This session is dedicated to discovering environmental DNA (eDNA), organic matter (OM), and community structures of, for example, diatoms or other microbes as innovative tools to trace water and sediment transport within and across landscapes and ecosystems. These new techniques bring cutting-edge approaches in biology to hydrological process research. We explore the methodologies, applications, and implications of their integration.
Presentations within this session will center on understanding and characterizing the movement of biological tracers within hydrological systems, considering factors such as their distribution, degradation characteristics, transport mechanisms, and interactions with environmental parameters. Moreover, this session will showcase advancements in laboratory techniques and modeling approaches tailored to simulate the transport dynamics of biological tracers in hydrological systems. Presentations will highlight accuracy, resolution, and complexity improvements, fostering discussions to enhance our predictive capabilities and understanding of tracer behavior. Influential variables such as water flow, sediment dynamics, temperature, and nutrient availability will be explored. Key processes to be addressed include tracer deposition, uptake, and transformation, shedding light on their role in shaping hydrological processes and ecosystem functioning.
While we’ll primarily focus on DNA analysis, carbon tracing techniques, and diatom characterization, we also welcome contributions employing additional approaches such as modeling and theoretical concepts. We look forward to your contributions that explore the intersection of biology and hydrology, which we hope will pave the way for interdisciplinary collaborations and breakthroughs in environmental science.