2 Water Quality and Biogeochemistry Before and After the Los Conchas Fire, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico

Wednesday, 9 May 2012
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Alvarado F&G

HYPORHEIC DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON DYNAMICS IN VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVE, 2010-2011

Paper number: 2-3
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Authors

Abstract

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a complex suite of organic compounds present in natural ecosystems, and is particularly studied in river systems. The hyporheic zone (HZ), a region of surface water-shallow groundwater exchange, has been identified as a hotspot of DOC processing and is generally regarded as a net sink of organic matter. More recent studies into riverine DOC have shifted to examining DOC quality rather than bulk quantity. DOC quality variability has been linked to hydrologic and climatic variability, both focuses of current climate change research. DOC quality dynamics of a meander bend in the East Fork Jemez River were observed between July 2010 and Sept 2011, including before and after the Las Conchas fire. As analyzed by multiple metrics, DOC quality provides insight into the extent and nature of seasonal surface water-subsurface biochemical interactions.