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Understanding streambeds as complex systems: review of multiple interacting environmental processes influencing streambed permeability

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Abstract

The permeability of sediments at the sediment–water interface is an important control on several stream ecosystem services. It is well known that streambed permeability varies over several orders of magnitude, however, the environmental processes influencing this variation have received little attention. This review synthesizes the state-of-art knowledge and gaps in our understanding of the key physical and biological processes which can potentially modify the streambed permeability. These processes include—(a) physical clogging due to fine sediments, (b) biological clogging due to microbial biomass, and (c) sediment reworking by in-stream fauna. We highlight that the role of biotic processes (bioclogging and sediment reworking processes) in modifying the streambed permeability has not been investigated in detail. We emphasize that complex feedback mechanisms exist between these abiotic and biotic processes, and an interdisciplinary framework is necessary to achieve a holistic understanding of the spatio-temporal variability in streambed permeability. To this end, we propose to develop a conceptual model for streambed evolution after a disturbance (e.g. floods) as this model could be valuable in comprehending the dynamics of permeability. We also outline the challenges associated with developing a widely applicable streambed evolution model. Nonetheless, as a way forward, we present a possible scenario for the evolution of a streambed following a high flow event based on the trajectory of responses of the above-mentioned environmental processes. Finally, we suggest future research directions that could assist in improving the fundamental understanding of the clogging and sediment reworking processes and consequently of the dynamics of streambed permeability.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Robert Payn whose suggestions have helped to improve the quality of this manuscript.

Funding

Shrivastava would like to acknowledge the Melbourne India Postgraduate Program (MIPP) for providing the scholarship to pursue PhD at the University of Melbourne. The project was also supported by the Australian Research Council (Project DP130103619).

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  1. Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Group, Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Shivansh Shrivastava, Michael J. Stewardson & Meenakshi Arora

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  1. Shivansh Shrivastava
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  2. Michael J. Stewardson
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  3. Meenakshi Arora
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The manuscript has been prepared as one of the outcomes of Shrivastava’s PhD work. He consolidated all the ideas and had drafted the manuscript. Stewardson and Arora helped in conceptualization and provided their suggestions as the manuscript was developed.

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Shrivastava, S., Stewardson, M.J. & Arora, M. Understanding streambeds as complex systems: review of multiple interacting environmental processes influencing streambed permeability. Aquat Sci 82, 67 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-020-00741-z

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