Using numerical modelling to evaluate the capillary fringe groundwater ridging hypothesis of streamflow generation

Cloke, Hannah; Anderson, M. G.; McDonnell, Jeffrey J.; Renaud, J.‐P.

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.04.017

Cited by 67 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…When displacement of relatively "old" groundwater largely contributes to subsurface runoff production, as found by Sklash and Farvolden (1979), Cloke et al (2006), Wenninger et al (2004) and Graeff et al (2009), first order controls are not that obvious any more (Uhlenbrook et al, 2002;Wenninger et al, 2004). Transmission of pressure signals could be a possible explanation for the mobilization of a high amount of pre-event water (Buttle and Peters, 1997;Uhlenbrook et al, 2002;Wenninger et al, 2004).…”

Section: Threshold Controls In Lateral Subsurface Flowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Threshold behaviour in hydrological systems as (human) geo-ecosystems: manifestations, controls, implications

Zehe¹,

Sivapalan

2009

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

196

139

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Abstract. In this paper we review threshold behaviour in environmental systems, which are often associated with the onset of floods, contamination and erosion events, and other degenerative processes. Key objectives of this review are to a) suggest indicators for detecting threshold behavior, b) discuss their implications for predictability, c) distinguish different forms of threshold behavior and their underlying controls, and d) hypothesise on possible reasons for why threshold behaviour might occur. Threshold behaviour involves a fast qualitative change of either a single process or the response of a system. For elementary phenomena this switch occurs when boundary conditions (e.g., energy inputs) or system states as expressed by dimensionless quantities (e.g. the Reynolds number) exceed threshold values. Mixing, water movement or depletion of thermodynamic gradients becomes much more efficient as a result. Intermittency is a very good indicator for detecting event scale threshold behavior in hydrological systems. Predictability of intermittent processes/system responses is inherently low for combinations of systems states and/or boundary conditions that push the system close to a threshold. Post hoc identification of "cause-effect relations" to explain when the system became critical is inherently difficult because of our limited ability to perform observations under controlled identical experimental conditions. In this review, we distinguish three forms of threshold behavior. The first one is threshold behavior at the Correspondence to: E. Zehe (e.zehe@bv.tum.de) process level that is controlled by the interplay of local soil characteristics and states, vegetation and the rainfall forcing. Overland flow formation, particle detachment and preferential flow are examples of this. The second form of threshold behaviour is the response of systems of intermediate complexity -e.g., catchment runoff response and sediment yield -governed by the redistribution of water and sediments in space and time. These are controlled by the topological architecture of the catchments that interacts with system states and the boundary conditions. Crossing the response thresholds means to establish connectedness of surface or subsurface flow paths to the catchment outlet. Subsurface stormflow in humid areas, overland flow and erosion in semi-arid and arid areas are examples, and explain that crossing local process thresholds is necessary but not sufficient to trigger a system response threshold. The third form of threshold behaviour involves changes in the "architecture" of human geoecosystems, which experience various disturbances. As a result substantial change in hydrological functioning of a system is induced, when the disturbances exceed the resilience of the geo-ecosystem. We present examples from savannah ecosystems, humid agricultural systems, mining activities affecting rainfall runoff in forested areas, badlands formation in Spain, and the restoration of the Upper Rhine river basin as examples of this phenomenon. This fun...

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Section: Threshold Controls In Lateral Subsurface Flowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Threshold behaviour in hydrological systems as (human) geo-ecosystems: manifestations, controls, implications

Zehe¹,

Sivapalan

2009

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

196

139

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“…This mechanism has since been discussed controversially. McDonnell and Buttle (1998) and Cloke et al (2006) conclude that the 'capillary fringe groundwater ridging hypothesis' can explain high proportions of pre-event water only in a limited number of riparian zone settings. Other recent studies emphasized the critical role of soil water chemistry, residence time and hydrodynamic mixing processes within the riparian zone (Bishop et al, 2004;Burt, 2005;Jones et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subsurface storm flow formation at different hillslopes and implications for the ‘old water paradox’

Kienzler

Naef

2007

Hydrological Processes

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Abstract:Although many studies over the past several decades have documented the importance of subsurface stormflow (SSF) in hillslopes, its formation is still not well understood. Therefore, we studied SSF formation in the vadose soil zone at four different hillslopes during controlled sprinkling experiments and natural rainfall events. Event and pre-event water fractions were determined using artificially traced sprinkling water and 222 Rn as natural tracer. SSF formation and the fraction of pre-event water varied substantially at different hillslopes. Both intensity of SSF and fraction of pre-event water depended on whether SSF in preferential flow paths was fed directly from precipitation or was fed indirectly from saturated parts of the soil. Soil water was rapidly mobilized from saturated patches in the soil matrix and was subsequently released into larger pores, where it mixed with event water. Substantial amounts of pre-event water, therefore, were contained in fast flow components like subsurface storm flow and also in overland flow. This finding has consequences for commonly used hydrograph separation methods and might explain part of the 'old water paradox'.

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“…Groundwater ridging: In sloped areas at the edge of the peatland, capillary effects in conjunction with the infiltration of rainwater are suggested to cause disproportionally high increases of the water table known as ‗ground water ridging' which subsequently lead to the discharge of pre-event water to adjacent streams [15,26,77,100,101]. Other non-Darcy type of vertical, up-gradient water movement may be associated with fluctuating groundwater tables caused by seasonal (i.e., changes in the climatic net-water balance), diurnal (e.g., solar cycle driven oscillation of evapotranspiration, plant growth, etc.)…”

Section: Upward (Non Gradient) Water Flow Through Overlying Peatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peatlands as Filters for Polluted Mine Water?—A Case Study from an Uranium-Contaminated Karst System in South Africa—Part II: Examples from Literature and a Conceptual Filter Model

Winde

2011

Water

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Abstract:As the second part of a series of four, this paper reviews a number of case studies of natural uranium attenuation in peat, as well as underlying chemical mechanisms reported in literature. Based on this review, a generic, conceptual, model for peat to act as filter for dissolved uranium (U) is developed for guiding subsequent field investigations. The model consists of a chemical and an hydraulic component which is derived largely from data reported in literature as well as from limited field observations. For the chemical model component 10 different processes, each controlled by factors relating to water chemistry, have been identified to govern the attenuation of U in peat via a net balance of immobilization and remobilization. For the hydraulic aspect of the filter model, five different principal modes of U polluted water coming in contact with peat are discussed, focusing on the associated peat-water contact time as a crucial parameter controlling chemical U attenuation. Moreover, links between the two model components are discussed and, based on the integrated conceptual model, possible effects of natural and anthropogenic events on U attenuation in peatlands are outlined. Guided by the model, various site-specific field and laboratory investigations are finally designed to verify how far the identified generic factors and processes are indeed applicable to the Gerhard Minnebron Peatland.

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Using numerical modelling to evaluate the capillary fringe groundwater ridging hypothesis of streamflow generation

Cited by 67 publications

References 51 publications

Threshold behaviour in hydrological systems as (human) geo-ecosystems: manifestations, controls, implications

Threshold behaviour in hydrological systems as (human) geo-ecosystems: manifestations, controls, implications

Subsurface storm flow formation at different hillslopes and implications for the ‘old water paradox’

Peatlands as Filters for Polluted Mine Water?—A Case Study from an Uranium-Contaminated Karst System in South Africa—Part II: Examples from Literature and a Conceptual Filter Model

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