We interrogated complex, multivariate geochemical datasets to identify hot moments in a floodplain environment.
We introduced a novel wavelet-entropy approach to classify hot moments and their distribution.
Geochemical hot moments were found to be primarily transport-related/hydrologically-driven at the site.
Within a naturally reduced zone, hot moments were dominated by lithologic characteristics (biogeochemically-driven).
Water quality managers can use this wavelet-entropy tool for identifying contaminant hot moments in other floodplain settings.