The Hyporheic Zone (IMAGE) DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Caption Scientists call the area along a river where river water and groundwater mix the hyporheic zone. The circular inset illustrates some of the features of this zone, including tiny grains of sediment, water from both sources mixing, and the microbes that actively ply these waters and sediments. Credit Illustration courtesy of PNNL Usage Restrictions Please give credit: Image courtesy of PNNL License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.