Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Effects of an Environmental Flow Release on Water Quality in the Hyporheic Zone of the Hunter River, Australia

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Environmental flow releases have been advocated as a useful rehabilitation strategy for improving river condition but assessments of their success have typically focused on surface water quality and biota. In this study, we investigated the impacts of an environmental flow release on water temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and nitrate concentrations in surface and subsurface (hyporheic) water at upwelling and downwelling zones in three sites along the Hunter River, New South Wales, Australia. We hypothesised that the flow pulse would ‘flush’ the sediments with oxygenated water, stimulating hyporheic microbial activity and nitrification, enhancing nitrate concentrations over time. Surface and subsurface samples were collected before, 7 days after, and 49 days after an environmental flow release of 5000 Ml for a period of 3 days. No lasting effects on dissolved oxygen or conductivity were evident at most sites although dissolved oxygen declined over time at the downwelling site at Bowmans Crossing. At the downwelling zones at all sites, hyporheic nitrate concentrations declined initially following the release, but then rose or leveled off by Day 49. This initial drop in concentration was attributed to flushing of nitrate from the sediments. At two sites, nitrate concentrations had increased by Day 49 in the upwelling zones while at the third site, it fell significantly, associated with very low dissolved oxygen and likely reductive loss of nitrate. Electrical conductivity data indicate that potential inputs of agriculturally enriched groundwater may contribute to the nitrogen dynamics of the Hunter River. This study highlights the spatial heterogeneity that occurs in the hyporheic zone within and among sites of a regulated river, and emphasises the need for multiple-site surveys and an understanding of groundwater dynamics to assess physicochemical responses of the hyporheic zone to environmental flow releases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • A. H. Arthington B. J. Pusey (2003) ArticleTitleFlow restoration and protection in Australian rivers River Research and Applications 19 377–395 Occurrence Handle10.1002/rra.745

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. A. Atekwana R. V. Krishnamurthy (2004) ArticleTitleInvestigating landfill-impacted groundwater seepage into headwater streams using stable carbon isotopes Hydrological Processes 18 1915–1926 Occurrence Handle10.1002/hyp.1457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. A. Baker P. Vervier (2004) ArticleTitleHydrological variability, organic matter supply and denitrification in the Garonne River ecosystem Freshwater Biology 49 181–190 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2426.2003.01175.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. J. Boulton (1993) ArticleTitleStream ecology and surface-hyporheic exchange: implications, techniques and limitations Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 44 553–564

    Google Scholar 

  • A. J. Boulton (2000) ArticleTitleRiver ecosystem health down under: assessing ecological condition in riverine groundwater zones in Australia Ecosystem Health 6 108–118 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1526-0992.2000.00011.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. J. Boulton S. Findlay P. Marmonier E. H. Stanley H. M. Valett (1998) ArticleTitleThe functional significance of the hyporheic zone in streams and rivers Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 29 59–81 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.29.1.59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Brunke T. Gonser (1997) ArticleTitleThe ecological significance of exchange processes between rivers and groundwater Freshwater Biology 37 1–33 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2427.1997.00143.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. C. Bruno S. A. Perry (2004) ArticleTitleExchanges of copepod fauna between surface- and ground-water in the Rocky Glades of Everglades National Park (Florida, U.S.A.) Archiv für Hydrobiologie 159 489–510 Occurrence Handle10.1127/0003-9136/2004/0159-0489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. C. Chessman J. E. Growns A. R. Kotlash (1997) ArticleTitleObjective derivation of macroinvertebrate family sensitivity grade numbers for the SIGNAL biotic index: application to the Hunter River system, New South Wales Marine and Freshwater Research 48 159–172 Occurrence Handle10.1071/MF96058

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. C. Chessman M. J. Royal (2004) ArticleTitleBioassessment without reference sites: use of environmental filters to predict natural assemblages of river macroinvertebrates Journal of the North American Benthological Society 23 599–615 Occurrence Handle10.1899/0887-3593(2004)023<0599:BWRSUO>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J.-C. Clément R. M. Holmes B. J. Peterson G. Pinay (2003) ArticleTitleIsotopic investigation of denitrification in a riparian ecosystem in western France Journal of Applied Ecology 40 1035–1048 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1365-2664.2003.00854.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. L. Correll T. E. Jordan D. E. Weller (1997) Failure of agricultural riparian buffers to protect surface waters from groundwater nitrate contamination J., Gibert J. Mathieu F. Fournier (Eds) Groundwater/Surface Water Ecotones – Biological and Hydrological Interactions and Management Options Cambridge University Press Cambridge 162–165

    Google Scholar 

  • C. N. Dahm H. M. Valett (1996) Hyporheic zones F. R. Hauer G. A. Lamberti (Eds) Methods in Stream Ecology Academic Press San Diego 107–119

    Google Scholar 

  • C. N. Dahm N. B. Grimm P. Marmonier . H. M. Valett P. Vervier (1998) ArticleTitleNutrient dynamics at the interface between surface waters and groundwaters Freshwater Biology 40 427–451 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2427.1998.00367.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. L. Dent J. J. Schade N. B. Grimm S. G. Fisher (2000) Subsurface influences on surface biology J. B. Jones P. J. Mulholland (Eds) Streams and Ground Waters Academic Press San Diego 381–404

    Google Scholar 

  • B. J. Downes L. A. Barmuta P. G. Fairweather D. P. Faith M. J. Keogh P. S. Lake B. D. Mapstone G. P. Quinn (2002) Monitoring Ecological Impacts: Concepts and Practice in Flowing Waters Cambridge University Press Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • J. H. Duff F. J. Triska (2000) Nitrogen biogeochemistry and surface–subsurface exchange in streams J. B. Jones P. J. Mulholland (Eds) Streams and Ground Waters Academic Press San Diego 197–220

    Google Scholar 

  • D. M. Fiebig M. A. Lock (1991) ArticleTitleImmobilization of dissolved organic matter from groundwater discharging through the stream bed Freshwater Biology 26 45–55

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Findlay (1995) ArticleTitleImportance of surface–subsurface exchange in stream ecosystems: the hyporheic zone Limnology and Oceanography 40 159–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibert, J., M.-J. Dole-Olivier, P. Marmonier & P. Vervier, 1990. Surface water-groundwater ecotones. In Naiman, R. J. & H. Décamps (eds), UNESCO, Paris and Parthenon Publishers, Carnforth: 199–226.

  • C. J. Gippel (2001) ArticleTitleGeomorphic issues associated with environmental flow assessment in alluvial non-tidal rivers Australian Journal of Water Resources 5 3–19

    Google Scholar 

  • N. D. Gordon T. A. McMahon B. L. Finlayson (1992) Stream Hydrology - An Introduction for Stream Ecologists John Wiley & Sons Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • J. A. Gore J. B. Layzer J. Mead (2001) ArticleTitleMacroinvertebrate instream flow studies after 20 years: a role in stream management and restoration Regulated Rivers Research and Management 17 527–542 Occurrence Handle10.1002/rrr.650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. J. Hancock (2002) ArticleTitleHuman impacts on the stream–groundwater exchange zone Environmental Management 29 761–781 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00267-001-0064-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. W. Harvey B. J. Wagner (2000) Quantifying hydrologic interactions between streams and their subsurface hyporheic zones J. B. Jones P. J. Mulholland (Eds) Streams and Ground Waters Academic Press San Diego 4–45

    Google Scholar 

  • S. P. Hendricks D. S. White (1995) ArticleTitleSeasonal biogeochemical patterns in surface water, subsurface hyporheic, and riparian ground water in a temperate stream ecosystem Archiv für Hydrobiologie 134 459–490

    Google Scholar 

  • G. W. Hunt E. H. Stanley (2000) ArticleTitleAn evaluation of alternative processes using the Bou-Rouch method for sampling hyporheic invertebrates Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57 1545–1550 Occurrence Handle10.1139/cjfas-57-8-1545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. B. Jones S. G. Fisher N. B. Grimm (1995) ArticleTitleNitrification in the hyporheic zone of a desert stream ecosystem Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14 249–258

    Google Scholar 

  • J. B. Jones P. J. Mulholland (2000) Streams and Ground Waters Academic Press San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • R. T. Kingsford (2000) ArticleTitleEcological impacts of dams, water diversions and river management on floodplain wetlands in Australia Austral Ecology 25 109–127 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1442-9993.2000.01036.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. Ladson B. Finlayson (2002) ArticleTitleRhetoric and reality in the allocation of water to the environment: a case study of the Goulburn River, Victoria, Australia River Research and Applications 18 555–568 Occurrence Handle10.1002/rra.680

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F. Malard K. Tockner M.-J. Dole-Olivier J. V. Ward (2002) ArticleTitleA landscape perspective of surface-subsurface hydrological exchanges in river corridors Freshwater Biology 47 621–640 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2427.2002.00906.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Marmonier D. Fontvieille J. Gibert V. Vanek (1995) ArticleTitleDistribution of dissolved organic carbon and bacteria at the interface between the Rhône River and its alluvial aquifer Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14 382–392

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Marmonier P. Vervier J. Gibert M.-J. Dole-Olivier (1993) ArticleTitleBiodiversity in ground waters Trends in Ecology and Evolution 8 392–395 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0169-5347(93)90039-R

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. Martí S. G. Fisher J. J. Schade N. B. Grimm (2000) Flood frequency and stream-riparian linkages in arid lands J. B. Jones P. J. Mulholland (Eds) Streams and Ground Waters Academic Press San Diego 111–136

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Mauclaire J. Gibert C. Claret (2000) ArticleTitleDo bacteria and nutrients control faunal assemblages in alluvial aquifers? Archiv für Hydrobiologie 148 85–98

    Google Scholar 

  • R. J. Naiman S. E. Bunn C. Nilsson G. E. Petts G. Pinay L. C. Thompson (2002) ArticleTitleLegitimising fluvial ecosystems as users of water: an overview Environmental Management 30 455–467 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00267-002-2734-3 Occurrence Handle12481913

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • G. Power R. S. Brown J. G. Imhof (1999) ArticleTitleGroundwater and fish – insights from northern North America Hydrological Processes 13 401–422 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1099-1085(19990228)13:3<401::AID-HYP746>3.3.CO;2-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. P. Quinn M. J. Keough (2002) Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists Cambridge University Press Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Raine A., 2000. State of the Hunter River. In Hunter Catchment Management Trust (ed.), Water (2000) Forum: Our River, Our Future. Wyndham Estate, Branxton, New South Wales: 27–53.

  • T. B. Spruill (2000) ArticleTitleStatistical evaluation of effects of riparian buffers on nitrate and ground water quality Journal of Environmental Quality 29 1523–1538

    Google Scholar 

  • E. H. Stanley A. J. Boulton (1995) ArticleTitleHyporheic processes during flooding and drying in a Sonoran Desert stream I. Hydrologic and chemical dynamics Archiv für Hydrobiologie 134 1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • F. J. Triska V. C. Kennedy R. J. Avanzino G. W. Zellweger K. E. Bencala (1990) ArticleTitleIn situ retention-transport response to nitrate loading and storm discharge in a third-order stream Journal of the North American Benthological Society 9 229–239

    Google Scholar 

  • H. M. Valett C. N. Dahm M. E. Campana J. A. Morrice M. A. Baker C. S. Fellows (1997) ArticleTitleHydrologic influences on groundwater–surface water ecotones: heterogeneity in nutrient composition and retention Journal of the North American Benthological Society 16 239–247

    Google Scholar 

  • H. M. Valett S. G. Fisher E. H. Stanley (1990) ArticleTitlePhysical and chemical characteristics of the hyporheic zone of a Sonoran Desert stream Journal of the North American Benthological Society 9 201–215

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Vervier J. Gibert P. Marmonier M.-J. Dole-Olivier (1992) ArticleTitleA perspective on the permeability of the surface freshwater–groundwater ecotone Journal of the North American Benthological Society 11 93–102

    Google Scholar 

  • K. F. Walker (1985) ArticleTitleA review of the ecological effects of river regulation in Australia Hydrobiologia 125 111–129 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00045929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. S. White (1993) ArticleTitlePerspectives on defining and delineating hyporheic zones Journal of the North American Benthological Society 12 61–69

    Google Scholar 

  • P. R. Wilcock G. M. Kondolf V. G. W. Matthews A. F. Barta (1996) ArticleTitleSpecification of sediment maintenance flows for a large gravel-bed river Water Resources Research 32 2911–2921 Occurrence Handle10.1029/96WR01627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. D. Wood F. A. J. Armstrong F. A. Richards (1967) ArticleTitleDetermination of nitrate in seawater by cadmium–copper reduction to nitrite Journal of the Marine Biology Association 47 23–31

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, 2350, NSW, Australia

    Peter J. Hancock & Andrew J. Boulton

Authors
  1. Peter J. Hancock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andrew J. Boulton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter J. Hancock.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hancock, P.J., Boulton, A.J. The Effects of an Environmental Flow Release on Water Quality in the Hyporheic Zone of the Hunter River, Australia. Hydrobiologia 552, 75–85 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1506-5

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1506-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation