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Quantification of the daily dynamics of streamflow components in a small alpine watershed in Switzerland using end member mixing analysis

Rahman, Kazi ; Besacier-Monbertrand, Anne-Laure ; Castella, Emmanuel ; Lods-Crozet, Brigitte ; Ilg, Christiane ; Beguin, Olga

In: Environmental Earth Sciences, 2015, vol. 74, no. 6, p. 4927-4937

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    Titre
    • Quantification of the daily dynamics of streamflow components in a small alpine watershed in Switzerland using end member mixing analysis
    Auteur
    • Rahman, Kazi. Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Battelle. Building D, 7 route de Drize, 1227, Carouge, Switzerland
    • Besacier-Monbertrand, Anne-Laure. Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Battelle. Building D, 7 route de Drize, 1227, Carouge, Switzerland
    • Castella, Emmanuel. Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Battelle. Building D, 7 route de Drize, 1227, Carouge, Switzerland
    • Lods-Crozet, Brigitte. Forel Institute, University of Geneva, 10 route de Suisse, CP 416, 1290, Versoix, Switzerland
    • Ilg, Christiane. HEPIA Lullier, Jussy, Switzerland
    • Beguin, Olga. Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Battelle. Building D, 7 route de Drize, 1227, Carouge, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Inglese
    Publié dans
    • Environmental Earth Sciences, 2015, vol. 74, no. 6, p. 4927-4937. Springer Berlin Heidelberg
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:332178
    Summary
    There is a growing need to improve our understanding of catchment flow generation processes, especially in alpine watersheds, where the aquatic biodiversity is dependent upon the types of water sources and their seasonal dynamics. In order to identify and quantify the potential sources that contribute to stream runoff, Water samples were collected and discharge was measured. Other physical variables like electric conductivity and water temperature were also collected twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. These measurements continued for two to four consecutive days. In situ measurements were done for temperature, electric conductivity and turbidity of water at different temporal scale. Mass spectrometry was done to analyze silica and sulfate along with chlorine. Three different water sources were identified based on their physiochemical characteristics: glacier melt water, quickly routed surface runoff, and slowly routed ground water. Principal component analysis was performed in order to reduce dimensionality of the chemistry data independently in two hydrological years. End member mixing analysis was carried out for morning and afternoon data to describe the daily variation of runoff components. Our study suggests that glacier melt component has a strong daily variation, which influences the magnitude and timing of peak flow. A sign of early melt and accumulation can be seen in this watershed based on the studied years.