Nitrogen cycle in the riverine hyporheic zone: A systematic review from processes to environmental function

Nitrogen (N) is a crucial nutrient for aquatic primary production. The N cycle not only influences the health of various aquatic ecosystems but also has implications for climate change due to the involvement of greenhouse gases (e.g., N₂O) production and emission. Rivers are a hub connecting terrestrial, atmospheric, and oceanic environments, where geochemical processes substantially influence the N exchange among multiple spheres. Numerous studies have reported variations in N processes across different segments of rivers leading to distinct ecological consequences such as eutrophication, hypoxia and N₂O emissions. Research on riverine N cycling has historically focused on the water column. Although the hyporheic zone is increasingly recognized as a hotspot for nitrification and denitrification processes, the specific biogeochemical mechanisms and their overall environmental impact require further investigation. This paper provides the current state of knowledge on the process and function of hyporheic zone N cycle. Key aspects on a) physical structural characteristics of hyporheic zone, b) N biogeochemical processes, c) the coupling of N with other elements, and d) the potential role of hyporheic N cycle were systematically reviewed. This study highlights the necessity of future studies focusing on high-resolution spatiotemporal monitoring and mechanistic investigations on hyporheic N cycle. The goal is to connect key environmental factors with ecosystem function, thereby offering practical insights for effective water quality management.