Predicting microbial redox dynamics and nutrient cycling in the subsurface considering spatio-temporal heterogeneities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swamini Khurana ◽  
Falk Heße ◽  
Martin Thullner
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Biogeochemical Cycles ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Microbial Dynamics ◽  
Nitrogen Budgets ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Cycles

<p>Biogeochemical cycles are extensively studied as they control the flow of matter (carbon and nitrogen, specifically) up to the global scale, further impacting ecosystem functions and services. To be able to predict carbon and nitrogen budgets, it is necessary to study carbon and nitrogen cycles in all compartments of the biosphere, from forests to water, to soil and deep subsurface. Since the soil and deeper subsurface compartments store a high share of the global carbon and nitrogen budget, it is necessary to study the carbon and nitrogen cycles in the subsurface at a higher resolution. Given the spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics exhibited by the subsurface, coupled with lack of observational opportunities, the prediction of these cycles in the subsurface is a challenge. For this purpose, this study aims to resolve microbial mediated carbon and nitrogen dynamics in the subsurface with respect to spatial and temporal heterogeneity using a numerical modeling approach. The model considers the response of microbial growth and activity to varying environmental conditions such as access to nutrients and energy sources.</p><p>The obtained results show a linear relationship between the relative impact on carbon and nitrogen removal and relative difference in breakthrough times between homogeneous scenarios and the spatially heterogeneous scenarios. In contrast, the temporal dynamics of changing flow rates induces minimal aggregated impact on the carbon and nitrogen cycles in the subsurface. This implies that short term temporal dynamics do little to influence the long-term nutrient cycles, given the same average water flux through the entire simulation period. The findings of this study can assist in identification of drivers of microbial dynamics and nutrient cycling in the Critical Zone. This, in turn, can assist towards the regional scale modeling of biogeochemical cycles resulting from microbial dynamics.</p>

Investigation of the Contribution of Natural Organic Runoff to Dissolved Oxygen Depletion in the Red Deer River

1979 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-88
Author(s):  
S.E. Penttinen ◽  
P.H. Bouthillier ◽  
S.E. Hrudey
Keyword(s):  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Nitrogen Budgets ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Tributary Stream ◽  
Small Tributary

Abstract Studies on the chronic low dissolved oxygen problems encountered under winter ice in the Red Deer River have generally been unable to account for dissolved oxygen depletion in terms of known manmade inputs. An experimental program was developed to assess the possible nature and approximate bounds of oxygen demand due to natural organic runoff carried to the Red Deer River by a small tributary stream, the Blindman River. The study employed an electrolytic respirometer on stream water samples subjected to prior concentration by vacuum evaporation. Evaluation of carbon and nitrogen budgets in conjunction with the measured oxygen demand indicate that biochemical oxygen demand is originating with natural organic runoff in tributaries of the Red Deer River. The results provide a basis for estimation of the possible contribution to the observed oxygen demand in the Red Deer River originating from natural organic runoff.

scholarly journals Methodology for classifying the ecosystem integrity of forests in Germany using quantified indicators

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Jenssen ◽  
Stefan Nickel ◽  
Winfried Schröder
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
National Park ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Atmospheric Nitrogen ◽  
Complete Coverage ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
Quantitative Indicators

Abstract Background Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and climate change can have impacts on ecological structures and functions, and thus on the integrity of ecosystems and their services. Operationalization of ecosystem integrity is still an important desideratum. Results A methodology for classifying the ecosystem integrity of forests in Germany under the influence of climate change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition is presented. The methodology was based on 14 indicators for six ecosystem functions: habitat function, net primary function, carbon sequestration, nutrient and water flux, resilience. It allows assessments of ecosystem integrity changes by comparing current or prospective ecosystem states with ecosystem-type-specific reference states as described by quantitative indicators for 61 forest ecosystem types based on data before 1990. Conclusion The method developed enables site-specific classifications of ecosystem integrity as well as classifications with complete coverage and determinations of temporal trends as shown using examples from the Thuringian Forest and the “Kellerwald-Edersee” National Park (Germany).

scholarly journals Investigating the Spatio-Temporal Variation of Soil Moisture and Agricultural Drought towards Supporting Water Resources Management in the Red River Basin of Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4926
Author(s):  
Nguyen Duc Luong ◽  
Nguyen Hoang Hiep ◽  
Thi Hieu Bui
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Red River ◽  
Agricultural Drought ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Red River Basin ◽  
Spatio Temporal

The increasing serious droughts recently might have significant impacts on socioeconomic development in the Red River basin (RRB). This study applied the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model to investigate spatio-temporal dynamics of soil moisture in the northeast, northwest, and Red River Delta (RRD) regions of the RRB part belongs to territory of Vietnam. The soil moisture dataset simulated for 10 years (2005–2014) was utilized to establish the soil moisture anomaly percentage index (SMAPI) for assessing intensity of agricultural drought. Soil moisture appeared to co-vary with precipitation, air temperature, evapotranspiration, and various features of land cover, topography, and soil type in three regions of the RRB. SMAPI analysis revealed that more areas in the northeast experienced severe droughts compared to those in other regions, especially in the dry season and transitional months. Meanwhile, the northwest mainly suffered from mild drought and a slightly wet condition during the dry season. Different from that, the RRD mainly had moderately to very wet conditions throughout the year. The areas of both agricultural and forested lands associated with severe drought in the dry season were larger than those in the wet season. Generally, VIC-based soil moisture approach offered a feasible solution for improving soil moisture and agricultural drought monitoring capabilities at the regional scale.

Carbon and nitrogen budgets of a winter rapeseed field in Estonia: a methodology for the quantification of all relevant pools and fluxes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordi Escuer-Gatius ◽  
Krista Lõhmus ◽  
Merrit Shanskiy ◽  
Karin Kauer ◽  
Hanna Vahter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Balance Method ◽  
Nitrogen Budgets ◽  
N Cycle ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Mass Balance Method ◽  
C Cycle ◽  
Winter Rapeseed ◽  
C And N

<p>Agricultural activities can have several adverse impacts on the environment; such as important greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To implement effective mitigation measures and create effective policies, it is necessary to know the full carbon and nitrogen budgets of agro-ecosystems. However, very often, information regarding the pools or fluxes involved in the carbon and nitrogen cycles is limited, and essential complementary data needed for a proper interpretation is lacking.</p><p>This study aimed to quantify all the relevant pools and fluxes of a winter rapeseed, a widely spread crop in the Europe and Baltic regions. The N<sub>2</sub>O and CH<sub>4</sub> fluxes were measured weekly using the closed static chamber method from August 2016 to August 2017 in a winter rapeseed field in Central Estonia. Additionally, nutrient leaching and soil chemical parameters, as well as environmental parameters like soil moisture, electrical conductivity and temperature were monitored. At the end of the season, the rapeseed and weed biomasses were collected, weighed and analyzed. The remaining relevant fluxes in the N cycle were calculated using various non-empirical methods: NH<sub>3</sub> volatilization was estimated from slurry and environmental parameters, N deposition and NO<sub>x</sub> emissions were obtained from national reports, and N<sub>2</sub> emissions were calculated with the mass balance method. Regarding the C cycle, gross primary production (GPP) of the rapeseed field was also calculated by the mass balance method. Simultaneously, for comparison and validation purposes, GPP was estimated from the data provided by MOD17A2H v006 series from NASA, and N<sub>2</sub> was estimated from the measured emissions of N<sub>2</sub>O using the N<sub>2</sub>:N<sub>2</sub>O ratio calculated from the DAYCENT model equations.</p><p>N<sub>2</sub> emissions and GPP were the biggest fluxes in the N and C cycles, respectively. N<sub>2</sub> emissions were followed by N extracted with plant biomass in the N cycle, while in the carbon cycle soil and plant respiration and NPP were the highest fluxes after GPP. The carbon balance was positive at the soil level, with a net increase in soil carbon during the period, mainly due to GPP carbon capture. Contrarily, the nitrogen balance resulted in a net loss of N due to the losses related to gaseous emissions (N<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O) and leaching.</p><p>To conclude, it was possible to close the C and N budgets, despite the inherent difficulties of estimating the different C and N environmental pools and fluxes, and the uncertainties deriving from some of the fluxes estimations.</p>

Predicting change in biogeochemical potential of subsurface systems with changing hydrogeological conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swamini Khurana ◽  
Falk Heße ◽  
Martin Thullner
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Reaction Network ◽  
Climate Scenario ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
External Forcing ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
The Impact

<p>In a changing climate scenario, we expect weather event patterns to change, both in frequency and in intensity. The subsequent impacts of these changing patterns on ecosystem functions are of great interest. Water quality particularly is critical due to public health concerns. Already, seasonal variation of water quality has been attributed to varying microbial community assemblages and nutrient loading in the corresponding water body but the contribution of the variations in the quantity of groundwater recharge is a missing link. It is thus beneficial to establish links between external forcing such as changing infiltration rate or recharge on nutrient cycling in the subsurface. We undertake this study to investigate the impact of temporal variation in external forcing on the biogeochemical potential of spatially heterogeneous subsurface systems using a numerical modeling approach. We used geostatistical tools to generate spatial random fields by considering difference combinations of the variance in the log conductivity field and the anisotropy of the domain. Tuning these two parameters assists in effective representation of a wide variety of geologic materials with varying intensity of preferential flow paths in the heterogeneous domain. We ran simulations using OGS#BRNS that enables us to combine a flexibly defined microbial mediated reaction network with the mentioned spatially heterogeneous domains in transient conditions. We propose that a combination of estimated field indicators of Damköhler number, Peclet number (transformed Damköhler number: Da<sub>t</sub>), and projected temporal dynamics in surface conditions can assist us in predicting the change in biogeochemical potential of the subsurface system. Preliminary results indicate that we miss potentially critical variations in reactive species concentration if we neglect spatio-temporal heterogeneities for regimes where 1<Da<sub>t</sub><40. For regimes characterized by values outside this range, we propose that spatio-temporal heterogeneities due to subsurface structure and changing hydrological forcing may not be relevant.</p>

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