Challenges of quantifying short-term hydrobiogeochemical processes in the critical zone

Abstract:

Quantifying short-term hydrobiogeochemical processes at plot to catchment scale remains a grand challenge in environmental sciences. In this talk, I highlight advances and challenges in measuring the spatial and temporal distribution of biogeochemical pools and processes at the pedon to watershed scale. Recent advances in quantifying lower boundary conditions and their application to soil carbon modeling are highlighted in addition to linking spatiotemporal soil moisture dynamics to carbon dioxide fluxes in the critical zone. Identification of soil boundaries and interfaces, weathering fronts, root distribution and turnover, and spatially extensive moisture and redox conditions will improve prediction of biogeochemical hot spots and hot moments in the critical zone.