Storm Event Suspended Sediment-Discharge Hysteresis and Controls in Agricultural Watersheds: Implications for Watershed Scale Sediment Management

Sophie C. Sherriff (Lead / Corresponding author), John S. Rowan, Owen Fenton, Philip Jordan, Alice R. Melland, Per Erik Mellander, Daire Huallacháin

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    96 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Within agricultural watersheds suspended sediment-discharge hysteresis during storm events is commonly used to indicate dominant sediment sources and pathways. However, availability of high-resolution data, qualitative metrics, longevity of records, and simultaneous multiwatershed analyses has limited the efficacy of hysteresis as a sediment management tool. This two year study utilizes a quantitative hysteresis index from high-resolution suspended sediment and discharge data to assess fluctuations in sediment source location, delivery mechanisms and export efficiency in three intensively farmed watersheds during events over time. Flow-weighted event sediment export was further considered using multivariate techniques to delineate rainfall, stream hydrology, and antecedent moisture controls on sediment origins. Watersheds with low permeability (moderately- or poorly drained soils) with good surface hydrological connectivity, therefore, had contrasting hysteresis due to source location (hillslope versus channel bank). The well-drained watershed with reduced connectivity exported less sediment but, when watershed connectivity was established, the largest event sediment load of all watersheds occurred. Event sediment export was elevated in arable watersheds when low groundcover was coupled with high connectivity, whereas in the grassland watershed, export was attributed to wetter weather only. Hysteresis analysis successfully indicated contrasting seasonality, connectivity and source availability and is a useful tool to identify watershed specific sediment management practices.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1769-1778
    Number of pages10
    JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
    Volume50
    Issue number4
    Early online date19 Jan 2016
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 16 Feb 2016

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Chemistry
    • Environmental Chemistry

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