake monitoring stations record average measurements of weather conditions and lake conditions on 15 to 20-minute intervals. In this thesis, the meteorological definition of foehn winds is refined and hydrologic response to foehn winds is evaluated. During the austral summer streamflow season (November - February), foehn winds are predicted to increase meltwater generation and closed-basin lake level rise. Past publications have shown that foehn wind events contribute to lake ice sublimation year-round, whereas melt does not typically occur in nonsummer months. Analysis of non-summer lake ice ablation utilizing recent lake stage and ablation data is also explored herein. Although a significant correlation was not found, summer foehn winds appear to promote above average daily lake level rise given sufficient air temperatures. Daily average lake level rise is greater for longer periods (i.e., 4-day average daily rise > 3-day average daily rise, etc.) indicating that there is at least a 4-day post-foehn impact on lake level rise during the summer. Lake ice ablation in non-summer months is shown to have a significant relationship with increasing foehn wind occurrence and wind-run. Because foehn winds are expected to increase with global warming, these hydrologic relationships aid in predicting the future of the McMurdo Dry Valley ecosystem in a warming world.

10aAntarctica10afoehn10afoehn winds10ahydrologic10akatabatic10aMcMurdo10awind1 aBeane, Samuel, J.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://www.proquest.com/docview/248812693701609nas a2200157 4500008004100000022001400041245012700055210007100182260001200253520103400265100002401299700002501323700002401348700002101372856005801393 2021 eng d a0885-608700aLong‐term shifts in feedbacks among glacier surface change, melt generation, and runoff, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aLong‐term shifts in feedbacks among glacier surface change melt  c07/20213 a

Glaciers of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) Antarctica are the main source of streamflow in this polar desert. Because summer air temperatures hover near 0°C small changes in the energy balance strongly affect meltwater generation. Here we demonstrate that increased surface roughness, which alters the turbulent transfer of energy between the ice surface and atmosphere, yields a detectable increase in meltwater runoff. At low elevations on the glaciers, basin-like topography became significantly rougher over 13 years between repeat lidar surveys, yielding greater melt. In contrast, the smoother ice at higher elevation exhibited no detectable change in roughness. We pose a conceptual model of the cycle of glacier surface change as a result of climate forcing whereby glacier surfaces transition from being dominated by sublimation to becoming increasingly melt-dominated, which is reversible under prolonged cool periods. This research advances our understanding of warm season effects on polar glaciers.

1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aHoffman, Matthew uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hyp.1429203417nas a2200193 4500008004100000245006200041210006200103260006200165490000800227520280000235653001503035653001903050653002103069653001203090100002203102700002603124700002503150856004803175 2021 eng d00aStream corridor connectivity controls on nitrogen cycling0 aStream corridor connectivity controls on nitrogen cycling aBoulder, CO, USAbUniversity of Colorado Boulderc05/20210 vPhD3 a

As water flows downstream, it is transported to and from environments that surround the visible stream. Along with surface water, these laterally and vertically connected environments comprise the stream corridor. Stream corridor connectivity influences many ecosystem services, including retention of excess nutrients. The subsurface area where stream water and groundwater mixes—the hyporheic zone—represents one of the most biogeochemically active parts of stream corridors.

The goal of my research is to advance understanding of how connectivity between different parts of a stream corridor controls the availability and retention of nitrogen (N), a nutrient that can limit primary productivity (low-N) and negatively impact water quality (excess N). First, I developed and applied a new machine learning method to objectively characterize the extent and variability of hyporheic exchange in terms of statistically unique functional zones using geophysical data. In applying this method to a benchmark dataset, I found that hyporheic extent does not scale uniformly with streamflow and that changes in the heterogeneity of connectivity differ over small (<10 m) distances. Next, I leveraged the relative simplicity of ephemeral streams of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs), Antarctica, to isolate stream corridor processes that influence the fate of N. Through intensive field sampling campaigns, I found that the hyporheic zone can be a persistent source of N even in this low nutrient environment. Next, I combined historic sample data and remote sensing analysis to estimate how much N is stored in an MDV stream corridor. My results indicate that up to 103 times more N is stored in this system than is exported each year, with most of this storage in the shallow (< 10 cm) hyporheic zone. Lastly, I examined 25 years of data for 10 streams to assess how stream corridor processes control concentration-discharge relationships. I found that in the absence of hillslope connectivity, stream corridor processes alone can maintain chemostasis – relatively small concentration changes with large fluctuations in streamflow – of both geogenic solutes and primary nutrients. My analysis also revealed that solutes subject to greater control by biological processes exhibit more variability within chemostatic relationships than weathering solutes that are only minimally influenced by biota.

Altogether, this research advances understanding of processes that are difficult to measure or are often overlooked in typical studies of temperate stream corridors. My findings provide insight into the surprising ways in which N is mobilized, transformed, and retained due to stream corridor connectivity in intermittent stream systems with few N inputs.

10aAntarctica10ahyporheic zone10anitrogen cycling10astreams1 aSingley, Joel, G.1 aHinckley, Eve-Lyn, S.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://www.proquest.com/docview/257259312703399nas a2200193 4500008004100000245013900041210006900180260005400249490001000303520272200313653001303035653000903048653002403057653001403081653001303095100002403108700002503132856004803157 2020 eng d00aThe effect of sediment on hydrological and biogeochemical connectivity of glaciers within the McMurdo Dry Valley ecosystem, Antarctica0 aeffect of sediment on hydrological and biogeochemical connectivi aBoulder, CObUniversity of Colorado Boulderc20200 vPh.D.3 a

Glaciers are an integral part of polar and alpine landscapes, providing water, inorganic, and organic material subsidies to downstream ecosystems. These subsides regulate downstream temperature, streamflow, and sediment supplies. Warming in high altitude and high latitude environments due to climate change is resulting in rapid and substantial mass loss of glaciers. In order to better predict impacts and future change to glaciers and downstream environments, we endeavor to better understand glacier physical and biogeochemical processes. Glaciers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) of Antarctica are very sensitive to slight changes in the energy balance. Small temperature or solar radiation increases can result in outsize increases in glacier melt, which is the main source of water for the MDV ecosystem. Sediment on the glacier surface is thought to be a key factor driving both melt and biogeochemical cycling on glaciers. This dissertation examines the distribution of sediment on the MDVs glacier surfaces, how it may have driven recent glacier morphological change, and identifies sediment-driven biogeochemical processes on the MDV glaciers. To do so, we carried out field data collection, field- and lab-based nutrient uptake experiments, geospatial analysis, and coupled sediment and energy balance modeling. We find that the glacier surfaces have changed in response to recent warm events by increasing roughness and the density of meltwater channels on the glacier surface. The increase in roughness occurred in already rough areas that serve as collection points for wind- and water-transported sediment. The rough surfaces and sediment have low albedo and can absorb a higher amount of energy, spurring additional melt. The distribution of sediment on the surface and in the top meter of ice is a reflection of patterns of wind deposition and seasonal melt on the glacier. The total amount of sediment in the top meter of ice agrees with previously measured rates of sediment deposition and follows a valley-wide pattern. The depth of the peak sediment concentration in the top meter of ice is a function of the thermal history of the glacier– both summer energy balance and winter sublimation rates. We also find that the biota living in the sediment is capable of removing nutrients from glacier melt water, modulating the amount and form of nutrients delivered to downstream ecosystems. This research clarifies the role of glaciers within the larger MDV ecosystem. It also advances our understanding of surficial glacier melt and biogeochemistry, which can improve predictions of how the functional role of glaciers within their larger ecosystems will evolve due to climate change.

10aglaciers10aLTER10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10ameltwater10asediment1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://www.proquest.com/docview/240827383902368nas a2200229 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120260001200189520162900201653002401830653001301854653002101867653002001888653001401908653002501922100002401947700002501971700002201996700002302018700002402041856007302065 2020 eng d00aNutrient uptake in the supraglacial stream network of an Antarctic glacier0 aNutrient uptake in the supraglacial stream network of an Antarct c08/20203 a

In polar regions, where many glaciers are cold‐based (frozen to their beds), biological communities on the glacier surface can modulate and transform nutrients, controlling downstream delivery. However, it remains unclear whether supraglacial streams are nutrient sinks or sources and the rates of nutrient processing. In order to test this, we conducted tracer‐injections in three supraglacial streams (62 to 123 m long) on Canada Glacier in the Taylor Valley, of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. We conducted a series of additions including: nitrate (N), N + phosphate (P), N+ P + glucose (C), and N+C. In two reaches, N‐only additions resulted in N uptake. The third reach showed net N release during the N‐only addition, but high N uptake in the N+P addition, indicating P‐limitation or N+P co‐limitation. Co‐injecting C did not increase N‐uptake. Additionally, in these systems at low N concentrations the streams can be a net source of nitrogen. We confirmed these findings using laboratory‐based nutrient incubation experiments on sediment collected from stream channels on Canada Glacier and two other glaciers in the Taylor Valley. Together, these results suggest there is active biological processing of nutrients occurring in these supraglacial streams despite low sediment cover, high flow velocities and cold temperatures, modifying the input signals to proglacial streams. As glaciers world‐wide undergo rapid change, these findings further our understanding of how melt generated on glacier surfaces set the initial nutrient signature for subglacial and downstream environments.

10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10anitrogen10anutrient tracers10anutrient uptake10asediments10asupraglacial streams1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aSingley, Joel, G.1 aCohen, Matthew, J.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A. uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2020JG00567903158nas a2200181 4500008004100000245011200041210006900153260001200222300001200234490000700246520256300253100002402816700002502840700002002865700002102885700002202906856004802928 2020 eng d00aThe seasonal evolution of albedo across glaciers and the surrounding landscape of Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aseasonal evolution of albedo across glaciers and the surrounding c03/2020 a769-7880 v143 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) of Antarctica are a polar desert ecosystem consisting of alpine glaciers, ice-covered lakes, streams, and expanses of vegetation-free rocky soil. Because average summer temperatures are close to 0 ∘C, the MDV ecosystem in general, and glacier melt dynamics in particular, are both closely linked to the energy balance. A slight increase in incoming radiation or change in albedo can have large effects on the timing and volume of meltwater. However, the seasonal evolution or spatial variability of albedo in the valleys has yet to fully characterized. In this study, we aim to understand the drivers of landscape albedo change within and across seasons. To do so, a box with a camera, GPS, and shortwave radiometer was hung from a helicopter that flew transects four to five times a season along Taylor Valley. Measurements were repeated over three seasons. These data were coupled with incoming radiation measured at six meteorological stations distributed along the valley to calculate the distribution of albedo across individual glaciers, lakes, and soil surfaces. We hypothesized that albedo would decrease throughout the austral summer with ablation of snow patches and increasing sediment exposure on the glacier and lake surfaces. However, small snow events (<6 mm water equivalent) coupled with ice whitening caused spatial and temporal variability of albedo across the entire landscape. Glaciers frequently followed a pattern of increasing albedo with increasing elevation, as well as increasing albedo moving from east to west laterally across the ablation zone. We suggest that spatial patterns of albedo are a function of landscape morphology trapping snow and sediment, longitudinal gradients in snowfall magnitude, and wind-driven snow redistribution from east to west along the valley. We also compare our albedo measurements to the MODIS albedo product and found that overall the data have reasonable agreement. The mismatch in spatial scale between these two datasets results in variability, which is reduced after a snow event due to albedo following valley-scale gradients of snowfall magnitude. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the spatial and temporal variability in albedo and the close coupling of climate and landscape response. This new understanding of landscape albedo can constrain landscape energy budgets, better predict meltwater generation on from MDV glaciers, and how these ecosystems will respond to changing climate at the landscape scale.

1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMyers, Madeline1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aCross, Julian, M. uhttps://www.the-cryosphere.net/14/769/2020/02639nas a2200301 4500008004100000245008400041210006900125260001200194520169800206653001501904653002101919653002401940653002701964653001301991100002102004700002602025700001702051700001602068700002502084700002502109700001702134700002202151700002302173700002002196700002402216700002402240856007302264 2019 eng d00aThe hydroecology of an ephemeral wetland in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 ahydroecology of an ephemeral wetland in the McMurdo Dry Valleys  c11/20193 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) is a polar desert on the coast of East Antarctica where ephemeral wetlands become hydrologically active during warm and sunny summers when sub‐surface flows are generated from melting snowfields. To understand the structure and function of polar wetland ecosystems, we investigated the hydroecology of one such wetland, the Wormherder Creek wetland, during the warm and sunny summer of 2008 – 2009, when the wetland was hydrologically reactivated. Conservative tracer (LiCl) was injected for a 2‐hour period into a stream above the wetland to determine flow path orientations and hydrologic residence times. Tracer results indicated that surface water is rapidly exchanged with wetland groundwater and wetland residence times may exceed two austral summers. Major ion concentrations were uniform in samples from surface water and shallow groundwater throughout the wetland. Microbial mats in the wetland had high autotrophic index values (the ratios of chlorophyll a [Chl‐a]/ash‐free dry mass [AFDM]), ranging from 9‐38 μg Chl‐a/mg AFDM, indicative of actively photosynthesizing mat communities. The diatom communities in the mats were relatively uniform compared to those in mats from regularly flowing MDV streams, with four endemic and one widespread diatom taxa of the genus Luticola accounting for an average of 86% of the community. These results indicate that the hydrologic characteristics of the wetland contribute to uniform geochemical conditions. In turn, uniform geochemical conditions may explain the high autotrophic index values of the microbial mats and relatively low spatial variation of the diatom community.

10aAntarctica10adesert hydrology10adiatom biodiversity10ahyporheic interactions10awetlands1 aWlostowski, Adam1 aSchulte, Nicholas, O.1 aAdams, Byron1 aBall, Becky1 aEsposito, Rhea, M.M.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aLyons, Berry1 aNielsen, Uffe, N.1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2019JG00515301888nas a2200301 4500008004100000245004500041210004100086260001200127300001300139490000600152520103800158100001501196700002301211700002801234700002401262700002201286700002501308700001401333700002301347700002401370700002201394700002001416700002601436700001601462700002301478700001601501856006901517 2019 eng d00aThe polar regions in a 2°C warmer world0 apolar regions in a 2°C warmer world c12/2019 aeaaw98830 v53 a

Over the past decade, the Arctic has warmed by 0.75°C, far outpacing the global average, while Antarctic tem- peratures have remained comparatively stable. As Earth approaches 2°C warming, the Arctic and Antarctic may reach 4°C and 2°C mean annual warming, and 7°C and 3°C winter warming, respectively. Expected consequences of increased Arctic warming include ongoing loss of land and sea ice, threats to wildlife and traditional human livelihoods, increased methane emissions, and extreme weather at lower latitudes. With low biodiversity, Antarctic ecosystems may be vulnerable to state shifts and species invasions. Land ice loss in both regions will contribute substantially to global sea level rise, with up to 3 m rise possible if certain thresholds are crossed. Mitigation efforts can slow or reduce warming, but without them northern high latitude warming may accelerate in the next two to four decades. International cooperation will be crucial to foreseeing and adapting to expected changes.

1 aPost, Eric1 aAlley, Richard, B.1 aChristensen, Torben, R.1 aMacias-Fauria, Marc1 aForbes, Bruce, C.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aIler, Amy1 aKerby, Jeffrey, T.1 aLaidre, Kristin, L.1 aMann, Michael, E.1 aOlofsson, Johan1 aStroeve, Julienne, C.1 aUlmer, Fran1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aWang, Muyin uhttp://advances.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aaw988302240nas a2200145 4500008004100000245010800041210006900149260001200218490000800230520171900238100002101957700002501978700001702003856007402020 2018 eng d00aSoil Moisture Controls the Thermal Habitat of Active Layer Soils in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aSoil Moisture Controls the Thermal Habitat of Active Layer Soils c01/20180 v1233 a

Antarctic soil ecosystems are strongly controlled by abiotic habitat variables. Regional climate change in the McMurdo Dry Valleys is expected to cause warming over the next century, leading to an increase in frequency of freeze-thaw cycling in the soil habitat. Previous studies show that physiological stress associated with freeze-thaw cycling adversely affects invertebrate populations by decreasing abundance and positively selecting for larger body sizes. However, it remains unclear whether or not climate warming will indeed enhance the frequency of annual freeze-thaw cycling and associated physiological stresses. This research quantifies the frequency, rate, and spatial heterogeneity of active layer freezing to better understand how regional climate change may affect active layer soil thermodynamics, and, in turn, affect soil macroinvertebrate communities. Shallow active layer temperature, specific conductance, and soil moisture were observed along natural wetness gradients. Field observations show that the frequency and rate of freeze events are nonlinearly related to freezable soil moisture (θf). Over a 2 year period, soils at θf < 0.080 m3/m3 experienced between 15 and 35 freeze events and froze rapidly compared to soils with θf > 0.080 m3/m3, which experienced between 2 and 6 freeze events and froze more gradually. A numerical soil thermodynamic model is able to simulate observed freezing rates across a range of θf, reinforcing a well-known causal relationship between soil moisture and active layer freezing dynamics. Findings show that slight increases in soil moisture can potentially offset the effect of climate warming on exacerbating soil freeze-thaw cycling.

1 aWlostowski, Adam1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aAdams, Byron uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2017JG00401801835nas a2200169 4500008004100000245013700041210006900178260001200247300001800259490000700277520122000284100002101504700002501525700002401550700001701574856007401591 2018 eng d00aTransit times and rapid chemical equilibrium explain chemostasis in glacial meltwater streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aTransit times and rapid chemical equilibrium explain chemostasis c12/2018 a13322 - 133310 v453 a

Fluid  transit  time  is  understood  to  be  an  important  control  on  the  shape  of concentration-discharge (C-q) relationships, yet empirical evidence supporting this linkage is limited. We investigated C-q relationships for weathering-derived solutes across seven Antarctic glacial meltwate streams. We hypothesized that (H1) solute fluxes in McMurdo Dry Valley streams are reaction limited so that C-q relationships are characterized by dilution and that (H2) transit time explains between-stream variability in the degree of C-q dilution. Results show that C-q relationships are chemostatic because solute equilibrium times are shorter than stream corridor fluid transit times. Between-stream variability in the efficiency of solute production is positively correlated with transit time, suggesting that transit time is an important control on the solute export regime. These results provide empirical evidence for the controls on weathering-derived C-q relationships and have important implications for Antarctic ecosystems and solute export regimes of watersheds worldwide.

1 aWlostowski, Adam1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aLyons, Berry uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2018GL08036902723nas a2200229 4500008004100000245015600041210006900197260001200266300001600278490000700294520192000301100002202221700002102243700002402264700002002288700002502308700001702333700002402350700002902374700002502403856006502428 2017 eng d00aCharacterizing hyporheic exchange processes using high-frequency electrical conductivity-discharge relationships on subhourly to interannual timescales0 aCharacterizing hyporheic exchange processes using highfrequency  c05/2017 a4124 - 41410 v533 a

Concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationships are often used to quantify source water contributions and biogeochemical processes occurring within catchments, especially during discrete hydrological events. Yet, the interpretation of C-Q hysteresis is often confounded by complexity of the critical zone, such as numerous source waters and hydrochemical nonstationarity. Consequently, researchers must often ignore important runoff pathways and geochemical sources/sinks, especially the hyporheic zone because it lacks a distinct hydrochemical signature. Such simplifications limit efforts to identify processes responsible for the transience of C-Q hysteresis over time. To address these limitations, we leverage the hydrologic simplicity and long-term, high-frequency Q and electrical conductivity (EC) data from streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. In this two end-member system, EC can serve as a proxy for the concentration of solutes derived from the hyporheic zone. We utilize a novel approach to decompose loops into subhysteretic EC-Q dynamics to identify individual mechanisms governing hysteresis across a wide range of timescales. We find that hydrologic and hydraulic processes govern EC response to diel and seasonal Q variability and that the effects of hyporheic mixing processes on C-Q transience differ in short and long streams. We also observe that variable hyporheic turnover rates govern EC-Q patterns at daily to interannual timescales. Last, subhysteretic analysis reveals a period of interannual freshening of glacial meltwater streams related to the effects of unsteady flow on hyporheic exchange. The subhysteretic analysis framework we introduce may be applied more broadly to constrain the processes controlling C-Q transience and advance understanding of catchment evolution. 

1 aSingley, Joel, G.1 aWlostowski, Adam1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aTorrens, Christa, L.1 aJaros, Chris1 aWilson, Colleen, E.1 aHendrickson, Patrick, J.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2016WR019739/full00851nas a2200265 4500008004100000245009100041210006900132260001200201300001400213490000600227100002500233700002200258700001700280700002100297700002400318700001700342700002400359700002100383700002000404700003300424700003100457700002300488700002000511856005400531 2017 eng d00aDecadal ecosystem response to an anomalous melt season in a polar desert in Antarctica0 aDecadal ecosystem response to an anomalous melt season in a pola c09/2017 a1334-13380 v11 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aAdams, Byron1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aLyons, Berry1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aVandegehuchte, Martijn, L.1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aWall, Diana, H. uhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-017-0253-001634nas a2200217 4500008004100000245010200041210006900143260001200212300001400224490000600238520092200244100002401166700002901190700002201219700002101241700002501262700002401287700001301311700002101324856007101345 2017 eng d00aHigh-resolution elevation mapping of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, and surrounding regions0 aHighresolution elevation mapping of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Anta c07/2017 a435 - 4430 v93 a

We present detailed surface elevation measurements for the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica derived from aerial lidar surveys flown in the austral summer of 2014–2015 as part of an effort to understand geomorphic changes over the past decade. Lidar return density varied from 2 to > 10 returns  m−2 with an average of about 5  returns  m−2. Vertical and horizontal accuracies are estimated to be 7 and 3 cm, respectively. In addition to our intended targets, other ad hoc regions were also surveyed including the Pegasus flight facility and two regions on Ross Island, McMurdo Station, Scott Base (and surroundings), and the coastal margin between Cape Royds and Cape Evans. These data are included in this report and data release. The combined data are freely available at https://doi.org/10.5069/G9D50JX3.

1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aFernandez-Diaz, Juan, C.1 aObryk, Maciek, K.1 aLevy, Joseph, S.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aMorin, P1 aShrestha, Ramesh uhttps://www.earth-syst-sci-data.net/9/435/2017/essd-9-435-2017.pdf02751nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001300041245010100054210006900155260001200224300001200236490000800248520216000256100002502416700002102441700002402462700001702486856006602503 2017 eng d a0169555X00aHydrologic connectivity and implications for ecosystem processes - Lessons from naked watersheds0 aHydrologic connectivity and implications for ecosystem processes c01/2017 a63 - 710 v2773 a

Hydrologic connectivity has received great attention recently as our conceptual models of watersheds and water quality have evolved in the past several decades. However, the structural complexity of most temperate watersheds (i.e. connections among shallow soils, deep aquifers, the atmosphere and streams) and the dynamic seasonal changes that occur within them (i.e., plant senescence which impacts evapotranspiration) create significant challenges to characterizing or quantifying hydrologic connectivity. The McMurdo Dry Valleys, a polar desert in Antarctica, provide a unique opportunity to study hydrologic connectivity because there is no vegetative cover (and therefore no transpiration), and no deep aquifers connected to surface soils or streams. Glacier melt provides stream flow to well-established channels and closed-basin, ice-covered lakes on the valley floor. Streams are also connected to shallow hyporheic zones along their lengths, which are bounded at ~75 cm depth by ice-cemented permafrost. These hydrologic features and connections provide water for and underpin biological communities. Hence, exchange of water among them provides a vector for exchange of energy and dissolved solutes. Connectivity is dynamic on timescales of a day to a flow season (6–12 weeks), as streamflow varies over these timescales. The timescales over which these connections occur is also dynamic. Exchanges between streams and hyporheic zones, for example, have been estimated to be as short as hours to as long as several weeks. These exchanges have significant implications for the biogeochemistry of these systems and the biotic communities in each feature. Here we evaluate the lessons we can learn about hydrologic connectivity in the MDV watersheds that are simplified in the context of processes occurring and water reservoirs included in the landscape, yet are sensitive to climate controls and contain substantial physical heterogeneity. We specifically explore several metrics that are simple and/or commonly employed in hydrologic analyses and interpret them in the context of connectivity between and among hydrologic features.

1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aWlostowski, Adam1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aJaros, Chris uhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169555X1630248302884nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012700041210006900168260004800237490001000285520235800295100002102653700002502674856005102699 2017 eng d00aHydrologic connectivity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: Water-mediated mass and energy fluxes in streams and soils0 aHydrologic connectivity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctica Wa aBoulder, CObUniversity of Colorado Boulder0 vPh.D.3 a

Chapter 1 synthesizes 20 years of stream gauge observations (discharge, water temperature, and specific conductance) to assess patterns of hydrologic connectivity between glaciers, streams and lakes. Results reveal hydrologic patterns across daily, annual and inter-annual timescales, which together characterize the hydrologic regime of MDV streams. Also, stream gauge data display a relationship between stream length and hydrologic regime. Longer streams are more intermittent, warmer, and saltier than shorter streams. This work provides physical context for understanding biological differences among MDV streams, while providing a methodological template for quantifying hydrologic connectivity.

Chapter 2 investigates the nature of concentration-discharge relationships for weathering-derived solutes in MDV streams. The relative simplicity of MDV “watersheds” permits the use of concentration-discharge relationships to infer hydrologic and chemical mixing dynamics occurring along the river corridor. Long-term stream geochemical data show that weathering derived solutes exhibit chemostatic C-Q relationships. Chemostasis implies that rates of solute production and/or mobilization scale proportionately with stream discharge. A numerical weathering and solute transport model suggests that chemostasis is maintained by a positive relationship between weathering rate and discharge along the stream corridor.

Finally, Chapters 3 and 4 investigate water-mediated energy fluxes within the soil habitat. Nematode communities in MDV are highly sensitive to the thermodynamic regime of active layer soils. Soil moisture and air temperature data were collected across natural wetness gradients adjacent to fluvial features to assess the control of soil moisture on the soil thermal regime. Observations show that wetter soils freeze less frequently and more gradually than drier soils. Also, a numerical soil heat transfer model suggests that increases in soil moisture and air temperature result in warmer average habitat temperature, an extension of the duration of time the soil habitat spends above freezing, and a reduction in the rate and frequency of freezing. The results of this chapter provide a physical context for understanding current and future patterns of ecosystem structure and function in MDV soils.

1 aWlostowski, Adam1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://scholar.colorado.edu/cven_gradetds/77/02255nas a2200193 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120260001200189300001400201490000800215520163600223100002001859700002501879700002401904700002101928700002201949700002401971856006601995 2017 eng d00aImpacts of permafrost degradation on a stream in Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aImpacts of permafrost degradation on a stream in Taylor Valley A c05/2017 a205 - 2130 v2853 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica are an ice-free landscape that supports a complex, microbially dominated ecosystem despite a severely arid, cold environment (b 5 cm water equivalent/y, − 18 °C mean annual air temperature). Recent observations of permafrost degradation in the coastal zones of the MDV suggest that this region is nearing a threshold of rapid landscape change. In 2012, substantial thermokarst development was observed along several kilometers of the west branch of Crescent Stream in Taylor Valley mostly in the form of bank failures, whereas the adjacent east branch was unaffected. The objective of this study was to quantify the changes to the stream banks of the west branch of Crescent Stream and to determine the impacts on the composition of the stream bed material. Three annually repeated terrestrial LiDAR scans were compared to determine the rates of ground surface change caused by thermokarst formation on the stream bank. The areal extent of the thermokarst was shown to be decreasing; however, the average vertical rate of retreat remained constant. Field measurements of bed materials indicated that the west branch and the reach downstream of the confluence (of east and west branches) consistently contained more fines than the unaffected east branch. This suggests that the finer bed material is a result of the thermokarst development on the west branch. These finer bed material compositions are likely to increase the mobility of the bed material, which will have implications for stream morphology, stream algal mat communities, and downstream aquatic ecosystems.

1 aSudman, Zachary1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aLevy, Joseph, S.1 aObryk, Maciek, K.1 aVan Horn, David, J. uhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169555X1630846703232nas a2200169 4500008004100000245012600041210006900167260001200236300001000248490000600258520266000264100002102924700003302945700002502978700002203003856003703025 2017 eng d00aPrimary productivity as a control over soil microbial diversity along environmental gradients in a polar desert ecosystem0 aPrimary productivity as a control over soil microbial diversity  c07/2017 ae33770 v53 a

Primary production is the fundamental source of energy to foodwebs and ecosystems, and is thus an important constraint on soil communities. This coupling is particularly evident in polar terrestrial ecosystems where biological diversity and activity is tightly constrained by edaphic gradients of productivity (e.g., soil moisture, organic carbon availability) and geochemical severity (e.g., pH, electrical conductivity). In the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, environmental gradients determine numerous properties of soil communities and yet relatively few estimates of gross or net primary productivity (GPP, NPP) exist for this region. Here we describe a survey utilizing pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry to estimate rates of GPP across a broad environmental gradient along with belowground microbial diversity and decomposition. PAM estimates of GPP ranged from an average of 0.27 mmol O2/m2/s in the most arid soils to an average of 6.97 mmol O2/m2/s in the most productive soils, the latter equivalent to 217 g C/m2/y in annual NPP assuming a 60 day growing season. A diversity index of four carbon-acquiring enzyme activities also increased with soil productivity, suggesting that the diversity of organic substrates in mesic environments may be an additional driver of microbial diversity. Overall, soil productivity was a stronger predictor of microbial diversity and enzymatic activity than any estimate of geochemical severity. These results highlight the fundamental role of environmental gradients to control community diversity and the dynamics of ecosystem-scale carbon pools in arid systems. 

1 aGeyer, Kevin, M.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E. uhttps://peerj.com/articles/3377/00639nas a2200205 4500008004100000245007600041210006900117260001200186300001300198490000700211100001700218700002500235700001700260700002400277700001700301700002500318700002100343700001700364856005200381 2016 eng d00aHydrological Controls on Ecosystem Dynamics in Lake Fryxell, Antarctica0 aHydrological Controls on Ecosystem Dynamics in Lake Fryxell Anta c07/2016 ae01590380 v111 aHerbei, Radu1 aRytel, Alexander, L.1 aLyons, Berry1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aJaros, Chris1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aHewitt, Judi uhttp://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.015903801797nas a2200253 4500008004100000022001400041245007900055210006900134260001200203300001400215490000700229520101000236100002401246700001601270700001701286700002101303700002001324700002501344700002201369700002101391700002801412700002301440856008001463 2016 eng d a0006-356800aThe Impact of a Large-Scale Climate Event on Antarctic Ecosystem Processes0 aImpact of a LargeScale Climate Event on Antarctic Ecosystem Proc c10/2016 a848 - 8630 v663 a

Extreme climate and weather events, such as a drought, hurricanes, or ice storms, can strongly imprint ecosystem processing and may alter ecosystem structure. Ecosystems in extreme environments are particularly vulnerable because of their adaptation to severe limitations in energy, water, or nutrients. The vulnerability can be expressed as a relatively long-lasting ecosystem response to a small or brief change in environmental conditions. Such an event occurred in Antarctica and affected two vastly different ecosystems: a marine-dominated coastal system and a terrestrial polar desert. Both sites experienced winds that warmed air temperatures above the 0°C threshold, resulting in extensive snow and ice melt and triggering a series of cascading effects through the ecosystems that are continuing to play out more than a decade later. This highlights the sensitivity of Antarctic ecosystems to warming events, which should occur more frequently in the future with global climate warming.

1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aSaba, Grace1 aAdams, Byron1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aFraser, William1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aObryk, Maciek, K.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aStammerjohn, Sharon, E.1 aVirginia, Ross, A. uhttp://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article-pdf/66/10/848/7510601/biw110.pdf02462nas a2200193 4500008004100000022001300041245008800054210006900142260001600211300001400227490000800241520184200249100002102091700002202112700002302134700002502157700001502182856007102197 2016 eng d a0921818100aLake Vanda: A sentinel for climate change in the McMurdo Sound Region of Antarctica0 aLake Vanda A sentinel for climate change in the McMurdo Sound Re cJan-09-2016 a213 - 2270 v1443 a

Lake Vanda is a perennially ice-covered, meromictic, endorheic lake located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, and an exceptional sentinel of climate change within the region. Lake levels rose 15 m over the past 68 years in response to climate-driven variability in ice-cover sublimation, meltwater production, and annual discharge of the Onyx River, the main source of water to the lake. Evidence from a new bathymetric map and water balance model combined with annual growth laminations in benthic mats suggest that the most recent filling trend began abruptly 80 years ago, in the early 1930s. This change increased lake volume by > 50%, triggered the formation of a new, upper, thermohaline convection cell, and cooled the lower convection cell by at least 2 °C and the bottom-most waters by at > 4 °C. Additionally, the depth of the deep chlorophyll a maximum rose by > 2 m, and deep-growing benthic algal mats declined while shallow benthic mats colonized freshly inundated areas. We attribute changes in hydrology to regional variations in air flow related to the strength and position of the Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) pressure system which have increased the frequency of down-valley, föhn winds associated with surface air temperature warming in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The ASL has also been implicated in the recent warming of the Antarctic Peninsula, and provides a common link for climate-related change on opposite sides of the continent. If this trend persists, Lake Vanda should continue to rise and cool over the next 200 years until a new equilibrium lake level is achieved. Most likely, future lake rise will lead to isothermal conditions not conducive to thermohaline convection, resulting in a drastically different physical, biogeochemical, and biological structure than observed today.

1 aCastendyk, Devin1 aObryk, Maciek, K.1 aLeidman, Sasha, Z.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aHawes, Ian uhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092181811530014X00676nas a2200181 4500008004100000245012900041210006900170260001200239490000600251100002400257700002000281700002400301700002200325700002500347700002100372700003300393856006800426 2016 eng d00aMicrobial Community Responses to Increased Water and Organic Matter in the Arid Soils of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aMicrobial Community Responses to Increased Water and Organic Mat c07/20160 v71 aBuelow, Heather, N.1 aWinter, Ara, S.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aSchwartz, Egbert1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttp://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2016.0104002242nas a2200181 4500008004100000245012300041210006900164260001200233300001400245490000700259520163300266100002101899700002501920700002401945700001701969700001701986856005702003 2016 eng d00aPatterns of hydrologic connectivity in the McMurdo dry valleys, Antarctica: a synthesis of 20 years of hydrologic data0 aPatterns of hydrologic connectivity in the McMurdo dry valleys A c04/2016 a2958-29750 v303 a

Streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) of Antarctica moderate an important hydrologic and biogeochemical connection between upland alpine glaciers, valley-bottom soils, and lowland closed-basin lakes. Moreover, MDV streams are simple but dynamic systems ideal for studying interacting hydrologic and ecological dynamics. This work synthesizes 20 years of hydrologic data, collected as part of the MDVs Long-Term Ecological Research project, to assess spatial and temporal dynamics of hydrologic connectivity between glaciers, streams, and lakes. Long-term records of stream discharge (Q), specific electrical conductance (EC), and water temperature (T) from 18 streams were analysed in order to quantify the magnitude, duration, and frequency of hydrologic connections over daily, annual, and inter-annual timescales. At a daily timescale, we observe predictable diurnal variations in Q, EC, and T. At an annual timescale, we observe longer streams to be more intermittent, warmer, and have higher median EC values, compared to shorter streams. Longer streams also behave chemostatically with respect to EC, whereas shorter streams are more strongly characterized by dilution. Inter-annually, we observe significant variability in annual runoff volumes, likely because of climatic variability over the 20 record years considered. Hydrologic connections at all timescales are vital to stream ecosystem structure and function. This synthesis of hydrologic connectivity in the MDVs provides a useful end-member template for assessing hydrologic connectivity in more structurally complex temperate watersheds. 

1 aWlostowski, Adam1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aJaros, Chris1 aLyons, Berry uhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hyp.1081800943nas a2200253 4500008004100000022001400041245008700055210006900142260001600211300001400227490000700241100002200248700002100270700002600291700002500317700001200342700002900354700002100383700002100404700002800425700002700453700002200480856018700502 2016 eng d a0006-356800aResponses of Antarctic Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems to Changing Ice Conditions0 aResponses of Antarctic Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems to Chang cJan-10-2016 a864 - 8790 v661 aObryk, Maciek, K.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aFriedlaender, Ari, S.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aLi, Wei1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aSchofield, Oscar1 aStammerjohn, Sharon, E.1 aSteinberg, Deborah, K.1 aDucklow, Hugh, W. uhttps://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/biosci/biw109https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/66/10/864/2415532/Responses-of-Antarctic-Marine-and-Freshwater01836nas a2200193 4500008004100000245013000041210006900171260001200240300001600252490000700268520116600275100002501441700002401466700002001490700002401510700002401534700001701558856006701575 2016 eng d00aStream biogeochemical and suspended sediment responses to permafrost degradation in stream banks in Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aStream biogeochemical and suspended sediment responses to permaf c03/2016 a1723 - 17320 v133 a

 Stream channels in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are characteristically wide, incised, and stable. At typical flows, streams occupy a fraction of the oversized channels, providing habitat for algal mats. In January 2012, we discovered substantial channel erosion and subsurface thermomechanical erosion undercutting banks of the Crescent Stream. We sampled stream water along the impacted reach and compared concentrations of solutes to the long-term data from this stream ( ∼  20 years of monitoring). Thermokarst-impacted stream water demonstrated higher electrical conductivity, and concentrations of chloride, sulfate, sodium, and nitrate than the long-term medians. These results suggest that this mode of lateral permafrost degradation may substantially impact stream solute loads and potentially fertilize stream and lake ecosystems. The potential for sediment to scour or bury stream algal mats is yet to be determined, though it may offset impacts of associated increased nutrient loads to streams.

1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aSudman, Zachary1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aLyons, Berry uhttp://www.biogeosciences.net/13/1723/2016/bg-13-1723-2016.pdf03050nas a2200205 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120260004600189300000700235490000900242520242000251653001502671653001602686653001902702653001102721653001602732100002002748700002502768856005102793 2015 eng d00aThe impacts of thermokarst activity on a stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys0 aimpacts of thermokarst activity on a stream in the McMurdo Dry V aBoulder, CObUniversity of Coloradoc2015 a700 vM.S.3 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica are a unique ice-free landscape that is host to vibrant ecosystems despite the harsh environment (<10 cm water equivalent/yr, -20°C mean air temperature). Aquatic ecosystems in the MDV are dependent on the ephemeral glacial runoff streams which feed the closed basin perennially ice covered lakes. The upland zones of the Dry Valleys have been shown to have some of the slowest ground surface change rates in the world. However, recent observations in the coastal valley transition zones suggest that this area may be nearing a threshold of rapid landscape change.

One of the recent observations that supports this idea is the discovery of extensive thermokarst degradation (permafrost thaw features) along the banks of Crescent Stream in Taylor Valley. In 2012, a large stretch of the West Branch of Crescent Stream was found to have significant thermokarst bank failures, while the adjacent East Branch was found to be unaffected. The thermokarst impacts within this setting are important to understand because of the disturbances that massive sediment loading can impose on downstream biological communities.

Annually repeated terrestrial LiDAR scans (3) were compared to determine the rates of ground surface change due to thermokarst degradation. It was found that the areal extent of the thermokarst was decreasing, however the average linear rates of retreat remained constant. Field measurements including, pebble counts, fine sediment counts, and sieve samples were analyzed to determine the effects of the thermokarst on the stream bed material. It was found that the West Branch and the reach downstream of the confluence were consistently finer than the unaffected East Branch. This suggests that the finer bed material is due to the thermokarst bank degradation. Stream power was calculated for multiple reaches to be used as a metric for the mobilization of the streambed material. It was found that both branches infrequently experience flows substantial enough to mobilize the bed material. Even the finer bed material of the impacted West Branch reach required flows that had a 5 % chance of exceedance for mobilization of the bed. These findings suggest the West Branch of Crescent Stream and the biota supported by this branch of the stream, continue to adjust to the sediment introduced from the thermokarst bank degradation.

10aAntarctica10aDry valleys10aearth sciences10astream10athermokarst1 aSudman, Zachary1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://search.proquest.com/docview/171758257302696nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001400041245013900055210006900194260001200263300000900275490000800284520194700292100002102239700002402260700001802284700002202302700002502324700001902349700003302368856007702401 2015 eng d a0962-845200aNiche and metabolic principles explain patterns of diversity and distribution: theory and a case study with soil bacterial communities0 aNiche and metabolic principles explain patterns of diversity and c05/2015 a26300 v2823 a

The causes of biodiversity patterns are controversial and elusive due to complex environmental variation, covarying changes in communities, and lack of baseline and null theories to differentiate straightforward causes from more complex mechanisms. To address these limitations, we developed general diversity theory integrating metabolic principles with niche-based community assembly. We evaluated this theory by investigating patterns in the diversity and distribution of soil bacteria taxa across four orders of magnitude variation in spatial scale on an Antarctic mountainside in low complexity, highly oligotrophic soils. Our theory predicts that lower temperatures should reduce taxon niche widths along environmental gradients due to decreasing growth rates, and the changing niche widths should lead to contrasting α- and β-diversity patterns. In accord with the predictions, α-diversity, niche widths and occupancies decreased while β-diversity increased with increasing elevation and decreasing temperature. The theory also successfully predicts a hump-shaped relationship between α-diversity and pH and a negative relationship between α-diversity and salinity. Thus, a few simple principles explained systematic microbial diversity variation along multiple gradients. Such general theory can be used to disentangle baseline effects from more complex effects of temperature and other variables on biodiversity patterns in a variety of ecosystems and organisms.

 

 

1 aOkie, Jordan, G.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aStorch, David1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aKopsova, Lenka1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttp://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/lookup/doi/10.1098/rspb.2014.263000864nas a2200217 4500008004100000245020400041210006900245260001200314300001600326490000700342100002400349700001600373700002400389700002500413700001700438700001300455700001700468700002100485700002100506856011900527 2015 eng d00aPotential for real-time understanding of coupled hydrologic and biogeochemical processes in stream ecosystems: Future integration of telemetered data with process models for glacial meltwater streams0 aPotential for realtime understanding of coupled hydrologic and b c08/2015 a6725 - 67380 v511 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aCozzetto, K1 aCullis, James, D.S.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aJaros, Chris1 aKoch, J.1 aLyons, Berry1 aNeupauer, R., M.1 aWlostowski, Adam uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/2015WR017618http://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2F2015WR01761804273nas a2200193 4500008004100000022001400041245007400055210006900129260001600198300001400214490000700228520366500235100002203900700002103922700002503943700002203968700002403990856006504014 2015 eng d a0954-102000aRecovery of Antarctic stream epilithon from simulated scouring events0 aRecovery of Antarctic stream epilithon from simulated scouring e cJan-08-2015 a341 - 3540 v273 a

Microbial mats are common in polar streams and often dominate benthic biomass. Climate change may be enhancing the variability of stream flows in the Antarctic, but so far studies investigating mat responses to disturbance have been limited in this region. Mat regrowth was evaluated following disturbance by experimentally scouring rocks from an ephemeral McMurdo Dry Valley stream over two summers (2001–02 and 2012–13). Mats were sampled at the beginning and resampled at the end of the flow season. In 2012–13, mats were additionally resampled mid-season along with previously undisturbed controls. In 2001–02 rocks regained 47% of chlorophyll aand 40% of ash-free dry mass by the end of the summer, while in 2012–13 rocks regrew 18% and 27%, respectively. Mat stoichiometry differed between summers, and reflected differences in biomass and discharge. Oscillatoria spp. were greatest on scoured rocks and Phormidium spp. on undisturbed rocks. Small diatoms Humidophila andFistulifera spp. increased throughout the summer in all mats, with the latter more abundant in scoured communities. Collectively, these data suggest that mats are variable intra-annually, responsive to hydrology and require multiple summers to regrow initial biomass once lost. These results will aid the interpretation of long-term data, as well as inform Antarctic Specially Managed Area protocols.

1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aChatfield, Ethan1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S095410201500002401763nas a2200157 4500008004100000245010800041210006900149260001200218300001200230490000700242520123700249100002101486700002501507700002501532856004801557 2015 eng d00aSpatiotemporal Dynamics of Wetted Soils across a Polar Desert Landscape, McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctica0 aSpatiotemporal Dynamics of Wetted Soils across a Polar Desert La c04/2015 a197-2090 v273 aLiquid water is scarce across the landscape of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica, a 3800 km2 ice-free region, and is chiefly associated with soils that are adjacent to streams and lakes (i.e. wetted margins) during the annual thaw season. However, isolated wetted soils have been observed at locations distal from water bodies. The source of water for the isolated patches of wet soil is potentially generated by a combination of infiltration from melting snowpacks, melting of pore ice at the ice table, and melting of buried segregation ice formed during winter freezing. High resolution remote sensing data gathered several times per summer in the MDV region were used to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of wet soils. The spatial consistency with which the wet soils occurred was assessed for the 2009–10 to 2011–12 summers. The remote sensing analyses reveal that cumulative area and number of wet soil patches varies among summers. The 2010–11 summer provided the most wetted soil area (10.21 km2) and 2009–10 covered the least (5.38 km2). These data suggest that wet soils are a significant component of the MDV cold desert land system and may become more prevalent as regional climate changes.1 aLangford, Z., L.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aLampkin, Derrick, J. uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S095410201400060101816nas a2200181 4500008004100000245008400041210006900125260001200194300001200206490000700218520117800225100002101403700002501424700003301449700002501482700002201507856010501529 2014 eng d00aBacterial community composition of divergent soil habitats from a polar desert.0 aBacterial community composition of divergent soil habitats from  c08/2014 a490-4940 v893 aEdaphic factors such as pH, organic matter, and salinity are often the most significant drivers of diversity patterns in soil bacterial communities. Desert ecosystems in particular are model locations for examining such relationships as food web complexity is low and the soil environment is biogeochemically heterogeneous. Here, we present the findings from a 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach used to observe the differences in diversity and community composition among three divergent soil habitats of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Results show that alpha diversity is significantly lowered in high pH soils, which contain higher proportions of the phyla Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria, while mesic soils with higher soil organic carbon (and ammonium) content contain high proportions of Nitrospira, a nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. Taxonomic community resolution also had a significant impact on our conclusions, as pH was the primary predictor of phylum-level diversity, while moisture was the most significant predictor of diversity at the genus level. Predictive power also increased with increasing taxonomic resolution, suggesting a potential increase in nic1 aGeyer, Kevin, M.1 aAltrichter, Adam, E.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/bacterial-community-composition-divergent-soil-habitats-polar-desert02223nas a2200205 4500008004100000245012900041210006900170260001200239300001200251490000700263520146400270100001701734700002401751700002401775700002501799700002201824700003301846700001501879856012301894 2014 eng d00aCharacterization of Growing Bacterial Populations in McMurdo Dry Valley Soils through Stable Isotope Probing with 18O-water.0 aCharacterization of Growing Bacterial Populations in McMurdo Dry c08/2014 a415-4250 v893 aSoil microbial communities of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica (MDV) contain representatives from at least fourteen bacterial phyla. However, given low rates of microbial activity, it is unclear whether this richness represents functioning rather than dormant members of the community. We used stable isotope probing (SIP) with (18) O-water to determine if microbial populations grow in MDV soils. Changes in the microbial community were characterized in soils amended with H2 (18) O and H2 (18) O-organic matter. Sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of the heavy and light fractions of the bacterial community DNA shows that DNA of microbial populations was labeled with (18) O-water, indicating these micro-organisms grew in the MDV soils. Significant differences existed in the community composition of the heavy and light fractions of the H2 (18) O and H2 (18) O-organic matter amended samples (Anosim P < 0.05 of weighted Unifrac distance). Control samples and the light DNA fraction of the H2 (18) O amended samples were dominated by representatives of the phyla Deinococcus-Thermus, Proteobacteria, Planctomyces, Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria, whereas Proteobacteria were more prevalent in the heavy DNA fractions from the H2 (18) O-water and the H2 (18) O-water-organic matter treatments. Our results indicate that SIP with H2 (18) O can be used to distinguish active bacterial populations even in this low organic matter environment.1 aSchwartz, E.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aBuelow, Heather, N.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aOkie, J.G. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/characterization-growing-bacterial-populations-mcmurdo-dry-valley-soils-through-stable02542nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001300041245006800054210006300122260001200185300001200197490000800209520181900217100002402036700002102060700002502081700002402106856023002130 2014 eng d a0169555X00aThe McMurdo Dry Valleys: A landscape on the threshold of change0 aMcMurdo Dry Valleys A landscape on the threshold of change c11/2014 a25 - 350 v2253 a

Field observations of coastal and lowland regions in the McMurdo Dry Valleys suggest they are on the threshold of rapid topographic change, in contrast to the high elevation upland landscape that represents some of the lowest rates of surface change on Earth. A number of landscapes have undergone dramatic and unprecedented landscape changes over the past decade including, the Wright Lower Glacier (Wright Valley) — ablated several tens of meters, the Garwood River (Garwood Valley) has incised > 3 m into massive ice permafrost, smaller streams in Taylor Valley (Crescent, Lawson, and Lost Seal Streams) have experienced extensive down-cutting and/or bank undercutting, and Canada Glacier (Taylor Valley) has formed sheer, > 4 meter deep canyons. The commonality between all these landscape changes appears to be sediment on ice acting as a catalyst for melting, including ice-cement permafrost thaw. We attribute these changes to increasing solar radiation over the past decade despite no significant trend in summer air temperature. To infer possible future landscape changes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, due to anticipated climate warming, we map ‘at risk’ landscapes defined as those with buried massive ice in relative warm regions of the valleys. Results show that large regions of the valley bottoms are ‘at risk’. Changes in surface topography will trigger important responses in hydrology, geochemistry, and biological community structure and function.

1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aLevy, Joseph, S.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aVan Horn, David, J. uhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169555X14001780http://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0169555X14001780?httpAccept=text/xmlhttp://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0169555X14001780?httpAccept=text/plain02505nas a2200193 4500008004100000245011800041210006900159260001200228300001400240490000700254520178100261100002402042700001502066700002402081700002502105700002202130700003302152856012602185 2014 eng d00aSoil microbial responses to increased moisture and organic resources along a salinity gradient in a polar desert.0 aSoil microbial responses to increased moisture and organic resou c05/2014 a3034-30430 v803 aMicrobial communities in extreme environments often have low diversity and specialized physiologies suggesting a limited resistance to change. The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) are a microbially dominated, extreme ecosystem currently undergoing climate change-induced disturbances, including the melting of massive buried ice, cutting through of permafrost by streams, and warming events. These processes are increasing moisture across the landscape, altering conditions for soil communities by mobilizing nutrients and salts and stimulating autotrophic carbon inputs to soils. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of resource addition (water/organic matter) on the composition and function of microbial communities in the MDV along a natural salinity gradient representing an additional gradient of stress in an already extreme environment. Soil respiration and the activity of carbon-acquiring extracellular enzymes increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the addition of resources at the low- and moderate-salinity sites but not the high-salinity site. The bacterial community composition was altered, with an increase in Proteobacteria and Firmicutes with water and organic matter additions at the low- and moderate-salinity sites and a near dominance of Firmicutes at the high-salinity site. Principal coordinate analyses of all samples using a phylogenetically informed distance matrix (UniFrac) demonstrated discrete clustering among sites (analysis of similarity [ANOSIM], P < 0.05 and R > 0.40) and among most treatments within sites. The results from this experimental work suggest that microbial communities in this environment will undergo rapid change in response to the altered resources resulting from climate change impacts occurring in this region.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aOkie, J.G.1 aBuelow, Heather, N.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/soil-microbial-responses-increased-moisture-and-organic-resources-along-salinity-gradient02257nas a2200133 4500008004100000245011700041210006900158260004000227490000900267520175200276100002102028700002502049856004902074 2013 eng d00aAre the Dry Valleys getting wetter? A preliminary assessment of wetness across the McMurdo Dry Valleys landscape0 aAre the Dry Valleys getting wetter A preliminary assessment of w bPennsylvania State Universityc20130 vM.S.3 a

Liquid water is scarce across the landscape of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica and is associated with soils that are adjacent to streams and lakes, during the annual thaw season. However, seeps, water tracks, and wet patches have been observed at several other locations as well. The source of water for these is likely generated by a combination of infiltration from melting snowpacks, melting of pore ice at the ice table beneath the water tracks, and melting of buried segregation ice formed during winter freezing. We are using high resolution (<1m pixel) remote sensing data gathered several times per week in the MDV region to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of wet soils. We assess the spatial consistency with which these wet soils occur for the 2008-2009 to 2011-2012 austral summers with complete coverage and partial coverage for 2003-2004 and 2006-2007 austral summers using a land cover classification. We also quantify the soil moisture of wetted soils using an artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN utilizes field radiometer data to retrieve estimates of surface moisture based on the spectral measurements and soil moisture samples collected during the 2010-2011 field season. The remote sensing based analyses of the wetted soils have shown the magnitude to vary greatly and how topography and regional microclimates influence the wetted soils in the MDV. The 2010-2011 austral summer provided the most wetted soil area, 10.21 km2, and 2008- 2009 covered the least, 5.38 km2. The ANN soil moisture distribution in the MDV shows values ranging from 0.36 % to over 19 %. We suggest that wet soils are a significant component of this cold desert land system and ecosystem.

1 aLangford, Z., L.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/1736400652nas a2200181 4500008004100000245007600041210006900117260001200186300001100198490000600209100002100215700002500236700002400261700003300285700002500318700002200343856010500365 2013 eng d00aEnvironmental controls over bacterial communities in polar desert soils0 aEnvironmental controls over bacterial communities in polar deser c10/2013 aart1270 v41 aGeyer, Kevin, M.1 aAltrichter, Adam, E.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/environmental-controls-over-bacterial-communities-polar-desert-soils00764nas a2200205 4500008004100000245015000041210006900191260001200260300001100272490000600283100002400289700001800313700002200331700002500353700002500378700002100403700002200424700003300446856007900479 2013 eng d00aFactors Controlling Soil Microbial Biomass and Bacterial Diversity and Community Composition in a Cold Desert Ecosystem: Role of Geographic Scale0 aFactors Controlling Soil Microbial Biomass and Bacterial Diversi c06/2013 ae661030 v81 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aVan Horn, Lee1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aAltrichter, Adam, E.1 aGeyer, Kevin, M.1 aZeglin, Lydia, H.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttp://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.006610300579nas a2200157 4500008004100000245012400041210006900165260001200234300001600246490000700262100001600269700002500285700002500310700002400335856006200359 2013 eng d00aThe influence of stream thermal regimes and preferential flow paths on hyporheic exchange in a glacial meltwater stream0 ainfluence of stream thermal regimes and preferential flow paths  c09/2013 a5552 - 55690 v491 aCozzetto, K1 aBencala, Kenneth, E.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wrcr.20410/pdf00637nas a2200169 4500008004100000245013500041210006900176260001200245300001400257490000600271100002100277700002500298700002500323700002200348700003300370856006400403 2013 eng d00aSeasonal controls on snow distribution and aerial ablation at the snow-patch and landscape scales, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aSeasonal controls on snow distribution and aerial ablation at th c09/2013 a917 - 9310 v71 aEveland, Jeffery1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aLampkin, Derrick, J.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttp://www.the-cryosphere.net/7/917/2013/tc-7-917-2013.html00493nas a2200145 4500008004100000245007100041210006900112260001200181300001400193490000700207100002500214700002200239700002100261856006500282 2013 eng d00aShallow groundwater systems in a polar desert, McMurdo Dry Valleys0 aShallow groundwater systems in a polar desert McMurdo Dry Valley c02/2013 a171 - 1830 v211 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aLevy, Joseph, S. uhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10040-012-0926-300619nas a2200169 4500008004100000245011800041210006900159260001200228300001600240490000700256100002100263700002500284700002500309700002200334700003300356856006000389 2013 eng d00aSpatial and temporal patterns of snow accumulation and aerial ablation across the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aSpatial and temporal patterns of snow accumulation and aerial ab c09/2013 a2864 - 28750 v271 aEveland, Jeffery1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aLampkin, Derrick, J.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hyp.9407/pdf00730nas a2200193 4500008004100000245009900041210006900140300001100209100002100220700002400241700002500265700002200290700002200312700002400334700001700358700002200375700002000397856011900417 2013 eng d00aWater track modification of soil ecosystems in the Lake Hoare basin, Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aWater track modification of soil ecosystems in the Lake Hoare ba a1 - 101 aLevy, Joseph, S.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aVantreese, Robert1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aLyons, Berry1 aNielsen, Uffe, N.1 aWall, Diana, H. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/water-track-modification-soil-ecosystems-lake-hoare-basin-taylor-valley-antarctica00640nas a2200193 4500008004100000245010100041210006900142260001200211300001000223490000600233100002200239700002000261700001700281700002300298700001600321700002500337700002400362856006000386 2012 eng d00aThe ecology of pulse events: insights from an extreme climatic event in a polar desert ecosystem0 aecology of pulse events insights from an extreme climatic event  c02/2012 aart170 v31 aNielsen, Uffe, N.1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aAdams, Byron1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aBall, Becky1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/ES11-00325.102199nas a2200205 4500008004100000245013600041210006900177260003400246490000900280520151100289653001401800653001901814653001201833653001401845653002501859653001101884100002401895700002501919856004901944 2012 eng d00aModeling nitrate concentrations in an Antarctic glacial meltwater stream under fluctuating hydrologic conditions and nitrate inputs0 aModeling nitrate concentrations in an Antarctic glacial meltwate bPennsylvania State University0 vM.S.3 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys comprise a unique polar desert ecosystem in Victoria Land, Antarctica. The hydrologic system in the Dry Valleys is often characterized as being simplified compared to temperate watersheds, due to the ability to identify physical boundaries and nutrient sources and sinks. We seek to characterize the evolution of streamflow, solutes, and nutrients along a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, and to understand the role of different sources and sinks under varying hydrologic conditions. The study presented here includes streamflow routing, solute modeling, and nitrate concentration modeling in Von Guerard stream, a stream with abundant algal coverage in the McMurdo Dry Valleys region of Antarctica. The streamflow model is a solution to the kinematic wave routing problem. Solute modeling addresses advection, dispersion, as well as hyporheic zone inputs, which are controlled by weathering and hyporheic exchange. Lastly, the nitrate model builds on the solute model with the addition of a gross primary production (GPP) component. Results indicate that the hyporheic source of nitrate is controlling due to rapid exchange with the main channel. GPP impacts are small due to light-saturated conditions for a majority of the season, but provide a consistent sink for nitrate. The role of advective and dispersive transport is highly dependent on flow conditions, with advective transport controlling at high flows and dispersive controlling at low flows.

10ahydrology10ahyporheic zone10anitrate10anutrients10aprimary productivity10astream1 aBernzott, Emily, D.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/1531603506nas a2200133 4500008004100000245006900041210006700110260004000177490000900217520305100226100002103277700002503298856004903323 2012 eng d00aSnow dynamics in a polar desert, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aSnow dynamics in a polar desert McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctica bPennsylvania State Universityc20120 vM.S.3 a

Snow in the McMurdo Dry Valleys is rare source of moisture for subnivian soils (beneath snow) in a cold desert ecosystem. While sublimation dominates the ablation process, measurable increases in soil moisture are expected to provide more favorable conditions for subnivian soil communities. In addition, snow cover insulates the underlying soil from temperature extremes. Quantifying the spatial distribution and ablation patterns of seasonal snow is necessary to understand these dynamics. Annual snowfall varies spatially ranging from 3 to 50 mm of snow water equivalent, with greater amounts occurring at the coast. Despite receiving very little precipitation, significant amounts of snow can accumulate (via aeolian redistribution) in topographic lees at the valley bottoms, forming thousands of discontinuous patches (typically 1-100 m2 in area). These patches have the potential to act as fertility islands, controlling the landscape distribution of microbial communities, and biogeochemical cycling.

High resolution imagery acquired during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 austral summers was used to quantify the distribution of snow across Taylor and Wright Valleys. An object-based classification was used to extract snow-covered area from the imagery. Coupled with topographic parameters, unique distribution patterns were characterized for 5 regions within the neighboring valleys. Time lapses of snow distribution during each season in each region provide insight into spatially characterizing the aerial ablation rates (change in area of landscape covered by snow) across the valleys. The distribution of snow-covered area during the 2009-2010 austral summer is used as a baseline for seasonal comparison. The surrounding regions of Lake Fryxell, Lake Hoare, Lake Bonney, Lake Brownworth, and Lake Vanda exhibited losses of snow-covered area of 9.61 km2 (-93%), 1.63 km2 (-72%), 1.07 km2 (-97%), 2.60 km2 (-82%), and 0.25 km2 (- 96%) respectively, as measured from peak accumulation in October to mid-January during the 2009-2010 season. Differences in aerial ablation rates within and across local regions suggest that both topographic variation and regional microclimates influence the ablation of seasonal snow cover. Elevation has shown to be the strongest control over aerial ablation. Fifteen 1 km2 plots (3 in each region) were selected to assess the prevalence of snow cover at smaller scales. Results confirm that snow patches form in the same locations each year with some minor deviations observed. Stable isotopes from snow patches also provide insights into temporal and spatial processes associated with ablation. At the snow patch scale, neighboring patches often exhibit considerable differences in aerial ablation rates, presumably controlled by snow depth. This highlights the importance of both the landscape and snow patch scales in assessing the effects of snow cover on biogeochemical cycling and microbial communities.

1 aEveland, Jeffery1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/1268000655nas a2200181 4500008004100000245012000041210006900161260001100230300001400241490000700255100002200262700002300284700002200307700002500329700002800354700003300382856005800415 2011 eng d00aBacterial Community Structure Along Moisture Gradients in the Parafluvial Sediments of Two Ephemeral Desert Streams0 aBacterial Community Structure Along Moisture Gradients in the Pa c4/2011 a543 - 5560 v611 aZeglin, Lydia, H.1 aDahm, Clifford, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aFitpatrick, Shannon, K.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttp://www.springerlink.com/content/r83j53334v5n505w/03517nas a2200349 4500008004100000245015900041210006900200260003400269490000900303520243200312653001502744653002002759653002402779653001402803653002802817653001702845653001302862653001402875653001402889653001302903653002402916653002002940653001402960653001702974653002102991653002103012653001503033653002003048100002503068700002503093856004903118 2011 eng d00aHydrologic controls of nutrient fluxes in glacial meltwater streams at inter-annual, seasonal, and daily timescales in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aHydrologic controls of nutrient fluxes in glacial meltwater stre bPennsylvania State University0 vM.S.3 a

In the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, glaciers are hydrologically linked to closed-basin lakes at the valley floor by glacial meltwater streams. Streams flow through porous, well-defined channels with extensive chemically active hyporheic zones. Temporally varying dynamics of meltwater generation and sub-stream thaw depth are thought to control the potential for the hyporheic zone and benthic communities to influence transport of nutrients and dissolved ions downstream. Using the McMurdo LTER database, patterns in stream discharge, electrical conductivity (both with 15-minute sampling intervals), and solute chemistry (weekly sampling intervals) were examined on eight MDV streams from 1990-2008. Discharge and electrical conductivity values were highly variable among streams. Discharge values were highly dependent upon glacial source area, but meteorological and topographical complexities create large variability at all time scales. The longer streams were found to have much higher electrical conductivity values than the shorter streams, suggesting that there are more opportunities for hyporheic weathering reactions along longer stream reaches. Weekly sampled water solutes from each stream's entire record were plotted against the discharge recorded at the time when the sample was taken. Silicate concentrations displayed a decreasing logarithmic relationship, while nutrient concentrations had no apparent relationship. This suggests that with the exception to bioreactive solutes, the majority of hyporheic interactions could possibly be characterized by electrical conductivity and discharge. To attain information on in-stream nutrient dynamics and nutrient fluxes, glacial source water at the upper reach of Green Creek and stream outlet water at the lower reach of Green Creek were sampled hourly for two separate diel periods during the 2008-09 austral summer. Both dates were in late January under two distinct flow conditions (~0.5 L/s and ~10 L/s). Under low flow conditions, nutrient cycling was found to be uptake dominated. High flow conditions showed both uptake and regeneration with much higher nutrient loads, but as in the low flow conditions, no apparent temporal trends were found. Nutrient concentrations could not be predicted using the two parameters of discharge and electrical conductivity with in-stream nutrient dynamics likely too complicated at the sub-daily scale.

10aAntarctica10abiogeochemistry10achemical weathering10adischarge10aelectrical conductivity10aglacial melt10aglaciers10ahydrology10ahyporheic10aMCM LTER10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10anutrient fluxes10anutrients10apolar desert10asolute chemistry10astream chemistry10astreamflow10awater chemistry1 aWeaver, Mitchell, R.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/1156800581nas a2200169 4500008004100000245008600041210006900127260001200196300001400208490000600222100002500228700002400253700002100277700002400298700001700322856007200339 2011 eng d00aHydrological Connectivity of the Landscape of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aHydrological Connectivity of the Landscape of the McMurdo Dry Va c09/2011 a666 - 6810 v51 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aLyons, Berry uhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00445.x00609nas a2200169 4500008004100000022001400041245010500055210006900160260001200229490002400241100001600265700002200281700002500303700002300328700002000351856006800371 2011 eng d a0800-039500aImplications of meltwater pulse events for soil biology and biogeochemical cycling in a polar desert0 aImplications of meltwater pulse events for soil biology and biog c12/20110 v30812810303525113401 aBall, Becky1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aWall, Diana, H. uhttp://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/1455500630nas a2200169 4500008004100000245013600041210006900177260001200246300001400258490000800272100002100280700002400301700002500325700002400350700001700374856006900391 2011 eng d00aWater tracks and permafrost in Taylor Valley, Antarctica: Extensive and shallow groundwater connectivity in a cold desert ecosystem0 aWater tracks and permafrost in Taylor Valley Antarctica Extensiv c11/2011 a2295-23110 v1231 aLevy, Joseph, S.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aLyons, Berry uhttp://bulletin.geoscienceworld.org/content/123/11-12/2295.short00722nas a2200193 4500008004100000020001800041245008800059210006900147260004200216300001400258100002500272700002400297700001700321700001700338700002100355700001700376700002400393856011100417 2010 eng d a978052188919300aAntarctic McMurdo Dry Valley stream ecosystems as analog to fluvial systems on Mars0 aAntarctic McMurdo Dry Valley stream ecosystems as analog to fluv aCambridgebCambridge University Press a139 - 1591 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aCarr, M., H.1 aBaeseman, J.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aLyons, Berry1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-mcmurdo-dry-valley-stream-ecosystems-analog-fluvial-systems-mars00641nas a2200181 4500008004100000020001800041245006900059210006900128260003100197300001200228490000600240100003300246700002200279700002500301700002200326700002100348856009000369 2010 eng d a978052188919300aFactors promoting microbial diversity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys0 aFactors promoting microbial diversity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys bCambridge University Press a221-2570 v51 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aZeglin, Lydia, H.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aPriscu, John, C. uhttp://ebooks.cambridge.org/chapter.jsf?bid=CBO9780511712258&cid=CBO9780511712258A01500667nas a2200169 4500008004100000020001800041245012500059210006900184260004200253300001300295490000600308100002200314700001300336700002500349700003300374856009000407 2010 eng d a978052188919300aThe legacy of aqueous environments on soils of the McMurdo Dry Valleys: contexts for future exploration of martian soils0 alegacy of aqueous environments on soils of the McMurdo Dry Valle aCambridgebCambridge University Press a78 - 1090 v51 aBarrett, John, E.1 aPoage, M1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttp://ebooks.cambridge.org/chapter.jsf?bid=CBO9780511712258&cid=CBO9780511712258A01000763nam a2200241 4500008004100000020001800041245005800059210005800117260004300175300000800218490000600226653002200232100002100254700001700275700002400292700002400316700002500340700003300365700002200398700002000420700001800440856006300458 2010 eng d a978051171225800aLife in Antarctic Deserts and Other Cold Environments0 aLife in Antarctic Deserts and Other Cold Environments aCambridgebCambridge University Press. a3070 v510aPlanetary Science1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aLyons, Berry1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aMikucki, Jill, A.1 aTranter, Martyn1 aSun, Henry, J uhttp://ebooks.cambridge.org/ebook.jsf?bid=CBO978051171225800685nas a2200193 4500008004100000245010500041210006900146260001200215300001400227490000700241100002400248700001700272700001900289700002900308700002500337700002400362700002100386856008400407 2010 eng d00aSpatial variations in the geochemistry of glacial meltwater streams in the Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aSpatial variations in the geochemistry of glacial meltwater stre c12/2010 a662 - 6720 v221 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aLyons, Berry1 aWhisner, Carla1 aGardner, Christopher, B.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aPriscu, John, C. uhttp://www.montana.edu/lkbonney/DOCS/Publications/WelchEtAl2010Geochemistry.pdf00683nas a2200169 4500008004100000245011900041210006900160300001400229490000700243100001700250700002500267700002200292700002200314700003300336700001600369856012800385 2009 eng d00aHydrologic characteristics of lake- and stream-side riparian wetted margins in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aHydrologic characteristics of lake and streamside riparian wette a1255-12670 v231 aNorthcott, M1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aZeglin, Lydia, H.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aHumphrey, J uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/hydrologic-characteristics-lake-and-stream-side-riparian-wetted-margins-mcmurdo-dry-valleys00686nas a2200157 4500008004100000245015700041210006900198300001200267490000700279100002200286700001800308700002200326700002500348700003300373856012200406 2009 eng d00aLandscape Distribution of Microbial Activity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys: Linked Biotic Processes, Hydrology, and Geochemistry in a Cold Desert Ecosystem0 aLandscape Distribution of Microbial Activity in the McMurdo Dry  a562-5730 v121 aZeglin, Lydia, H.1 aSinsabaugh, R1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/landscape-distribution-microbial-activity-mcmurdo-dry-valleys-linked-biotic-processes00579nas a2200133 4500008004100000245011000041210006900151300001400220490000700234100002200241700002500263700003300288856012400321 2009 eng d00aSpatial variation in soil active-layer geochemistry across hydrologic margins in polar desert ecosystems.0 aSpatial variation in soil activelayer geochemistry across hydrol a2349-23580 v131 aBarrett, John, E.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/spatial-variation-soil-active-layer-geochemistry-across-hydrologic-margins-polar-desert00606nas a2200145 4500008004100000245011600041210006900157300001000226490000700236100001300243700002500256700002200281700003300303856012400336 2009 eng d00aThermal Characterisation of Active Layer Across a Soil Moisture Gradient in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aThermal Characterisation of Active Layer Across a Soil Moisture  a27-390 v201 aIkard, S1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/thermal-characterisation-active-layer-across-soil-moisture-gradient-mcmurdo-dry-valleys00521nas a2200157 4500008004100000245003800041210003600079260003600115100002400151700002500175700002500200700001600225700002500241700002800266856006900294 2008 eng d00aHigh-latitude rivers and streams.0 aHighlatitude rivers and streams aOxfordbOxford University Press1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aVincent, Warwick, F.1 aPeterson, B1 aVincent, Warwick, F.1 aLaybourn-Parry, Johanna uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/high-latitude-rivers-and-streams00701nas a2200193 4500008004100000245009100041210006900132300001200201490000600213100002500219700002200244700002700266700001500293700002200308700002200330700001200352700003300364856011000397 2007 eng d00aControls on the spatial dimensions of wetted hydrologic margins of two antarctic lakes0 aControls on the spatial dimensions of wetted hydrologic margins  a841-8480 v61 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aNorthcott, Melissa, L.1 aBate, Brad1 aHill, Kenneth, R.1 aZeglin, Lydia, H.1 aBobb, M1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/controls-spatial-dimensions-wetted-hydrologic-margins-two-antarctic-lakes00592nas a2200121 4500008004100000245015900041210006900200260002900269490000900298100001300307700002500320856012500345 2007 eng d00aSpatial and Temporal Active Layer Thermal Dynamics from Temperature Time Series Analysis: Case Studies from Lake Fryxell, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.0 aSpatial and Temporal Active Layer Thermal Dynamics from Temperat bColorado School of Mines0 vM.S.1 aIkard, S1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/spatial-and-temporal-active-layer-thermal-dynamics-temperature-time-series-analysis-case00704nas a2200169 4500008004100000245010300041210006900144260005400213100002500267700002400292700002100316700001700337700001700354700001900371700002700390856011700417 2007 eng d00aTrends in discharge and flow season timing of the Onyx River, Wright Valley, Antarctica since 19690 aTrends in discharge and flow season timing of the Onyx River Wri bU.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-10471 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aLyons, Berry1 aCooper, Alan1 aRaymond, Carol1 aTeam, ISAES, Editorial uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/trends-discharge-and-flow-season-timing-onyx-river-wright-valley-antarctica-196900449nas a2200121 4500008004100000245006100041210006100102260003000163490000900193100001700202700002500219856008300244 2007 eng d00aWETTED MARGIN HYDROLOGY OF THE DRY VALLEYS OF ANTARCTICA0 aWETTED MARGIN HYDROLOGY OF THE DRY VALLEYS OF ANTARCTICA bColorado School of Mines,0 vM.S.1 aNorthcott, M1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/wetted-margin-hydrology-dry-valleys-antarctica00687nas a2200181 4500008004100000245010500041210006900146260001200215300001000227490000700237100002500244700001700269700002400286700002200310700002400332700002100356856012800377 2006 eng d00aA stable isotopic investigation of a polar desert hydrologic system, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 astable isotopic investigation of a polar desert hydrologic syste c02/2006 a60-710 v381 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aLyons, Berry1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aVaughn, Bruce, H.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aDowling, Carolyn uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/stable-isotopic-investigation-polar-desert-hydrologic-system-mcmurdo-dry-valleys-antarctica00700nas a2200169 4500008004100000245014000041210006900181260001200250300001200262490000700274100002500281700002500306700002300331700002300354700002400377856012900401 2005 eng d00aSensitivity analysis of conservative and reactive stream transient storage models applied to field data from multiple-reach experiments0 aSensitivity analysis of conservative and reactive stream transie c05/2005 a479-4920 v281 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBencala, Kenneth, E.1 aScott, Durelle, T.1 aRunkel, Robert, L.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/sensitivity-analysis-conservative-and-reactive-stream-transient-storage-models-applied-field00630nas a2200157 4500008004100000245011600041210006900157260001200226300001400238490000700252100002500259700002400284700002300308700001900331856012200350 2004 eng d00aDenitrification and hydrologic transient storage in a glacial meltwater stream, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aDenitrification and hydrologic transient storage in a glacial me c09/2004 a1884-18950 v491 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aRunkel, Robert, L.1 aDuff, John, H. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/denitrification-and-hydrologic-transient-storage-glacial-meltwater-stream-mcmurdo-dry00568nas a2200133 4500008004100000245010500041210006900146300001200215490000700227100002500234700002400259700002300283856012800306 2004 eng d00aReach-scale cation exchange controls on major ion chemistry of an Antarctic glacial meltwater stream0 aReachscale cation exchange controls on major ion chemistry of an a221-2380 v101 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aRunkel, Robert, L. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/reach-scale-cation-exchange-controls-major-ion-chemistry-antarctic-glacial-meltwater-stream00558nas a2200145 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120300001400189490000700203100002500210700002400235700002300259700002200282856010800304 2003 eng d00aDetermining long time-scale hyporheic zone flow paths in Antarctic streams0 aDetermining long timescale hyporheic zone flow paths in Antarcti a1691-17100 v171 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aRunkel, Robert, L.1 aVaughn, Bruce, H. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/determining-long-time-scale-hyporheic-zone-flow-paths-antarctic-streams00614nas a2200157 4500008004100000245010900041210006900150300001400219490000700233100001500240700002400255700001200279700001500291700002500306856012500331 2002 eng d00aDirect observation of aluminosilicate weathering in the hyporheic zone of an Antarctic Dry Valley stream0 aDirect observation of aluminosilicate weathering in the hyporhei a1335-13470 v661 aMaurice, P1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aLeff, L1 aFulghun, J1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/direct-observation-aluminosilicate-weathering-hyporheic-zone-antarctic-dry-valley-stream00760nas a2200229 4500008004100000245012700041210006900168260001200237300001000249490000700259653001100266100002500277700002200302700002100324700002400345700001700369700002400386700001800410700002300428700002000451856005900471 2002 eng d00aSnow patch influence on soil biogeochemical processes and invertebrate distribution in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aSnow patch influence on soil biogeochemical processes and invert c02/2003 a91-990 v3510aBiggie1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aLyons, Berry1 aParsons, Andrew, N.1 aPorazinska, D1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aWall, Diana, H. uhttp://instaar.metapress.com/content/r086455ju7213711/00603nas a2200169 4500008004100000245014000041210006900181260001200250300001400262490000700276653001100283100002500294700002400319700001700343700001200360856006100372 2002 eng d00aWeathering reactions and hyporheic exchange controls on stream water chemistry in a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys0 aWeathering reactions and hyporheic exchange controls on stream w c12/2002 a1279-12960 v3810aBiggie1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aLyons, Berry1 aBlum, A uhttp://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2002/2001WR000834.shtml03621nas a2200133 4500008004100000245010500041210006900146260002700215490001000242520306700252100002503319700002403344856011903368 2001 eng d00aModeling hyporheic exchange influences on biogeochemical processes in dry valley streams, Antarctica0 aModeling hyporheic exchange influences on biogeochemical process bUniversity of Colorado0 vPh.D.3 a

The ephemeral streams of the Dry Valleys of Antarctica provide habitat to benthic algal mats, and greatly control the quantity and quality of glacial melt water that enters closed basin Dry Valley lakes. Dry Valley watersheds are composed of streambeds and adjacent hyporheic zones. Hydrologic exchange of water and solutes between the stream and the hyporheic zone has the overall effect of increasing residence time in the stream/hyporheic system. Biogeochemical reactions (e.g. chemical weathering, nutrient assimilation) occur both in the water column and in the hyporheic zone. Field experiments and solute transport modeling were employed to elucidate the effects of rapid hyporheic exchange on biogeochemical cycling in Antarctic streams. The results presented here show that (1) large portions of the wetted zone that surrounds each stream is a hyporheic zone, and that stream water exchanges into and out of extended portions of this zone on the order of weeks, (2) the rapid exchange of stream water between the water column and the hyporheic zone controls the rate of weathering in streambed sediments, and (3) denitrification in streams is limited by the conversion of NO2 to N2O, while the conversion of NO3 to NO2 occurs very quickly.

1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/modeling-hyporheic-exchange-influences-biogeochemical-processes-dry-valley-streams