Increased deposition of fine sediments in rivers and streams affects a range of key ecosystem processes across the sediment–water interface, and it is a critical aspect of river habitat degradation and restoration. Understanding the mechanisms leading to fine sediment accumulation along and across streambeds and their effect on ecological processes is essential for comprehending human impacts on river ecosystems and informing river restoration. Here, we introduce the HydroEcoSedimentary tool (HEST) as an integrated approach to assess hydro-sedimentary and ecologically relevant processes together. The HEST integrates the estimation of sedimentary processes in the interstitial zone, as well as hydraulic, geochemical and ecological assessments, with a focus on brown trout early life stages. Compared to other methods, the HEST expands the possibilities to monitor and quantify fine sediment deposition in streambeds by differentiating between vertical, lateral and longitudinal infiltration pathways, and distinguishing between the depth (upper vs. lower layers) at which interstitial processes occur within the sediment column. By testing the method in two rivers with different degrees of morphological degradation, we detail the possible measurements and uses of the HEST, demonstrate its feasibility and discuss its reliability.

中文翻译：

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HydroEcoSedimentary 工具：一种描述间隙水沉积和相关生态过程的综合方法

河流和溪流中细粒沉积物的沉积增加会影响沉积物 - 水界面的一系列关键生态系统过程，这是河流栖息地退化和恢复的一个关键方面。了解导致沿河床和跨河床细粒沉积物积累的机制及其对生态过程的影响，对于理解人类对河流生态系统的影响和为河流恢复提供信息至关重要。在这里，我们介绍了 HydroEcoSedimentary 工具 (HEST) 作为一种综合方法来评估水力沉积和生态相关过程。HEST 整合了间隙带沉积过程的估计以及水力、地球化学和生态评估，重点是褐鳟鱼的早期生命阶段。与其他方法相比，HEST 通过区分垂直、横向和纵向渗透路径，并区分沉积柱内发生间隙过程的深度（上层与下层），扩大了监测和量化河床中细粒沉积物沉积的可能性。通过在两条具有不同形态退化程度的河流中测试该方法，我们详细介绍了 HEST 的可能测量和用途，证明了其可行性并讨论了其可靠性。