Heterogeneity Matters: Aggregation Bias of Gas Transfer Velocity Versus Energy Dissipation Rate Relations in Streams

The gas transfer velocity, k , modulates gas fluxes across air‐water interfaces in rivers. While the theory postulates a local scaling law between k and the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate ε , empirical studies usually interpret this relation at the reach‐scale. Here, we investigate how local k ( ε ) laws can be integrated along heterogeneous reaches exploiting a simple hydrodynamic model, which links stage and velocity to the local slope. The model is used to quantify the relative difference between the gas transfer velocity of a heterogeneous stream and that of an equivalent homogeneous system. We show that this aggregation bias depends on the exponent of the local scaling law, b , and internal slope variations. In high‐energy streams, where b > 1 , spatial heterogeneity of ε significantly enhances reach‐scale values of k as compared to homogeneous settings. We conclude that small‐scale hydro‐morphological traits bear a profound impact on gas evasion from inland waters.