River Corridor Hydrobiogeochemistry from Reaction to Basin Scale
EMSL Project ID
60624
Abstract
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Environmental System Science River Corridor Scientific Focus Area (RCSFA) (https://sbrsfa.pnnl.gov/) will transform understanding of spatial and temporal dynamics in river corridor hydrobiogeochemical functions from reaction to watershed and basin scales, thus enabling mechanistic representation of river corridor processes and their response to disturbances in multiscale models of integrated hydrobiogeochemical function. In the current funding period (fiscal years [FY]21–24), we have expanded the scope of our integrated field, laboratory, and numerical modeling studies to the Yakima River Basin while also using community collaborations to extend to multiple basins across the contiguous United States (CONUS). Our research focuses on understanding the controls on spatial and temporal variations in river corridor hydrobiogeochemistry, hydrobiogeochemical responses to wildfires and precipitation, and representation of river corridor hydrobiogeochemistry in numerical models from reaction to basin scales. The project’s goals are aligned with the objective of DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) to improve scientific understanding and prediction of the function of natural and managed watersheds and their responses to disturbances. Wildfires have become increasingly prevalent under conditions of higher temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns, especially in the western U.S., and in other regions nationally. To robustly predict changes in watershed function in response to future disturbances, and how those changes will affect water quality and ecosystem health, we must develop mechanistic understanding of governing processes and embody that new knowledge within integrated numerical models of key watershed components across a range of conditions and scales. Our scientific grand challenge is to Understand and quantify processes governing the cumulative effects of hydrologic exchange flow (HEF), organic matter (OM) chemistry, microbial activity, and disturbances on river corridor hydrobiogeochemical functions at watershed to basin scales. To meet this grand challenge we pursue the following overarching science questions:
1. How do HEFs, OM chemistry, microbial activity, and disturbances interactively influence river corridor hydrobiogeochemical function from reaction to basin scales?
2. How can mechanisms that govern river corridor hydrobiogeochemistry be efficiently and sufficiently represented in integrated land surface models at scales relevant to regional and national water challenges?
Project Details
Start Date
2022-11-10
End Date
2023-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator(s)
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