The biogeochemical functioning and importance of coastal zone groundwater connectivity

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Coastal environments worldwide are subject to increasing pressures from rapid population growth and diversifying resource use. At the same time, these environments experience variations in natural processeswith both terrestrial and marine originsthat act over wide magnitude and frequency scales. Because of the strong interactions between the coastal aquifer and the ocean, changes in terrestrial inputs have significant local- and regional-scale impacts on coastal biogeochemical cycles. The goal of my research program is to develop a theoretical framework to understand the biogeochemical functioning and importance of coastal zone groundwater connectivity. My program is based on a site-specific approach, but I expect that this quantitative approach will allow us to advance and refine the theoretical framework and thus improve our predictions on the response of coastal zone groundwater connectivity to global changes and the resulting effects on the oceanic system and human society over climate-relevant timescales. My research program is framed within the landocean continuum concept, with specific short-term objectives related to the mineralization and flux estimation of carbon derived from beach groundwater (objective 1), to the past's depositional imprint on present biogeochemical processes (objective 2), and to the calibration of potential biogeochemical archives to reconstruct past variations of submarine discharge (objective 3). This new program will lead to a unique scientific expertise in coastal sciences by combining hydrogeological, geochemical, and microbiological approaches and concepts. The research activities will involve the training of two PhD and two MSc students as well as the support of five undergraduate summer positions. It will include cutting-edge issues, technologies, skills, and international collaborations that will be transferred to HQP as part of their training. This research will contribute to the sustainable planning and management of coastal resources by 1) developing fundamental knowledge on the functioning of coastal zone groundwater connectivity; 2) developing new tools to establish long baseline conditions for coastal monitoring; 3) anticipating future impacts of sea-level rise on coastal ecosystems; (4) training a new generation of highly qualified personnel with solid expertise in environmental chemistry and the ability to use state-of-the-art analytical tools; (5) contributing to the Ocean Protection Plan of the Government of Canada; and (6) transferring empirical and theoretical knowledge to local, regional, and provincial decision-makers.