Collaborative Research: Seston Contributions to metabolism Across Longitudinal Ecosystems (SCALE)-- Dynamics of Organic Particles in River Networks

合作研究：Seston对纵向生态系统代谢的贡献（SCALE）--河流网络中有机颗粒的动力学溪流和河流不断输送来自森林、高地土壤和河床藻类等来源的微观有机颗粒。这些颗粒很重要，因为它们（1）将食物能量从源头带到更大的溪流和河流，（2）通过河流系统运输污染物，（3）将有机碳从陆地生态系统转移到海洋生态系统。 这项研究提出了关于运输中颗粒有机碳的三个基本问题：它是否可生物降解，它在下游旅行多远，以及它在多大程度上支持大型溪流和河流中的生命？为了回答这些问题，我们组建了一个具有河流生态学，有机地球化学，水文工程和数学建模专业知识的研究团队，该团队将对颗粒进行化学和生物学表征，确定控制悬浮和沉积的重要水动力过程，并构建一个数学模型，模拟颗粒在下游移动时的生成，运输和分解。 斯特劳德水研究中心的教育工作人员将开发课程，为初中和高中课堂，介绍在水产科学的大框架建模。教育工作者将与研究人员合作开发课程和模型，从概念图到数学模拟。由于这项研究将强调源头在补贴较大溪流和河流方面的作用，因此其结果应有助于指导有关保护上游生态系统的政策。 研究结果将汇总给地方流域协会，以便向公众传播，并与向立法助手提供技术信息的国家保护组织分享。

Collaborative Research: Seston Contributions to metabolism Across Longitudinal Ecosystems (SCALE)--Dynamics of Organic Particles in River NetworksStreams and rivers continually transport microscopic organic particles that originate from sources such as forests, upland soils, and streambed algae. These particles are important because they (1) carry food-energy from headwaters to larger streams and rivers, (2) transport pollutants through river systems, and (3) transfer organic carbon from terrestrial to marine ecosystems. This research asks three fundamental questions about particulate organic carbon in transport: is it biodegradable, how far downstream does it travel, and to what extent does it support life in larger streams and rivers? To answer these questions, we have assembled a research team with expertise in stream ecology, organic geochemistry, hydrologic engineering, and mathematical modeling that will perform chemical and biological characterizations of the particles, identify the important hydrodynamic processes controlling suspension and deposition, and construct a mathematical model that simulates the generation, transport, and decomposition of particles as they move downstream. Stroud Water Research Center Education staff will develop curricula for middle- and high school classrooms which introduce modeling within the larger framework of aquatic sciences. The educators will work with researchers to develop the curricula and models, which range from conceptual diagrams to mathematical simulations. Because this research will emphasize the role of headwaters in subsidizing larger streams and rivers, the result should help guide policy regarding the protection of upstream ecosystems. Research results will be summarized for local watershed associations for dissemination to the public, and shared with national conservation organizations that provide technical information to legislative aides.