EESS talk on "Hydrodynamic control of biogeochemical cycling in streams"
Event details
Date | 22.05.2018 |
Hour | 12:15 › 13:15 |
Speaker | Dr Andreas Lorke, professor, Environmental Physics, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany |
Location | |
Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Abstract:
Low-order streams form the most abundant and the largest component of fluvial networks. They transport and process particulate and dissolved substances of terrestrial or anthropogenic origin. For example, they can be strong sources of the atmospheric greenhouse gases CO2, CH4 and N2O, or they convert anthropogenic nitrate loads into N2. The type and magnitude of biogeochemical cycling in streams, as well its spatial and temporal variability are ubiquitously linked to flow velocity and turbulence. Although stream flow has been modified globally by human activities, the processes by which flow and turbulence regulate biogeochemical cycles are poorly understood. Here I report results from recent research activities in that field, including experimental studies on methane production and gas bubble formation in stream sediments, linkages between flow diversity and biodiversity of epilithic biofilms and the effect of turbulence on gas exchange with the atmosphere.
Short biography:
Andreas Lorke studied physics and obtained a PhD in 1998. After working as postdoc at several institutions in Germany and in Switzerland, he became appointed a professor for environmental physics at the University of Koblenz Landau in 2008. His research focus is on environmental fluid mechanics and physical limnology. His group investigates how fluid flow is generated, how it interacts with organisms, transports material and affects biogeochemical transformations in aquatic ecosystems.
Low-order streams form the most abundant and the largest component of fluvial networks. They transport and process particulate and dissolved substances of terrestrial or anthropogenic origin. For example, they can be strong sources of the atmospheric greenhouse gases CO2, CH4 and N2O, or they convert anthropogenic nitrate loads into N2. The type and magnitude of biogeochemical cycling in streams, as well its spatial and temporal variability are ubiquitously linked to flow velocity and turbulence. Although stream flow has been modified globally by human activities, the processes by which flow and turbulence regulate biogeochemical cycles are poorly understood. Here I report results from recent research activities in that field, including experimental studies on methane production and gas bubble formation in stream sediments, linkages between flow diversity and biodiversity of epilithic biofilms and the effect of turbulence on gas exchange with the atmosphere.
Short biography:
Andreas Lorke studied physics and obtained a PhD in 1998. After working as postdoc at several institutions in Germany and in Switzerland, he became appointed a professor for environmental physics at the University of Koblenz Landau in 2008. His research focus is on environmental fluid mechanics and physical limnology. His group investigates how fluid flow is generated, how it interacts with organisms, transports material and affects biogeochemical transformations in aquatic ecosystems.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- EESS - IIE
Contact
- Profs. Ulrich Lemmin & D. Andrew Barry, ECOL