Using Sediment Budgets to Investigate the Pathogen Flux Through Catchments

Abstract

We demonstrate a materials budget approach to identify the main source areas and fluxes of pathogens through a landscape by using the flux of fine sediments as a proxyfor pathogens. Sediment budgets were created for three subcatchment tributaries of the Googong Reservoir in south-eastern New South Wales, Australia. Major inputs, sources, stores, and transport zones were estimated using sediment sampling, dam trap efficiency measures, and radionuclide tracing. Particle size analyses were used to quantify the fine-sediment component of the total sediment flux, from which the pathogen flux was inferred by considering the differences between the mobility and transportation of fine sediments and pathogens. Gullies were identified as important sources of fine sediment, and therefore of pathogens, with the pathogen risk compounded when cattle shelter in them during wet periods. The results also indicate that the degree of landscape modification influences both sediment and pathogen mobilization. Farm dams, swampy meadows and glades along drainage paths lower the flux of fine sediment, and therefore pathogens, in this landscape during low-flow periods. However, high-rainfall and high-flow events are likely to transport most of the fine sediment, and therefore pathogen, flux from the Googong landscape to the reservoir. Materials budgets are a repeatable and comparatively low-cost method for investigating the pathogen flux through a landscape.

Spatial prediction of USDA‐ great soil groups in the arid Zarand region, Iran: comparing logistic regression approaches to predict diagnostic horizons and soil types

“…The multi‐resolution valley bottom flatness index (MrVBF) identifies flat valley bottoms and WI indicates the degree of wetness (Wang & Laffan, 2009). These indices indicate potential zones of transport for many materials, particularly sediment and other materials in excess water flow (Whiteway et al , 2004). Therefore, MrVBF and WI act indirectly in the identification of some of the great groups, particularly Haplosalids, Haplocalcids and Calcigypsids.…”

Comparing data mining classifiers to predict spatial distribution of USDA-family soil groups in Baneh region, Iran

“…This confirmed that the terrain attributes were the most effective characteristics in predicting the family classes, indicating that the relief is the most important factor explaining the formed soils. The wetness index MrVBF indicates potential zones of transport for many materials, particularly sediment and other materials in excess water flow (Whiteway et al, 2004). The geomorphology map also was a powerful predictor in model fitting.…”

Sediment budget analysis of slope–channel coupling and in-channel sediment storage in an upland catchment, southeastern Australia

“…Previous research includes the work by Loughran et al (1981Loughran et al ( , 1986Loughran et al ( , 1992) in a small (1.7 km 2 ) subcatchment of the Hunter River (coastal New South Wales). More recently, Whiteway et al (2004) developed fine sediment budgets for three small upland catchments (0.38-1.52 km 2 ) in southern New South Wales, which was used to investigate pathogen flux through the catchments. The aims of this study are twofold: firstly, to undertake detailed short-term monitoring of erosion processes, sediment sources, channel storage, and catchment fine sediment output; and secondly, to integrate this data into a sediment budget for the study catchment in order to provide insight into slope-channel coupling and in-channel sediment storage dynamics.…”