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A combined modelling and field study approach was used to examine biogeochemical functioning of the hyporheic zone in two gravel bars in an N-rich fourth-order stream (River Hers, south-west France).

Surface water and interstitial water were sampled monthly (August 1994-January 1995), the latter in a network of 29 piezometers in the first gravel bar and 17 in the second. In both gravel bars, the hyporheic zone was created only by adverted channel water without any connection with groundwater. Longitudinal chemical profiles of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), nitrate (NO(3)-N), ammonium (NH(4)-N) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) were established for both gravel bars. Ambient and potential denitrification were measured in the laboratory during the same period using the acetylene inhibition technique. Factors limiting denitrification were also examined by testing the separate effects of nitrate or nitrate + carbon additions.

A 1D reactive-transport model was used to simulate longitudinal transformation of nitrogen in the hyporheic zone, and to estimate the role of organic matter (DOC and POC) in the biogeochemical functioning of the hyporheic zone.

Denitrification measurements with nitrate and nitrate + carbon additions both showed increased denitrification, suggesting that denitrification might not be C-limited at this site. Observations and model results showed the hyporheic zone to be a sink of DOC and nitrate, but DOC consumption appeared insufficient to explain nitrate depletion measured in the two gravel bars. Field data were better modelled when an additional DOC source from the POC fraction degraded by anaerobic respiration was included in the model. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.