02603nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001400041245012400055210006900179260001200248520186200260653001502122653002702137653001902164653002102183653001502204100002202219700002502241700002402266700002602290856006902316 2021 eng d a2169-895300aThe role of hyporheic connectivity in determining nitrogen availability: Insights from an intermittent Antarctic stream0 arole of hyporheic connectivity in determining nitrogen availabil c04/20223 a

Due to widespread manipulation of nitrogen (N), much research has focused on processes controlling the fate of anthropogenic N in streams. Yet, in a variety of oligotrophic systems, N fixed by periphyton is a significant driver of ecosystem metabolism. Due to difficulties partitioning allochthonous and autochthonous sources, there is limited information regarding how the latter is processed. Autochthonous N may be particularly important in alpine, arid, or polar environments. We test the hypothesis that the availability of remineralized autochthonous N is controlled by connectivity between the hyporheic zone and main channel due to the contrasting biogeochemical functions of benthic autotrophs (including N‐fixing Nostoc) and hyporheic heterotrophs in an intermittent Antarctic stream. There, we collected surface water and hyporheic water concurrently at 4‐6 hour intervals over a 32.5‐hr period during one flow season and opportunistically throughout a second. Hyporheic water had 7 to 30 times greater nitrate‐N concentrations relative to surface water across all flow conditions. In contrast, ammonium concentrations were generally lower, although similar among locations. Additionally, nitrate in hyporheic water was positively correlated with silica, an indicator of hyporheic residence time. A laboratory assay confirmed prior inferences that hyporheic microbial communities possess the functional potential to perform nitrification. Together, these findings suggest that remineralized autochthonous N accumulates in the hyporheic zone even as streamflow varies and likely subsidizes stream N availability—which supports prior inferences from N stable isotope data at this site. These results highlight the importance of hyporheic connectivity in controlling autochthonous N cycling and availability in streams.

10aAntarctica10aautochthonous nitrogen10ahyporheic zone10anitrogen cycling10astreamflow1 aSingley, Joel, G.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aHinckley, Eve-Lyn, S. uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021JG00630904273nas 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_S095410201500002402193nas a2200145 4500008004100000245014200041210006900183260004000252300000800292490001000300520162300310100002401933700002401957856006601981 2011 eng d00aRemoval of benthic algae in swift-flowing streams: The significance of spatial and temporal variation in shear stress and bed disturbance0 aRemoval of benthic algae in swiftflowing streams The significanc aBoulder, CObUniversity of Colorado a2630 vPh.D.3 a

 

In this thesis I investigate the role of spatial and temporal dynamics of flow, bed shear stress, and bed disturbance on the removal of benthic algal and the consequences for our understanding of the dynamics of stream ecosystems and the transport of organic matter in fluvial systems. I use data obtained from two specific case studies where benthic algal mats are key components in the overall system dynamics. The first case study investigates spatial and temporal variations in particular organic matter transport derived from the removal of benthic algae in a stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The second case study uses a combination of field observations and analysis, one and two dimensional hydraulic modeling, and laboratory flume studies to investigate the controls on the removal of the stalk forming diatom Didymosphenia geminata. The results show that benthic algae growing in swift-flowing streams are well adapted to this environment. Hence the removal of organic material due to elevated shear stress alone is limited and effective control of nuisance blooms of benthic algae such as D. geminata requires flood events sufficiently high enough to results in wide spread disturbance of the stream substrate. These flow requirements are similar to the requirements for channel maintenance flows and could therefore be considered for inclusion in the operating rules for dams in order to maintain the diversity of stream ecosystems and functioning water supply infrastructure.

 

1 aCullis, James, D.S.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://search.proquest.com/docview/916604693?accountid=1450300763nas a2200205 4500008004100000245013200041210006900173260001200242300001200254490000700266100002400273700002000297700002400317700002000341700001600361700002400377700001700401700001900418856012000437 2007 eng d00aReactivation of a cryptobiotic stream ecosystem in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: A long-term geomorphological experiment0 aReactivation of a cryptobiotic stream ecosystem in the McMurdo D c09/2007 a186-2040 v891 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aTate, Cathy, M.1 aAndrews, Edmund, D.1 aNiyogi, Dev, K.1 aCozzetto, K1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aLyons, Berry1 aCapone, D., G. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/reactivation-cryptobiotic-stream-ecosystem-mcmurdo-dry-valleys-antarctica-long-term00568nas 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-stream00772nas a2200253 4500008004100000245004700041210004700088300001200135490000800147100002000155700001900175700002700194700002700221700002400248700002100272700002100293700001700314700002400331700002400355700002400379700002300403700002000426856007200446 2002 eng d00aRecent Temperature Trends in the Antarctic0 aRecent Temperature Trends in the Antarctic a291-2920 v4181 aWalsh, John, E.1 aClow, Gary, D.1 aFritsen, Christian, H.1 aMcKay, Christopher, P.1 aParsons, Andrew, N.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aLyons, Berry1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aMoorhead, Daryl, L.1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aWall, Diana, H. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/recent-temperature-trends-antarctic00492nas a2200121 4500008004100000245008000041210006900121260002700190490000900217100002100226700002400247856009900271 2001 eng d00aRegrowth of cyanobacterial mats in Greek Creek and the impact of ecotourism0 aRegrowth of cyanobacterial mats in Greek Creek and the impact of bUniversity of Colorado0 vM.S.1 aChatfield, Ethan1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/regrowth-cyanobacterial-mats-greek-creek-and-impact-ecotourism00661nas a2200145 4500008004100000245017000041210006900211300001200280490000700292653002100299100001900320700002400339700002400363856012800387 2001 eng d00aRetrospective simulation of lake level rise in Lake Bonney based on recent 21-year record: indication of recent climate change in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aRetrospective simulation of lake level rise in Lake Bonney based a477-4920 v2510aClimate Response1 aBomblies, Arne1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aAndrews, Edmund, D. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/retrospective-simulation-lake-level-rise-lake-bonney-based-recent-21-year-record-indication