The influence of hierarchical and multiscale river morphology and sediment heterogeneity on hyporheic exchange processes

溶质、热量和其他溶解成分沿着河流相互作用，使河水和地下水混合，这通常被称为潜流交换。潜流带内的过程有可能减轻河流中的污染物负荷并改善水质。这些过程取决于河道的形状和沉积物类型的分布，因此在空间和时间上有所不同。该项目将结合创新的实地测量和先进的计算机模型，以深入了解沉积物异质性和河道形态对溶质通量和养分循环的影响。该研究结果将在水资源管理中具有实际应用价值，并将指导优化地表水和地下水质量的策略。该项目将使用辛辛那提大学的泰斯环境监测和建模站点。现场的动手活动将激发学生的兴趣，并为他们从事与水相关的STEM职业做好准备。一群不同的K-12学生将通过与辛辛那提博物馆中心合作开发的水项目获得实践经验。该项目的目标是深入了解多尺度沉积物异质性和河道形态如何控制潜流交换过程，并提高数值模型预测潜流通量空间格局、溶质停留时间和由此产生的生物地球化学转化的能力。该项目将利用创新的实地观测来开发和验证多尺度数值模型。该项目将解决几个主要目标：(1)量化多尺度河流形态和相关地层结构对潜流通量和溶质停留时间的控制影响，并确定尺度的相关性；(2)确定多尺度河流形态和地层构型对潜沉带生物地球化学反应动力学的影响；(3)确定哪些异质性和形态属性对理解和准确预测隐性交换过程最为重要。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Solutes, heat, and other dissolved constituents interact along rivers as river water and groundwater mix, often referred to as hyporheic exchange. Processes within the hyporheic zone have the potential to mitigate contaminant loads in rivers and improve water quality. These processes depend on the shape of the channel and the distribution of sediment types and thus vary across space and time. This project will combine innovative field measurements with advanced computer models to provide insights into the influence of sediment heterogeneity and river channel morphology on solute fluxes and nutrient cycling. Results of this research will have practical applications in water resource management, and will guide strategies to optimize both surface water and groundwater quality. The project will use the Theis Environmental Monitoring and Modeling Site at the University of Cincinnati. Hands-on activities at the site will stimulate student interest, and prepare them for water-related STEM careers. A diverse group of K-12 students will receive hands-on experience through a water program developed in partnership with the Cincinnati Museum Center.The project goal is to provide insights into how multiscale sediment heterogeneity and river channel morphology control hyporheic exchange processes, and to improve the capacity of numerical models to predict spatial patterns of hyporheic flux, solute residence times, and resulting biogeochemical transformations. The project will utilize innovative field observations to develop and validate multiscale numerical models. The project will address several primary goals: (1) quantify the controlling influence of multiscale fluvial forms and associated stratal architecture on hyporheic flux and solute residence times, and determine the relevance of scales; (2) determine how multiscale fluvial forms and stratal architecture influence biogeochemical reaction dynamics within the hyporheic zone; and (3) identify which heterogeneity and morphologic attributes are most essential for understanding and accurately predicting hyporheic exchange processes.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.