Improving predictions of fine particle immobilization in streams
Geophysical Research Letters
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Abstract
Fine particles are critical to stream ecosystem functioning, influencing in-stream processes from pathogen transmission to carbon cycling, all of which depend on particle immobilization. However, our ability to predict particle immobilization is limited by: (1) availability of combined solute and particle tracer data and (2) identifying parameters that appropriately represent fine particle immobilization, due to the myriad of objective functions and model formulations. We found that improved predictions of the full distribution of possible fine particle residence times requires using an objective function that assesses both the peak and tailing together with solute tracers to constrain in-stream transport processes. The representation of immobilization processes was significantly improved when solute tracer data were combined with a particle model, starkly contrasting the common assumption that fine particles transport as washload. We develop a clear strategy for improving fine particle transport predictions, reshaping the potential role of fine particles in water quality management.
Suggested Citation
Drummond, J.D., Schmadel, N., Kelleher, C., Packman, A.I., Ward, A.S., 2019, Improving predictions of fine particle immobilization in streams: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 46, no. 23, p. 13,853-13,861, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL085849.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Improving predictions of fine particle immobilization in streams |
| Series title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1029/2019GL085849 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 23 |
| Publication Date | December 13, 2019 |
| Year Published | 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Contributing office(s) | WMA - Earth System Processes Division |
| Description | 9 p. |
| First page | 13,853 |
| Last page | 13,861 |