Short Report: Identifying Sources of Subsurface Flow—A Theoretical Framework Assessing Hydrological Implications of Lithological Discontinuities

Abstract

An integrative theoretical concept-combining scientific approaches from soil science and slope hydrology-is given as a framework to study the influence of depth functions of geochemical concentrations for trace elements, dissolved organic carbon and stable isotopes in the soil pore water of stratified soils on the chemical composition of the hillslope runoff. Combining investigations at the point and hillslope scale opens the opportunity to identify sources of subsurface runoff components using geochemical depth functions as proxies.

Phosphorus fractions in preferential flow pathways and soil matrix in hillslope soils in the Thuringian Forest (Central Germany)

“…Further, subsurface flow occurs at the highly conductive zone between the bedrock surface and the adjacent saturated soil matrix (Hill et al, 1999;Buttle and McDonald, 2002;Weiler et al, 2005;Graham et al, 2010). The low mountain ranges in Central Europe are often overlain by periglacial cover beds which strongly influence subsurface runoff and perched water table development (Bachmair et al, 2012;Reiss and Chifflard, 2014). Such periglacial layers particularly differ in terms of texture, bulk density, and rock content (cf Sauer, 2002;Semmel and Terhorst, 2010).…”

Depth function of manganese (Mn) concentration in soil solutions: Hydropedological translocation of trace elements in stratified soils

“…The research and sampling design is based on a multi-scale approach (Reiss and Chifflard, 2014) combining experimental research at the point and hillslope scale in a small forested catchment (0.241 km 2 ) characterized by cover beds in Central-Germanycalled KrofdorferForst(Location: +50° 41' 3.69", +8° 38' 38.87"; Figure 1). The catchment is devoid of any riparian zone and is characterized by hillslopes that issue directly into the receiving creek.…”

Investigation of subsurface connectivity and subsurface stormflow in low mountain ranges—Findings from the two research catchments Obere Brachtpe and Bohlmicke (Germany)

“…In the two catchments, detailed physically based investigations on runoff processes have been carried out since 1999 (Chifflard et al, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2018; Chifflard & Zepp, 2008; Didszun et al, 2002; Moldenhauer et al, 2013; Rezzoug et al, 2005; Zepp & Herget, 2001). The results obtained in these two catchments helped to further understand how antecedent soil moisture, stratified soils (periglacial cover beds) and topography (slope form) impact subsurface connectivity and subsurface stormflow generation (Chifflard et al, 2008, 2019; Reiss & Chifflard, 2014). The process knowledge gained, which was presented at many conferences and in many publications, was the basis for the scientific network ‘Subsurface Stormflow ‐ A well‐recognized but still challenging process in Catchment Hydrology’ (https://www.online.uni-marburg.de/ssf/) (2016–2021), and the research unit ‘Fast and invisible: conquering subsurface stormflow through an interdisciplinary multisite approach’ (2022–2025), both financed by the German Research Foundation (DFG), as well as for the discussion of open questions regarding the subsurface stormflow generation (Blöschl et al, 2019; Chifflard et al, 2019).…”

“…In the two catchments, detailed physically based investigations on runoff processes have been carried out since 1999 (Chifflard et al, , 2010(Chifflard et al, , 2011(Chifflard et al, , 2018Didszun et al, 2002;Moldenhauer et al, 2013;Rezzoug et al, 2005;Zepp & Herget, 2001). The results obtained in these two catchments helped to further understand how antecedent soil moisture, stratified soils (periglacial cover beds) and topography (slope form) impact subsurface connectivity and subsurface stormflow generation (Chifflard et al, , 2019Reiss & Chifflard, 2014). The process knowledge gained, which was presented at many conferences and in many publi- The temporal variability of subsurface connectivity between lower slope positions and the stream has been proven by the combination of tracer-hydrological (catchment scale) and hydrometric measurements (plot scale) during different rainfall/runoff events (Figure 3).…”