Articles | Volume 30, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-1221-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-1221-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Modeling surface water and groundwater mixing and mixing-dependent denitrification with bedform dynamics
Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
Yang Xian
Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
Menggui Jin
Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
Stefan Krause
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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With a physically based model that couples flow and heat transport in hyporheic zones, the present study provides the first insights into the dynamics of hyporheic responses to the impacts of daily groundwater withdrawal and river temperature fluctuations, allowing for a better understanding of transient hyporheic exchange processes and hence an improved pumping operational scheme.
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Short summary
Bedform migration affects hyporheic exchange, its impact on surface-groundwater mixing and groundwater-borne contaminant removal in groundwater-fed streams remained unclear. This study numerically simulated how bedform migration influences mixing and mixing-induced nitrate reduction. In fine-to-medium sands, higher bedform migration celerities reshape mixing zones, enhance mixing flux and extent, but reduce nitrate removal rate and efficiency, thus impairing hyporheic purification capacity.
Bedform migration affects hyporheic exchange, its impact on surface-groundwater mixing and...