Clay dispersion: An important factor in channel runoff generation in a semi-arid, loess-covered area with very low rain intensities
Abstract
Overland flow is usually regarded as an important contributor to storm channel flow. This observation is certainly applicable to dryland areas, where base flow is often irrelevant, particularly in small watersheds. This study examines channel runoff generation in the extensive loess-covered areas that characterize the mildly arid area of western Israel, where the average annual rainfall is 280 mm. Hydrological data point to a peculiar hydrological behavior of the ephemeral streams that experience a high frequency of sporadic channel flow events. Even in extreme rain events, peak discharges are exceptionally low, indicative of a limited contributing area. Hydrographs are characterized by very steep rising and falling limbs, usually representative of saturated areas, located in the vicinity of the runoff recording station. Based on this observation, we advanced the hypothesis that storm runoff originated in the limited area of the active channel, with negligible runoff from the adjoining... hillslopes. We argue that a quasi-permanent surface seal, at the top of the alluvial deposit, drastically limits the hydraulic conductivity of the alluvial fill, allowing runoff generation at very low rain intensities. The occurrence of the surface seal is ascribed to the combination of two main factors. A high clay content (similar to 40%), where the dominant clays are smectite and illite, characterized by a laminar structure and a high-water absorption capacity. The swelling of the clay particles considerably reduce the porosity of the alluvial material, allowing runoff generation at very low rain intensities while limiting the depth of water penetration in the channel itself. Data presented fit the concept of "Partial Area Contribution" identified in humid areas. However, the application of this concept to dryland areas is based on completely different reasons.
Keywords:
Semi-arid areas / High frequency of storm channel flow / Very low peak flows / Partial area contribution / Clay dispersionSource:
Geomorphology, 2018, 320, 179-186Publisher:
- Elsevier
Funding / projects:
- Soil Erosion Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture, Israel - 032-3298
- Geochemical investigations of sedimentary rocks - fossil fuels and environmental pollutants (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-176006)
DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.08.008
ISSN: 0169-555X
WoS: 000445981900013
Scopus: 2-s2.0-85051652270
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IHTMTY - JOUR AU - Yair, Aaron AU - Goldshleger, Naftaly AU - Kašanin-Grubin, Milica PY - 2018 UR - https://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2368 AB - Overland flow is usually regarded as an important contributor to storm channel flow. This observation is certainly applicable to dryland areas, where base flow is often irrelevant, particularly in small watersheds. This study examines channel runoff generation in the extensive loess-covered areas that characterize the mildly arid area of western Israel, where the average annual rainfall is 280 mm. Hydrological data point to a peculiar hydrological behavior of the ephemeral streams that experience a high frequency of sporadic channel flow events. Even in extreme rain events, peak discharges are exceptionally low, indicative of a limited contributing area. Hydrographs are characterized by very steep rising and falling limbs, usually representative of saturated areas, located in the vicinity of the runoff recording station. Based on this observation, we advanced the hypothesis that storm runoff originated in the limited area of the active channel, with negligible runoff from the adjoining hillslopes. We argue that a quasi-permanent surface seal, at the top of the alluvial deposit, drastically limits the hydraulic conductivity of the alluvial fill, allowing runoff generation at very low rain intensities. The occurrence of the surface seal is ascribed to the combination of two main factors. A high clay content (similar to 40%), where the dominant clays are smectite and illite, characterized by a laminar structure and a high-water absorption capacity. The swelling of the clay particles considerably reduce the porosity of the alluvial material, allowing runoff generation at very low rain intensities while limiting the depth of water penetration in the channel itself. Data presented fit the concept of "Partial Area Contribution" identified in humid areas. However, the application of this concept to dryland areas is based on completely different reasons. PB - Elsevier T2 - Geomorphology T1 - Clay dispersion: An important factor in channel runoff generation in a semi-arid, loess-covered area with very low rain intensities VL - 320 SP - 179 EP - 186 DO - 10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.08.008 ER -
@article{ author = "Yair, Aaron and Goldshleger, Naftaly and Kašanin-Grubin, Milica", year = "2018", abstract = "Overland flow is usually regarded as an important contributor to storm channel flow. This observation is certainly applicable to dryland areas, where base flow is often irrelevant, particularly in small watersheds. This study examines channel runoff generation in the extensive loess-covered areas that characterize the mildly arid area of western Israel, where the average annual rainfall is 280 mm. Hydrological data point to a peculiar hydrological behavior of the ephemeral streams that experience a high frequency of sporadic channel flow events. Even in extreme rain events, peak discharges are exceptionally low, indicative of a limited contributing area. Hydrographs are characterized by very steep rising and falling limbs, usually representative of saturated areas, located in the vicinity of the runoff recording station. Based on this observation, we advanced the hypothesis that storm runoff originated in the limited area of the active channel, with negligible runoff from the adjoining hillslopes. We argue that a quasi-permanent surface seal, at the top of the alluvial deposit, drastically limits the hydraulic conductivity of the alluvial fill, allowing runoff generation at very low rain intensities. The occurrence of the surface seal is ascribed to the combination of two main factors. A high clay content (similar to 40%), where the dominant clays are smectite and illite, characterized by a laminar structure and a high-water absorption capacity. The swelling of the clay particles considerably reduce the porosity of the alluvial material, allowing runoff generation at very low rain intensities while limiting the depth of water penetration in the channel itself. Data presented fit the concept of "Partial Area Contribution" identified in humid areas. However, the application of this concept to dryland areas is based on completely different reasons.", publisher = "Elsevier", journal = "Geomorphology", title = "Clay dispersion: An important factor in channel runoff generation in a semi-arid, loess-covered area with very low rain intensities", volume = "320", pages = "179-186", doi = "10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.08.008" }
Yair, A., Goldshleger, N.,& Kašanin-Grubin, M.. (2018). Clay dispersion: An important factor in channel runoff generation in a semi-arid, loess-covered area with very low rain intensities. in Geomorphology Elsevier., 320, 179-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.08.008
Yair A, Goldshleger N, Kašanin-Grubin M. Clay dispersion: An important factor in channel runoff generation in a semi-arid, loess-covered area with very low rain intensities. in Geomorphology. 2018;320:179-186. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.08.008 .
Yair, Aaron, Goldshleger, Naftaly, Kašanin-Grubin, Milica, "Clay dispersion: An important factor in channel runoff generation in a semi-arid, loess-covered area with very low rain intensities" in Geomorphology, 320 (2018):179-186, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.08.008 . .