Rocky Mountain Research Station

Title: Hyporheic exchange in mountain rivers I: Mechanics and environmental effects

Author: Tonina, Daniele; Buffington, John M.

Date: 2009

Source: Geography Compass. 3(3): 1063-1086.

Description: Hyporheic exchange is the mixing of surface and shallow subsurface water through porous sediment surrounding a river and is driven by spatial and temporal variations in channel characteristics (streambed pressure, bed mobility, alluvial volume and hydraulic conductivity). The significance of hyporheic exchange in linking fluvial geomorphology, groundwater, and riverine habitat for aquatic and terrestrial organisms has emerged in recent decades as an important component of conserving, managing, and restoring riverine ecosystems. Here, we review the causes and environmental effects of hyporheic exchange, and provide a simple mathematical framework for examining the mechanics of exchange. A companion paper explores the potential effects of channel morphology on exchange processes and the hyporheic environments that may result in mountain basins (Buffington and Tonina 2009).

Keywords: hyporheic exchange, subsurface water, porous sediment, riverine ecosystems, channel characteristics

View and Print this Publication (636.38 KB)

Publication Notes: 

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

 Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility

Citation

Tonina, Daniele; Buffington, John M.  2009.  Hyporheic exchange in mountain rivers I: Mechanics and environmental effects.   Geography Compass. 3(3): 1063-1086..