Characterizing hyporheic exchange processes using high‐frequency electrical conductivity‐discharge relationships on subhourly to interannual timescales

摘要: Concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationships are often used to quantify source water contributions and biogeochemical processes occurring within catchments, especially during discrete hydrological events. Yet, the interpretation of C-Q hysteresis is confounded by complexity critical zone, such as numerous waters hydrochemical non-stationarity. Consequently, researchers must ignore important runoff pathways geochemical sources/sinks, hyporheic zone because it lacks a distinct signature. Such simplifications limit efforts identify responsible for transience over time. To address these limitations, we leverage hydrologic simplicity long-term, high-frequency Q electrical conductivity (EC) data from streams in McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. In this two end-member system, EC can serve proxy concentration solutes derived zone. We utilize novel approach decompose loops into sub-hysteretic EC-Q dynamics individual mechanisms governing across wide range timescales. find that hydraulic govern response diel seasonal variability effects mixing on differ short long streams. also observe variable turnover rates patterns at daily interannual Lastly, analysis reveals period freshening glacial meltwater related unsteady flow exchange. The framework introduce may be applied more broadly constrain controlling advance understanding catchment evolution.