CATCHMENT RESPONSE TIME AS A PREDICTOR OF FLOOD QUANTILES1

ABSTRACT: A regression analysis using a generalized least squares approach on flow data from the driftless area of Wisconsin indicates that the ratio of drainage area to time-to-peak is a good predictor of flood quantiles. The estimation of time-to-peak (or some other measure of basin response time) requires direct measurement of river stage and possibly rainfall at the site of which the quantiles are to be estimated. The cost-effectiveness of such an approach must yet be determined.     

土地利用类型及其社会经济特征对河流水质的影响

流域尺度上土地利用类型与水体水质之间存在相关关系,这种相关关系同时会受到各种社会经济活动的影响.在自然或半自然区域内,土地利用类型与水质的相关关系比较显著.然而,在城市区域内社会经济活动将会影响土地利用类型与水质的相关关系.为证实这一现象的存在,选取京津地区11个小流域为研究对象,分别从小流域综合分析和小流域聚类分析2个角度,分析土地利用类型及其社会经济特征与河流水质的关系,并以温榆河小流域情景分析进一步探讨社会经济因素对土地利用类型与河流水质关系的影响,结果显示,聚类分析中,半自然区域中小流域的TN、TP、NH4+-N均与土地利用类型相关,而城市区域中小流域的TN、TP、NH4+-N均与社会经济因素相关,社会经济因素的差异改变甚至削弱了土地利用类型与河流水质的相关性,验证了假设现象的存在.因此,在跨域城乡梯度的区域尺度研究水体水质及其影响因素的相关性时,需要综合考虑土地利用类型及其社会经济特征.     

合肥城郊典型农业小流域土壤磷形态及淋失风险分析

为掌握合肥城郊二十埠河某农业小流域土壤磷形态及淋失风险水平,在汇水区采集132份表层土壤样.在分析测试基础上,利用ArcGIS软件中Kriging插值模拟技术,解析总磷(TP)、生物有效性磷(Bio-P)的空间分布特征及土壤有效磷(OlsenP)和易解吸磷(CaCl_2-P)的空间变异性;剖析土壤磷素富集水平;并通过确定土壤磷素的淋失临界值,评估汇水区土壤磷素流失风险.结果表明,汇流区土壤TP和Bio-P含量较高的采样点位主要出现在左支流的上游和两支流交汇处的右侧局部区域;土壤磷形态富集系数由大到小排序为:Ca-P(15.01)OP(4.16)TP(3.42)IP(2.94)Ex-P(2.76)Fe/Al-P(2.43)Olsen-P(2.34);土壤有效磷淋失临界值为18.388 mg·kg~(-1),超过临界值的样本数占样本总数的16.6%,高淋失风险区主要分布在左支流上游、右支流中游及两支流汇流处下游的局部地区.     

Modelling multiple dispersion of radionuclides through the environment

The migration of a contaminant through the environment is the result of the transport by a variety of biotic and abiotic carriers which move according to different dispersion mechanisms. Consequently, the patterns of the distribution of a pollutant in the environment cannot be ever explained on the basis of a single migration process or assuming that the concentrations of contaminant in the different kinds of carriers quickly reach the equilibrium condition. The present work discusses two examples (wash-off from catchments and transport through soils of radionuclides) that clearly demonstrate the inadequacy of “single dispersion” models to predict these patterns. On the contrary, models based on multiple dispersion can successfully simulate the particular features of the above mentioned processes. It was demonstrated that the time behaviour of radionuclide migration rates from catchment of different rivers vary within small ranges as a consequence of multiple dispersion. This result can be useful for the development of generic predictive models.     

STREAMFLOW MODELING OF UPPER INDUS RIVER CATCHMENTS1

ABSTRACT: The streamflows of three tributaries, Siran, Haro, and Soan in the upper Indus River catchment in Pakistan were simulated using SSARR and Tank Models. Channel characteristics of the main Indus River were also determined using the two models. The basin characteristics were derived by trial and error method and were verified using the data for the period 1964–1970. Comparison of the two model performances showed that low flows were better reproduced by SSARR while the high flows were simulated with equal accuracy by both the models.     

LAND-USE AND UPLAND WATER RESOURCES IN BRITAIN - A STRATEGIC LOOK1

ABSTRACT: Recent results from the Institute of Hydrology's hydrometeorological and hydrological studies on water use by forest and grassland confirm earlier predictions of a reduction in water yields following afforestation. This reduction is due primarily to the increased interception losses from forests. This paper shows how the water yield from uplands is related to the relative proportions of land under forest and hill farming, and estimates how water yields will change if a greater proportion of hill land is afforested.     

Impact of Urban Growth and High Residential Irrigation on Streamflow and Groundwater Levels in a Peri‐Urban Semiarid Catchment

The impact of urbanization on groundwater is not simple to understand, as it depends on a variety of factors such as climate, hydrogeology, water management practices, and infrastructure. In semiarid landscapes, the urbanization processes can involve high water consumptions and irrigation increases, which in turn may contribute to groundwater recharge. We assessed the hydrological impacts of urbanization and irrigation rates in an Andean peri‐urban catchment located in Chile, in a semiarid climate. For this purpose, we built and validated a coupled surface–groundwater model that allows the verification of a strong stream–aquifer interaction in areas with shallow groundwater, higher than some sewers and portions of the stream. Moreover, we also identified a significant local recharge associated with pipe leaks and inefficient urban irrigation. From the evaluation of different future scenarios, we found a sustainable water conservation scenario will decrease the current groundwater levels, while the median flow reduces from 408 to 389 L/s, and the low flow (Q_95%) from 43 to 22L/s. Overall, our results show the relevance of integrating the modeling of surface and subsurface water resources at different spatial and temporal scales, when assessing the effect of urban development and the suitability of urban water practices.     

Groundwater in the Limpopo Basin: occurrence,use and impact

The Limpopo River Basin is underlain by an alluvial aquifer along the main river stem and fractured water-bearing units in tributary catchments. Notwithstanding that development priorities in parts of the basin in South Africa have historically preferred surface water sources for irrigation and domestic supply, water resources auditing suggests that groundwater presents the only viable alternative source of cost-effective supply to meet future requirements. However, while aquifer yields are favourable in places, averaging 16.7 l/s for main-stem alluvium, groundwater is already extensively used. Between 1995 and 2002, total groundwater use in the area rose by almost 40%, increasing from 98 to 136 million m³ per year. In all catchments, groundwater use grew by varying proportions, reaching a rather high 200% in the Mogalakwena catchment. In the particular case of commercial irrigation, over-exploitation of groundwater has been recorded in a number of places, especially in the northwest where drawdowns of more than 50 m have resulted from decades of intense agricultural water use. Although groundwater use for mining is still low at 4% of total usage in the study area, the region is currently witnessing a surge in mining operations, and a significant growth in water requirements is envisaged for mining development. Further, domestic water supply to the predominantly rural dwellers in the area is relatively low, even in terms of meeting the basic need of 25 l/day per person, underscoring the fact that groundwater will remain a critical source of community drinking water in the foreseeable future. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

黄土丘陵区小流域土地覆被变化对径流产沙量的影响

为探讨黄土丘陵区小流域土地覆被变化特征及其对流域径流产沙量的影响,以黄土丘陵区吕二沟、罗玉沟及其嵌套流域(桥子沟)等3个小流域为研究对象,运用数理统计学、配对流域等方法定量分析了3个小流域不同研究时段内土地覆被变化对径流产沙量的影响.结果表明,1982~2004年间,林地面积以1.07%/a的速率快速递增是吕二沟流域土地覆被变化的最明显特征,而罗玉沟流域在国家坡改梯工程影响下,坡耕地面积大幅减少,1986~1995年间约73%坡耕地转化为梯田;结合配对流域法可知,土地覆被变化是导致流域径流和产沙减少的主要原因,在相同降雨条件下,径流深、泥沙量分别减少43.76%和35.23%.流域年径流模数与年降水量和流域森林覆被率均呈指数关系,流域森林覆被率增加5%,径流模数可减少18.43%~37.58%.