02809nas 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/10.1029/2020JG00609703399nas 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/10.1029/2020JG005679