Hot spots and hot moments in the Critical Zone: Identification of and incorporation into reactive transport models

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Abstract

Biogeochemical processes are often spatially discrete (hot spots) and temporally isolated (hot moments) due to variability in controlling factors like hydrologic fluxes, lithological characteristics, bio-geomorphic features, and external forcing. Although these hot spots and hot moments (HSHMs) account for a high percentage of carbon, nitrogen and nutrient cycling within the Critical Zone, the ability to identify and incorporate them into reactive transport models remains a significant challenge. This chapter provides an overview of the hot spots hot moments (HSHMs) concepts, where past work has largely focused on carbon and nitrogen dynamics within riverine systems. This work is summarized in the context of process-based and data-driven modeling approaches, including a brief description of recent research that casts a wider net to incorporate Hg, Fe and other Critical Zone elements, and focuses on interdisciplinary approaches and concepts. The broader goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of the gaps in our current understanding of HSHMs, and the opportunities therein, while specifically focusing on the underlying parameters and processes leading to their prognostic and diagnostic representation in reactive transport models.

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Hot spots and hot moments in the Critical Zone: Identification of and incorporation into reactive transport models
DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-95921-0_2
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher Springer Nature
Contributing office(s) WMA - Earth System Processes Division
Description 39 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Biogeochemistry of the Critical Zone
First page 9
Last page 47
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