Interannual variation of suspended sediment load and sediment yield in an alpine catchment

Lenzi, Mario Aristide; Mao, Luca; Comiti, Francesco

doi:10.1623/hysj.48.6.899.51425

Cited by 107 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…in the Danube by a factor up to 2; Summer et al 1994), whereas in many cases no clear trend could be found (Zobrist et al 2004). Higher sediment discharges are usually related to high flows during snowmelt or heavy rainfall in spring, summer and autumn (Lenzi et al 2003;Margreth 2006;Asselman et al 2003). Thus, the greatest transport of fine sediments within the stream occurs in relatively short time periods (Summer et al 1994;Hamm et al 1996).…”

Section: Effects Of Land-use Change On Soil Erosionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and land-use changes affecting river sediment and brown trout in alpine countries—a review

Scheurer

Alewell

Bänninger

et al. 2008

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Background, aim, and scope Catch decline of freshwater fish has been recorded in several countries. Among the possible causes, habitat change is discussed. This article focuses on potentially increased levels of fine sediments going to rivers and their effects on gravel-spawning brown trout. Indications of increased erosion rates are evident from land-use change in agriculture, changes in forest management practices, and from climate change. The latter induces an increase in air and river water temperatures, reduction in permafrost, changes in snow dynamics and an increase in heavy rain events. As a result, an increase in river sediment is likely. Suspended sediment may affect fish health and behaviour directly. Furthermore, sediment loads may clog gravel beds impeding fish such as brown trout from spawning and reducing recruitment rates. To assess the potential impact on fine sediments, knowledge of brown trout reproductive needs and the effects of sediment on brown trout health were evaluated. Approach We critically reviewed the literature and included results from ongoing studies to answer the following questions, focusing on recent decades and rivers in alpine countries.-Have climate change and land-use change increased erosion and sediment loads in rivers? -Do we have indications of an increase in riverbed clogging?-Are there indications of direct or indirect effects on brown trout from increased suspended sediment concentrations in rivers or from an increase in riverbed clogging?Results Rising air temperatures have led to more intensive precipitation in winter months, earlier snow melt in spring, and rising snow lines and hence to increased erosion. Intensification of land use has supported erosion in lowland and prealpine areas in the second half of the twentieth century. In the Alps, however, reforestation of abandoned land at high altitudes might reduce the erosion risk while intensification on the lower, more easily accessible slopes increases erosion risk. Data from laboratory experiments show that suspended sediments affect the health and behaviour of fish when available in high amounts. Point measurements in large rivers indicate no common lethal threat and suspended sediment is rarely measured continuously in small rivers. However, effects on fish can be expected under environmentally relevant conditions. River bed clogging impairs the reproductive performance of gravel-spawning fish. Discussion Overall, higher erosion and increased levels of fine sediment going into rivers are expected in future. Additionally, sediment loads in rivers are suspected to have considerably impaired gravel bed structure and brown trout spawning is impeded. Timing of discharge is put forward and is now more likely to affect brown trout spawning than in previous decades. Conclusions Reports on riverbed clogging from changes in erosion and fine sediment deposition patterns, caused by climate change and land-use change are rare. This review identifies both a risk of increases in climate erosive forces and fine sedi...

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Section: Effects Of Land-use Change On Soil Erosionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and land-use changes affecting river sediment and brown trout in alpine countries—a review

Scheurer

Alewell

Bänninger

et al. 2008

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…Finally, suspended sediment concentrations and yields from single flood events have also been analyzed [Asti, 1999;Lenzi and Marchi, 2000;Lenzi et al, 2003]. …”

Section: Study Basins and Measuring Stationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During this extreme event the channel bed was the main source of sediment for bed load transport [Lenzi et al, 2003] mostly because such a large discharge was able to destroy the streambed armor layer formed over the years. Also, during the September 1994 flood, old sediment sources were reactivated and new ones were created.…”

Section: Temporal Trends In the Bed Load Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnitude‐frequency analysis of bed load data in an Alpine boulder bed stream

Lenzi

Mao

Comiti

2004

Water Resources Research

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120

141

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[1] The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between bed load, channel processes, and sediment sources in mountain basins using data from the Rio Cordon basin (northeastern Italian Alps). The main channel is a steep, boulder bed, step pool stream, and bed load volumes are measured at a special facility where particles >20 mm are trapped. Results from a combined frequency analysis of peak water discharges and total bed load volumes based on 17 years of field data are presented, focusing on discrepancies between recurrence intervals of peak discharge and bed load volume for each event. A cause of major disturbance is a high-magnitude, low-recurrence event that occurred in 1994. Dimensional and nondimensional bed load intensity-duration curves are also reported, which emphasize differences between short-and long-duration events. The relationship flow-bed load rates (investigated using a total of 180 data) shows no breakpoints, and two different curves are evident, representing pre-1994 and post-1994 floods, respectively. The analysis demonstrates both the control exerted by sediment availability on bed load transport rates and the persisting long-term impact of major floods on mountain streams.

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“…However, less is known about the hysteresis effect, production and transport of suspended sediment from small agricultural drainage basins, which can be considered as one of the most important sediment sources. From a practical point of view, it is necessary to improve understanding of the processes related to sediment dynamics at the small basin scale for modelling and prediction of suspended sediment load, mainly during single events, which are significant for the total annual sediment load (Lenzi et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hysteresis effect in suspended sediment concentration in the Rybárik basin, Slovakia / Effet d'hystérèse dans la concentration des sédiments en suspension dans le bassin versant de Rybárik (Slovaquie)

Bača

2008

Hydrological Sciences Journal

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Suspended sediment dynamics influenced by rainstorms and factors controlling changes in suspended sediment concentrations, were investigated during hydrological events in a small scale, since small agricultural drainage basins can be considered as one of the most important sediment sources. Suspended sediment concentrations were measured during discharge waves in the years 1987-1990, 1992, 2000 and 2001. Positive and anti-clockwise hysteresis was observed at Rybárik basin. A procedure of isolating factors controlling suspended sediment concentrations and dynamics has given a more realistic view on production and transport of suspended sediment. It is confirmed that spatial and temporal variability of sediment availability and suspended sediment dilution by the baseflow, mainly in the case of two or more waves immediately following one after another, significantly control suspended sediment concentrations and dynamics.Key words hysteresis; Rybárik basin, Slovakia; sediment availability; suspended sediment dynamics Effet d'hystérèse dans la concentration des sédiments en suspension dans le bassin versant de Rybárik (Slovaquie)Résumé La dynamique des sédiments en suspension, sous influence de la pluie et de facteurs qui contrôlent la concentration en sédiments en suspension, a été étudiée lors d'événements hydrologiques dans un bassin de petite taille; les petits bassins versants agricoles pouvant être considérés comme une des plus importantes sources de sédiments. Les concentrations en sédiments en suspension ont été mesurées au cours de crues en 1987-1990, 1992, 2000 et 2001. Des hystérèses positives et négatives ont été observées dans le bassin versant de Rybárik. Une procédure d'isolement des facteurs qui contrôlent les concentrations et dynamiques des sédiments en suspension a donné une vision plus réaliste de la production et du transport des sédiments en suspension. Il s'avère que la variabilité spatiale et temporelle de la disponibilité des sédiments et de la dilution des sédiments par l'écoulement de base, essentiellement dans le cas de deux ou plusieurs crues successives proches, contrôle de manière significative les concentrations et la dynamique des sédiments en suspension.

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Interannual variation of suspended sediment load and sediment yield in an alpine catchment

Cited by 107 publications

References 14 publications

Climate and land-use changes affecting river sediment and brown trout in alpine countries—a review

Climate and land-use changes affecting river sediment and brown trout in alpine countries—a review

Magnitude‐frequency analysis of bed load data in an Alpine boulder bed stream

Hysteresis effect in suspended sediment concentration in the Rybárik basin, Slovakia / Effet d'hystérèse dans la concentration des sédiments en suspension dans le bassin versant de Rybárik (Slovaquie)

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