Search results for "Surface runoff"
showing 10 items of 241 documents
Assessing an overland flow resistance approach under equilibrium sediment transport conditions
2021
Abstract In this study, for the first time, a theoretically deduced flow resistance equation was tested for an overland flow under equilibrium sediment transport conditions using available experimental data by Liu et al. for five Chinese soils. Initially the relationship among the velocity profile parameter Γ, the channel slope, the flow Reynolds number, the Froude number and the sediment concentration was calibrated using 90 measurements of the available database (Loessial, Cinnamon and Black soil) and tested by other 60 measurements (Red and Purple soil). The results proved that the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor can be accurately estimated by the proposed theoretical approach, with error…
Testing a theoretically-based overland flow resistance law by Emmett’s database
2021
Abstract The main aim of this paper was to test a recently theoretically deduced flow resistance equation, based on a power-velocity profile, using a wide database of available measurements carried out in laboratory and field experimental runs with overland flow under simulated rainfall. In comparison with previous calibrations and validations of this theoretically deduced flow resistance equation, the used database by Emmett is characterized by a wide range of rainfall intensities (from 79.2 to 303.5 mm h−1 for laboratory runs and from 178.3 to 215.9 mm h−1 for field investigations) and bed slopes (from 0.33 to 17% for laboratory runs and from 2.9 to 33.2% for field investigations). For th…
Subsurface flow and large-scale lateral saturated soil hydraulic conductivity in a Mediterranean hillslope with contrasting land uses
2017
Abstract The lateral saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks,l , is the soil property that mostly governs subsurface flow in hillslopes. Determinations of Ks,l at the hillslope scale are expected to yield valuable information for interpreting and modeling hydrological processes since soil heterogeneities are functionally averaged in this case. However, these data are rare since the experiments are quite difficult and costly. In this investigation, that was carried out in Sardinia (Italy), large-scale determinations of Ks,l were done in two adjacent hillslopes covered by a Mediterranean maquis and grass, respectively, with the following objectives: i) to evaluate the effect of land use change o…
Effect of cultivation techniques on the hydrodynamic and mechanical behaviour of the "Lauragais-terreforts"
1993
The effect of various seed bed preparations on hydrodynamic and mechanical parameters was studied experimentally by simulated rainfall on clayeyloamy soils Lauragais, which had developed on chalky molasse on a slope greater than 12 %. The level of soaked up rain ("pluie d'imbibition", Pi) is closely connected to the inital degree of saturation of the soil ; it varies from 10 to 24 mm when the soil is humid and increases when the soil is dry (14 to 47 mm). But when the soil surface is crusted the Pi is less and seems to be no longer controlled by the degree of water in the soil. Treatments with fine structural elements show the fewest possibilities of infiltration during the soaking up stage…
Simulated raindrop's characteristic measurements. A new approach of image processing tested under laboratory rainfall simulation
2018
Abstract The size of the drops determines soil erosion and runoff rates, and then the fate of ecosystems. Various raindrop measurement techniques and tools have been developed to determine natural and simulated raindrop size distributions and mean drop size. There is a need to improve the procedure to determine the raindrop properties, and this is why we develop a new technique to analyze drop size distribution and fall velocity. For this purpose a rainfall simulator with two oscillating Veejet 80100 nozzles in laboratory condition, and high speed imaging technique and edge detection approach in image processing was applied to identify and measure drop size and calculate drop velocity. The …
Surface soil humidity retrieval by means of a semi-empirical coupled SAR model
2010
In the last years, the availability of new technologies of Earth Observation encouraged researches to use integrated approaches for environmental monitoring. Even for agro-hydrological applications, remotely sensed data are available on wide areas allowing the retrieval of cost-effective and representative estimation of high spatial and temporal variability of the soil-vegetation system variables. In particular, soil water content plays an important role determining the partition of precipitation between surface runoff and infiltration and, moreover, influences the distribution of the incoming radiation between latent and sensible heat flux. As a consequence, distributed soil water content …
The role of plant species on runoff and soil erosion in a Mediterranean shrubland.
2021
Shrubland is a Mediterranean biome characterized by densely growing evergreen shrubs adapted to fire events. To date, scientific research has focused on the impact of vegetation on soil erosion mainly through the control that plant biomass or plant cover exerts on sediment delivery and runoff discharge, being the individual plant species influence on hydrological and erosional processes not achieved in detail. The objective of this research is to determine: i) runoff and soil losses in a shrubland-covered rangeland at Sierra de Enguera, Spain; and ii) how four plant species affect soil and water losses. We measured soil cover, soil properties, runoff discharge and sediment yield under natur…
Short-term changes in infiltration between straw mulched and non-mulched soils after wildfire in Mediterranean forest ecosystems
2018
Abstract Water infiltration is a basic parameter to understand the hydrological response of semi-arid or arid soils – where runoff generation is dominated by infiltration-excess – subjected to wildfire. To evaluate the hydrological effects of straw application on a sandy loam soil after wildfire, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, water content and temperature of mulched and nonmulched (considered as control) soils were monitored throughout eight months. Compared to untreated soils, straw maintained higher temperatures and water contents in mulched plots, but reduced their unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, particularly in the drier season. These results suggest that straw release may…
The impact of soil erosion on soil fertility and vine vigor. A multidisciplinary approach based on field, laboratory and remote sensing approaches
2018
Soil erosion processes in vineyards, beyond surface runoff and sediment transport, have a strong effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) loss and redistribution along the slope. Variation in SOC across the landscape can determine differences in soil fertility and vine vigor. The goal of this research was to analyze the interactions among vines vigor, sediment delivery and SOC in a sloping vineyard located in Sicily. Six pedons were studied along the slope by digging 6 pits up to 60 cm depth. Soil was sampled every 10 cm and SOC, water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) were analyzed. Erosion rates, detachment and deposition areas were measured by the po…
Effects of soil management techniques on soil water erosion in apricot orchards.
2016
Soil erosion is extreme in Mediterranean orchards due to management impact, high rainfall intensities, steep slopes and erodible parent material. Vall d'Albaida is a traditional fruit production area which, due to the Mediterranean climate and marly soils, produces sweet fruits. However, these highly productive soils are left bare under the prevailing land management and marly soils are vulnerable to soil water erosion when left bare. In this paper we study the impact of different agricultural land management strategies on soil properties (bulk density, soil organic matter, soil moisture), soil water erosion and runoff, by means of simulated rainfall experiments and soil analyses. Three rep…