Physicochemical Patterns within a Hyporheic Zone of a Northern Michigan River, with Comments on Surface Water Patterns

Abstract

Interstitial temperature and chemistry were examined longitudinally and with depth in a hyporheic zone beneath a riffle–pool sequence of a third-order, sand-bottom river in northern Michigan (USA). Longitudinal and depth patterns were compared with surface and groundwater chemistries at the site and with surface chemistry over a 10-km length of the river. Interstitial water was more characteristic of surface water at the upstream end of the hyporheic zone and of groundwater at the downstream end. Hyporheic longitudinal and depth patterns occurred for temperature, chloride, silica, soluble reactive phosphorus, and winter dissolved oxygen. Dissolved organic carbon decreased with depth, but not with longitudinal distance downstream within the hyporheic zone. Hyporheic nitrate and ammonium patterns were variable, but concentrations generally increased downstream. Hyporheic specific conductance and alkalinity decreased with distance downstream, but not with depth. Gradients for temperature, chloride, silica, nitrate, and phosphate over the 10-km surface water reach were similar to those observed within the single hyporheic zone. Hyporheic chemistry patterns were consistent with models of underflow through porous substrata implying ground water/surface water interaction. Importance of the hyporheic zone should not be overlooked in solute transport or stream nutrient budgets.

Nitrogen dynamics in rural streams : differences between geomorphologic units

“…These latter units show similar hydrological pattern with surface water infiltration upstream and interstitial water upwelling downstream ( Figure 3A). Similar patterns were observed in many streams with riffle-pool sequences (Vaux 1968, Triska et al 1990, Valett et al 1990, Hendricks & White 1991, Stanford & Ward 1993, Wroblicky et al 1998.…”

“…To locate downwelling and upwelling zones, Vertical Hydraulic Gradient (VHG; Lee & Cherry 1978) was measured in mini-piezometers (1 m long and 1.7 cm diameter) at 10 cm deep inside sediments, due to technical limit (Boulton 1993). VHG was calculated using water levels inside (interstitial water) and outside (surface water) the mini-piezometers and ex- pressed in percent of the sampling depth (Winter et al 1988, Hendricks & White 1991. The first five centimetres of sediments were then sampled using a Plexiglas core (30 cm long and 4 cm diameter).…”

“…These vertical exchanges induce contrasted physicochemical characteristics of interstitial water (Marmonier & Dole 1986, Hendricks & White 1991, Dole-Olivier & Marmonier 1992. High oxygen content in downwelling zone of riffles and bars is a consequence of surface water infiltration.…”

“…Many studies demonstrated that rivers exchange water with their sediments (Vaux 1968, Hendricks & White 1991, Stanford & Ward 1993 and pointed out the central role of these vertical exchanges in chemical and biological processes. When surface water infiltrates inside bottom sediment, dissolved oxygen is brought to the biofilms that cover particles and aerobic processes are stimulated.…”

Expositions d'oeufs de truite commune (Salmo trutta) à des hypoxies temporaires ou continue : effets sur la branchie, la résorption de la vésicule vitelline et les caractéristiques morphométriques des alevins

“…La perméabilité des graviers et le renouvellement de l'eau dans la poche d'oeufs sont des paramètres de survie essentiels puisqu'ils conditionnent l'oxygénation correcte des embryons lors de leur développement (VAUX, 1962 ;BESCHTA et JACKSON, 1979 ;HENDRICKS et WHITE, 1991) et permettent l'évacuation des déchets azotés issus du métabolisme. Plusieurs études en milieu naturel (PAUWELS et HAINES, 1994 ;RUBIN, 1995 ;PETERSON et QUINN, 1996 ;MASSA et al, 1998) ou en conditions contrôlées (bief, MARTY et al, 1986) ont mesuré les teneurs en oxygène à proximité des oeufs.…”