Ecological investigations of the influence of a polluted river on surrounding interstitial underground waters

Meštrov, Milan; Lattinger-Penko, Romana

doi:10.5038/1827-806x.9.3.10

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Distinct regions of the HZ are affected by river pollution indicating variable exchange with SW (Mestrov and Lattinger-Penko, 1977). The HZ of site A, characterized by higher DO and lower NH þ 4 values than site C, led us to assume that nitrification was the dominant step in the nitrogen cycle (Valett et al, 1990;Grimm et al, 1991;Jones et al, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of the hyporheic zone in the nitrogen dynamics of a semi‐arid gravel bed stream located downstream of a heavily polluted reservoir (Tafna wadi, Algeria)

Taleb

Belaidi

Sánchez‐Pérez

et al. 2008

River Research & Apps

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Nitrogen retention was measured along the Tafna wadi downstream of a heavily polluted reservoir in North-West Algeria to understand the role of the hyporheic zone (HZ) in nitrogen dynamics. Nutrient concentrations were measured monthly for 2 years within the bed sediments of a 300 m reach located 20 km downstream from the dam. Due to strong hydrological fluctuations hyporheic water was analysed during natural low and high water (HW) periods, and during water reservoir releases. Nutrient concentrations in surface water (SW) increased during water releases and in the HZ during the low water (LW) periods. Surface/hyporheic water interactions were characterized by determining the vertical hydraulic gradient (VHG) and the chemical signature of the ground water (GW). The latter was obtained from regional GW monitoring. Hyporheic chemistry was strongly influenced by patterns of surface flow. Hyporheic and SWs had similar chloride concentrations during high flow when they were significantly lower than those of the regional GW. GW was generally richer in nitrates and nitrites, but was lower in ammonium concentrations than interstitial and river waters. Nitrates decreased significantly from upstream to downstream within the HZ throughout the hydrological period even though temporal fluctuations were high. Ammonium concentrations in interstitial water (IW) were significantly higher than in SW and generally increased from upstream to downstream. This study demonstrates the importance of the HZ in altering the dissolved inorganic nitrogen composition and concentrations of heavily polluted arid streams. The study is of interest because it documents a large 'natural experiment' that being the effect of periodic water release from a reservoir with serious water quality problems on the water quality dynamics (particularly nitrogen) of subsurface and SWs downstream.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of the hyporheic zone in the nitrogen dynamics of a semi‐arid gravel bed stream located downstream of a heavily polluted reservoir (Tafna wadi, Algeria)

Taleb

Belaidi

Sánchez‐Pérez

et al. 2008

River Research & Apps

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“…the hyporheic and phreatic communities are affected gradually and can eventually be eliminated by oxygen Anthropogenically induced disruptions of depletion caused by the microbial degradation of hydrological exchange processes and their imported organic matter (Husmann, 1975;Danielopol, ecological consequences 1976;Pieper, 1976;Mestrov & Lattinger-Penko, 1977/ 78, 1981Kirchengast, 1984). However, slight increases The ecological integrity of alluvial hydrosystems is impacted by several, often interacting, human activitin organic matter supply may enhance the abundance of stygobionts which exist naturally in a nutrient-poor ies.…”

Section: The Surface Water-groundwater Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hyporheic import of degradable organic material in The interstitial flow through a heterogeneous sedistreams contaminated by sewage effluents can induce ment matrix interacts with the river water and the oxygen depletion and anaerobic conditions (Pieper, groundwater to various degrees along its complex 1976; Mestrov & Lattinger-Penko, 1977/78, 1981; flowpaths. Water composed of a wide spectrum of Kirchengast, 1984).…”

Section: Physicochemical Gradients At the Surfacegroundwater Interfacmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecological significance of exchange processes between rivers and groundwater

1997

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S U M M A R Y1. This review focuses on the connectivity between river and groundwater ecosystems, viewing them as linked components of a hydrological continuum. Ecological processes that maintain the integrity of both systems and those that are mediated by their ecotones are evaluated. 2. The hyporheic zone, as the connecting ecotone, shows diverse gradients. Thus it can be characterized by hydrological, chemical, zoological and metabolic criteria. However, the characteristics of the hyporheic zone tend to vary widely in space and time as well as from system to system. The exact limits are difficult to designate and the construction of static concepts is inadequate for the representation of ecological processes. The hyporheic interstices are functionally a part of both the fluvial and groundwater ecosystems. 3. The permeability of the ecotone depends on the hydraulic conductivity of the sediment layers which, because of their heterogeneity, form many flowpath connections between the stream and the catchment, from the small scale of a single microhabitat to the large scale of an entire alluvial aquifer. Local up-and downwellings are determined by geomorphologic features such as streambed topography, whereas large-scale exchange processes are determined mainly by the geological properties of the catchment. Colmation-clogging of the top layer of the channel sediments-includes all processes leading to a reduction of pore volume, consolidation of the sediment matrix, and decreased permeability of the stream bed. Consequently, colmation can hinder exchange processes between surface water and groundwater. 4. Physicochemical gradients in the interstices result from several processes: (i) hyporheic flow pattern and the different properties of surface and groundwaters; (ii) retention, caused by the filtering effect of pore size and lithologic sorption as well as the transient storage of solutes caused by diminished water velocities; (iii) biogeochemical transformations in conjunction with local residence time. Each physicochemical parameter may develop its own vertical dynamics laterally from the active channel into the banks as well as longitudinally because of geomorphologic changes. 5. The river-groundwater interface can act as a source or sink for dissolved organic matter, depending on the volume and direction of flow, dissolved organic carbon concentrations and biotic activity. Interstitial storage of particulate organic matter is influenced mainly by grain size distribution and by spates involving bedload movement that may import or release matter, depending on the season. After initial transient and abiotic storage, hyporheic organic matter is mobilized and transformed by the biota. 2 M. Brunke and T. GonserMicro-organisms account for over 90% of the community respiration. In subterranean waters most bacteria are attached to surfaces and remain in a biofilm. 6. Hyporheic interstices are functionally significant for phreatic and riverine metazoans because they act as a refuge against adverse conditions. The net flo...

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“…Bisherige Ermittlungen von Gesamtbakterienzahlen des Grundwassers im Rahmen akologischer Fragestellungen erfolgten durch Bestimmung von "Keimzahlen» (z.B. Wolters & Schwartz, 1956, Farkasdi et aI., 1969, Golwer et aI., 1972, Mestrov & Lattinger-Penko, 1977. Dabei ist zu berucksichtigen, dass so nur ein Teil, meist sogar nur ein kleiner Teil, der Bakterien erfasst wird (vgI.…”

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Fluoreszenzmikroskopische Untersuchung der Bakterienflora und Bestimmung ihrer heterotrophen Aktiviät in organisch belastetem und unbelastetem Grundwasser sandig-kiesiger Ablagerungen

Marxsen¹

1981

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Ecological investigations of the influence of a polluted river on surrounding interstitial underground waters

Cited by 9 publications

References 1 publication

The role of the hyporheic zone in the nitrogen dynamics of a semi‐arid gravel bed stream located downstream of a heavily polluted reservoir (Tafna wadi, Algeria)

The role of the hyporheic zone in the nitrogen dynamics of a semi‐arid gravel bed stream located downstream of a heavily polluted reservoir (Tafna wadi, Algeria)

The ecological significance of exchange processes between rivers and groundwater

Fluoreszenzmikroskopische Untersuchung der Bakterienflora und Bestimmung ihrer heterotrophen Aktiviät in organisch belastetem und unbelastetem Grundwasser sandig-kiesiger Ablagerungen

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