Project Info

Changes in Groundwater and Surface-Water Exchange within Mountain Streams Due to Logjams

The primary goal of this research is to determine the changes in groundwater-surface water exchange flows (sometime called “hyporheic exchange flows”) due to logjams. Specifically, we look to collect and perform an analysis of data from the field and in a large flume, and will introduce salt water and/or dyes and use instrumentation to watch these water tracers move. The reason this project is interesting is because this area between groundwater and surface water has an important impact on a stream’s ecosystems because it increases the time of stream water in the system and transfers dissolved oxygen, solutes, and nutrients into the subsurface, increasing important processes like denitrification, metal uptake, and thermal buffering for fish refugia. Therefore, quantifying hyporheic exchange flow is important for maintaining hospitable environments for microorganism and macroinvertebrates, which potentially improves water quality. Logjams likely increase hyporheic exchange flow in streams.

For more information:
Ward, A. S., Gooseff, M. N. & Singha, K. Imaging hyporheic zone solute transport using electrical resistivity. Hydrol. Process. 24, 948–953 (2010).

Boano, F., Harvey, J. W., Marion, A., Packman, A. I., Revelli, R., Ridolfi, L., and Wörman, A. ( 2014), Hyporheic flow and transport processes: Mechanisms, models, and biogeochemical implications, Rev. Geophys., 52, 603– 679.

Sawyer, A. H., B. Cardenas, M., & Buttles, J. (2011). Hyporheic exchange due to channel-spanning logs. Water Resources Research, 47(8).

Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water

Student Preparation

Qualifications

Ideally, students joining this project would have some experience in a coding language (e.g., MATLAB, R, or Python). Students should have an interest in earth sciences broadly, as our project will cover hydrology, geophysics, ecology, and/or geomorphology. We are looking for a student who is hardworking, responsible and careful, due to the nature of working in the laboratory and field with unique equipment. They are also need to be okay getting dirty!

Time Commitment

4-5 hours/week

Skills/Techniques Gained

• Analysis of statistical distributions
• An understanding of geophysical data analysis
• An introduction to inverse modeling
• Stream tracer test methods
• Breakthrough curve analysis
• Coordinating/collaborating with an inter-institutional and interdisciplinary group
• Hands on coding to answer scientific questions
• Introduction to stream hydrology and critical zone science
• And if interested, introduction to numerical flow modeling

Mentoring Plan

The intern will meet weekly, at a minimum, with their faculty advisor and/or graduate student mentor during their time with the group; however, they can contact either of us at either time for additional support. The meetings will serve to monitor the progress of the intern and for the mentor/advisor and student to talk about upcoming plans and potential issues. We hope these meetings will help ensure the quality of the project, assist the student in developing their scientific skillset, and provide a forum for career development discussions.