Sediment Dynamics for

Tracing spatial sources of suspended sediment in the Ohio River basin, USA, using water quality data from the NASQAN programme
YUSHENG ZHANG¹, ADRIAN L. COLLINS¹& ARTHUR J. HOROWITZ²

1 Environment Group, ADAS, Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton WV6 8TQ, UK

[e-mail]

2 US Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center, 3039 Amwiler Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30360, USA
Abstract Documenting catchment suspended sediment sources remains critical for guiding the design of sediment management strategies and for abating the numerous environmental issues associated with enhanced loadings. Sediment fingerprinting techniques have received increasing attention in this respect since, at the catchment scale, they avoid many of the problems and uncertainties experienced with using more traditional measurement methods. As part of the US Geological Survey’s revised NASQAN (National Stream Quality Accounting Network) programme, routine water quality samples are collected in selected large river basins in the United States. The geochemical data generated from these samples over a period of 10 years (1996–2006), were used as the basis of a fingerprinting exercise to assess the key tributary sub-catchment spatial sources of suspended sediment transported by the Ohio River. A Monte Carlo approach was used during the fingerprinting mass balance modelling to quantify uncertainty in the spatial source estimates. The results should be interpreted with respect to the routine but infrequent nature of the suspended sediment samples used as the basis for the sourcing exercise, but nonetheless, demonstrate how routine monitoring samples can be used to provide some preliminary information on sediment provenance in large drainage basins.

Key words sediment sources; fingerprinting; uncertainty; routine water quality sampling

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 300-307.

High resolution quantification of slope–channel coupling in an alpine geosystem
Martin Bimböse, Karl-Heinz Schmidt & David Morche

Institute for Geosciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099 Halle/Saale, Germany

[e-mail]
Abstract Fluvial sediment transport in alpine rivers is strongly connected to available sediment which comes from slope source areas (talus and debris cones). Consequently, the quantification of slope–channel coupling in terms of sediment supply to the river is a major task for fluvial sediment budget studies. Sometimes, the more interesting and useful study sites are located in dangerous areas and field work is difficult, if not impossible. Due to the emerging technology of laser-scanning (both terrestrial and airborne) it is now possible to obtain high resolution earth surface data for use in sediment budget studies. The Reintal Valley (Bavarian Alps) is a natural high-mountain laboratory where sediment transport processes and slope–channel coupling can be studied in detail. Due to a 2005 dam-break flood, the river system is in a state of disequilibrium, making it an exceptional study site for investigating these processes. The sediment flux from the sources to the river channel was quantified by using the innovative terrestrial laser-scanning (TLS) methodology. During the 2008 field season the sediment sources fed the Partnach River with more than 2600 t of sediment. Only a minor part was transported as bed load. Most of the coarse sediment was stored on the channel bed, a finding which was evaluated by concurrent bed load measurements at the outlet of the catchment. The sediment stored on the river bed was re-worked by 2009 snow melt floods and transported further downstream.

Key words slope–channel coupling; terrestrial laser-scanning; DEM; sediment sources; sediment budget; bed load; sediment transport; Partnach River; Reintal

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 308-315.

Integrated runoff-erosion modelling in the Brazilian Water Resources Information System (SNIRH)
CELSO A. G. SANTOS, CRISTIANO DAS N. ALMEIDA,
AMÍLCAR SOARES JÚNIOR, FRANCISCO A. R. BARBOSA, TIAGO F. SOUZA & PAULA KARENINA DE M. M. FREIRE

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

[e-mail]
Abstract This paper presents details of how part of the Brazilian Water Resources Information System (SNIRH) was developed. The work was carried out by four research networks made up of several Brazilian universities. One of these networks was responsible for the integration of rainfall–runoff models to the SNIRH. In order to integrate the rainfall–runoff models into the SNIRH, the OpenJUMP software was used as an interface to manage the input data and the simulation results. Among the selected models, there is a distributed runoff–erosion model named Kineros with a new friendly interface, in order to provide more detailed simulations exercises, allowing users to analyse the results easily. The model can import the rainfall data from SNIRH and separately simulate the runoff and erosion processes. Finally, this new tool, which integrates different hydrological models in a single base, can support the decision-making process for water resources in Brazil.

Key words SNIRH; runoff-erosion modelling; Kineros; OpenJump

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 316-321.

An ANN-based approach to modelling sediment yield: a case study in a semi-arid area of Brazil
CAMILO A. S. DE FARIAS¹, FRANCISMÁRIO M. ALVES²,
CELSO A. G. SANTOS³ & KOICHI SUZUKI⁴

1 Academic Unit of Agronomy and Food Technology – Environmental Engineering,

Federal University of Campina Grande, Rua Cel. João Leite 517, Centro, 58840-000 Pombal, Paraíba, Brazil

[e-mail]

2 Dept of Engineering, Vale Company, Brazil

3 Dept of Civil and Environmental Engng, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

4 Dept of Civil and Environmental Engng, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, 790-8577 Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan

Abstract This paper describes an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for estimating sediment yield based on runoff and climatological data. The model has been applied to an erosion plot inside the São João do Cariri experimental basin, which is located in the semi-arid portion of Paraíba State, Brazil. Large quantities of sediment tend to be generated only periodically in semi-arid regions, thus accurate estimations of when sediment yields are likely to be high are needed to improve erosion management in such areas. A total of 61 rainfall events, which occurred between 1999 and 2002, were utilized to calibrate and test the model. Another model, based on multiple linear regression (MLR) was used for comparison. The results produced by the ANN model appear to be superior to those generated by the MLR model. The results also indicate that the ANN model is suitable for identifying and extracting nonlinear trends for significant variables.

Key words sediment yield; artificial neural networks; semi-arid; erosion management

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 322-328.

Use of the SWAT model to evaluate the impact of different land use scenarios on discharge and sediment transport in the Apucaraninha River watershed, southern Brazil
IRANI DOS SANTOS¹, MARCOS V. ANDRIOLO², ROSANA C. GIBERTONI³ & MASATO KOBIYAMA⁴

1 Department of Geography, Federal University of Parana, Caixa Postal 19001, Curitiba, PR, 81531-970, Brazil

[e-mail]

2 Civil Engineering Department, Companhia Paranaense de Energia, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

3 Environmental Department, Instituto de Tecnologia para o Desenvolvimento, Caixa Postal 19067, Curitiba, PR,
81531-980, Brazil

4 Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Caixa Postal 476, Florianopolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
Abstract The SWAT model was used to simulate the production and transport of water and sediment (suspended and bedload) in the Apucaraninha River watershed (504 km²), southern Brazil. The model was calibrated with daily discharge and sediment transport data, obtained during the period 1988–2005. The model simulation showed a good fit for both discharge and sediment transport when compared to observed values. Using the calibrated SWAT model, the impacts of different land-use and soil management activities on discharge and sediment transport were evaluated under the following scenarios: (1) the present condition without soil conservation practice; (2) the present condition with full riparian vegetation; (3) agriculture with soil conservation practice and full riparian vegetation; (4) 100% forest; (5) agriculture without soil conservation practice and with full riparian vegetation; (6) 100% agriculture without soil conservation practice; and (7) 100% agriculture with soil conservation practice. The mean values of total discharge between the various scenarios had a very small coefficient of variation (1%), while the mean values of surface runoff had a larger value (25%). For sediment transport, the difference between the scenarios was more significant. Compared with the current condition, scenario (4) resulted in a decrease of sediment transport of 89%, while scenario (6) resulted in an increase of 142%.

Key words hydrological monitoring; hydrological modeling; sediment transport; land use scenarios; SWAT;
southern Brazil

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 329-333.

Comparative analysis of two distributed soil erosion and sediment yield models in Sichuan Basin, China
Yuan zaijian^1,2, Chu yingmin³, Shen yanjun¹, liu Chang³ &
Fu Ya’Nan²

1 Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology,
Chinese Academy of Science, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050021, China

[e-mail]

2 School of Economics & Management, Hebei University of Science & Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China

3 College of Tourism, Hebei University of Economics & Business, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Abstract Based on data from two watershed outlets, and three runoff plots in the purple soil hilly areas of Sichuan Basin, two distributed soil erosion and sediment yield models were constructed. One is based on a grid with 20-m resolution in Hemingguan Watershed, with an area of 0.419 km², and the other is based on a land plot in Lizikou Watershed with an area of 19.63 km². Comparison of these two models shows that the simulation based on the high precision grid is more accurate. When the area of a watershed is larger than 10 km², the accuracy of the model will be increased if a high-resolution grid is adopted, whereas if the resolution of the grid is low, the grid will generalize too much information, such as different land-use patterns in the same grid. On the other hand, a distributed model based on a land plot can substantially reduce the computational complexity because the land-use means are uniform. The two models basically have the same structure, but the Hemingguan model is more accurate than the Lizikou model.

Key words distributed soil erosion and sediment yield model; Sichuan Basin; comparison

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 334-344.

Effect of topographic scale on the estimation of soil erosion rates using an empirical model
YULIA S. KUZNETSOVA, VLADIMIR R. BELYAEV &
VALENTIN N. GOLOSOV

Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Fluvial Processes, Faculty of Geography, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

[e-mail]
Abstract Many studies of soil erosion involving application of computational models face the problem of precision of the available topographic data. Limited availability of maps and a necessity to extrapolate detailed-scale data over larger areas often force investigators to use small scale maps with relatively low precision of relief representation. Many other factors influencing soil erosion are usually less spatially variable than geomorphic conditions, which may change within and between slopes. Thus a loss of topographic information due to cartographic generalization can result in errors related to estimated soil erosion rates. This work presents a comparison of soil erosion rate estimations produced by a USLE-based empirical model for the same case-study site (a small catchment in the Central Russian Upland) using the input topographic data of different scales. Morphometric parameters of the three selected slope units to be used as input data for an empirical erosion model were derived from digital elevation models constructed using results of the detailed slope survey by digital tacheometer and two scales of topographic maps (1:10 000, 1:100 000). The results of modelling at the largest scale (detailed tacheometric survey) were used as a reference for comparison with modelling at smaller scales (1:10 000, 1:100 000). Model runs using each of the three available topographic input data sets produced average annual values of soil erosion rates and spatially distributed data sets of within-slope variability of erosion rates for the three studied slope units. The USLE model was also used to estimate soil erosion rates for five different crop rotations, which were applied within the studied catchment over its 150-year long history of cultivation. Modelling results were compared with average soil redistribution rates obtained for the entire cultivation period using the soil profile morphology approach.

Key words soil erosion; empirical modelling; slope morphometry; topographic generalization; variability; soil profile morphology; scale dependent error

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 345-352.

Modelling lowland reservoir sedimentation conditions and the potential environmental consequences of dam removal: Wloclawek Reservoir, Vistula River, Poland
ARTUR MAGNUSZEWSKI¹, SHARON MORAN² & GUOLIANG YU³

1 University of Warsaw, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, Department of Hydrology,
Krakowskie Przedmiescie 30, 00-927 Warszawa, Poland

[e-mail]

2 State University of New York, Department of Environmental Studies, 107 Marshall Hall, 1 Forestry Drive , Syracuse,
New York 13210-2787, USA

3 Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Department of Harbor, Waterway and Coastal Engineering,
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering Shanghai, Dongchuan Road 800, Shanghai 200240, China
Abstract The decommissioning of dams has been discussed on an international scale in the context of the economic, social, and environmental costs of maintaining aging infrastructure. While dams can provide extensive benefits such as water management, power generation, and flood control, their environmental impacts can be detrimental, and much remains to be characterized. In Poland, there is growing concern about the future of the Wloclawek Dam and Reservoir, located on the Vistula River 110 km northwest of Warsaw. One of Poland’s largest reservoirs, it has a volume of 408 million m³ and an area of 70.4 km². This study explores the sediment transport and silting rates for the reservoir using a CCHE2D model and parameters including: channel width, average velocity, average depth, and Froude numbers at the cross-sections of the reservoir. The study findings provide a better understanding of the sedimentary conditions, and permit a precise delineation of three different zones in the reservoir: riverine, transitional, and lacustrine. The potential consequences of dam removal have been modelled and indicate that dramatic changes in hydraulic parameters will result, and a new 22.7 km² flood plain may form, which corresponds to 33% of the current reservoir area.

Key words Vistula River; Wloclawek Reservoir; fluvial processes; sediments transport;
CCHE2D hydrodynamic model; dam removal

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 353-360.

Incorporating pedotransfer functions into the MOSEE model to simulate runoff and soil erosion at different scales
EDUARDO E. DE FIGUEIREDO¹ & ANTHONY J. PARSONS²

1 Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande/Brazil, PO Box 505, Campina Grande/PB, Brazil

[e-mail]

2 Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, Winter Street, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
Abstract The distributed MOSEE model was used to investigate scale and land-use change impacts on runoff and soil erosion processes in catchments located in the semi-arid northeast region of Brazil. The model includes functions that take into account the spatial variability of rainfall and catchment characteristics. To simulate hydrological and sediment transport processes in the study basins, model parameters were estimated with previously published pedotransfer functions and soil texture data in the Representative Sumé basin (RBS) located in Paraiba, Brazil. The results show that, in general, runoff and sediment yield simulations were comparable to the observed values at the small scale using a combination of pedotransfer functions. For the larger basins, the simulated runoffs, aggregated to a daily basis for comparisons, provided a reasonable fit for the observed data in two catchments. The simulated runoff and sediment yields increased as deforestation and catchment area increased, demonstrating the relevance of vegetation as an effective protective agent to reduce soil erosion.

Key words physically-based model; parameterization; pedotransfer function; simulation; distributed model MOSEE

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 361-365.

How important is sediment graph development in Iran?
Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi

Department of Watershed Management Engineering, College of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor 46417-76489, Mazandaran, Iran

[e-mail]
Abstract A careful measurement and analysis of sediment data is a basic pre-requisite for the successful planning and design of any soil and water conservation programme. However, the proper evaluation on the aptness of available measurement and estimation techniques is rarely made worldwide. The problem is much more complicated and neglected in developing countries like Iran. The present paper aims to review the soundness and applicability of available procedures of infrequent and irregular suspended sediment sampling and estimation of total sediment yield by using sediment rating curves. The results of the existing and oft-applied method were then compared with those obtained through developing the sediment graphs on the storm basis. The study was formulated based on data intensively collected for some study watersheds in Iran. The results of the study verified the inapplicability of sediment rating curves for giving accurate estimation of suspended sediment yield in the study areas. The results of sediment graph analysis not only proved its aptness to estimate sediment yield in the study areas, but it could also mirror all changes made in the watershed which had been masked at the time of applying sediment rating curves. These findings clearly verified the necessity of sediment graph development in a country like Iran governed by very natural and changing anthropogenic conditions.

Key words changing ecosystems; Iran; sediment graph; sediment rating curve; sediment yield

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sediment Dynamics for a Changing Future (Proceedings of the ICCE symposium held at Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland, 14–18 June 2010). IAHS Publ. 337, 2010, 366-374.

Application of an XML-based genetic algorithm to a
rainfall–runoff erosion model
AMÍLCAR SOARES JÚNIOR¹, CELSO A. G. SANTOS²,
GUSTAVO H. M. B. MOTTA¹, FRANCISCO A. R. BARBOSA² &
PAULA K. M. M. FREIRE²

1 Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Paraiba, 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

[e-mail]

2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract Optimization is a common problem in hydrological sciences and Genetic Algorithms (GA) are one approach to manage this problem. This paper presents an application of a configurable and portable GA that uses the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) to solve an optimization problem. The paper describes an application for the calibration of the Watershed Erosion Simulation Program (WESP) model to optimize erosion parameters for estimating sediment yield. The calibration of a rainfall–runoff–erosion model requires finding optimal model parameters. The results show that the XML-based GA tool efficiently defined the WESP erosion parameters. Since any application or platform capable of processing XML could utilize this tool, it may be an important alternative for solving other water resources problems.

Key words XML; genetic algorithms; rainfall–runoff–erosion simulation; WESP model; optimization of parameters