scholarly journals Transforming Hydrographs in the Hillslope Subsurface

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Šanda ◽  
Milena Císlerová
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Soil Horizons ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Subsurface Runoff ◽  
Set Up

Transforming Hydrographs in the Hillslope SubsurfaceTo reveal and evaluate the mechanism of transforming rainfall into runoff in the region, where the subsurface flow plays a dominant role in the runoff formation, a continuous hydrological and climatic data monitoring has been set-up in the experimental catchment Uhlířská (the Jizera Mountains, CR). The soil profile (Dystric Cambisol), formed on the weathered granite bedrock, is shallow and highly heterogeneous. Beside a standard catchment data observation a hillslope transect was instrumented to control the flow dynamics in the soil profile. From three soil horizons, the subsurface outflow is recorded in the subsurface trench. Adjacent to the trench the soil water suction is scanned by triplets of automatic tensiometers. Within the soil profile the unsaturated regime prevails, nevertheless the soil keeps almost saturated. Nearly simultaneous reaction of suction on a rainfall in all soil horizons implies a rapid vertical flow. Local preferential flow paths are conducting infiltrating water at significantly variable rates when saturation is reached. Groundwater table, soil moisture and subsurface runoff measured at the hillslope transect and the total outflow from the catchment, are correlated. The outflow from the catchment is dominantly controlled by soil moisture however the mechanism of its generation is not yet fully understood.

scholarly journals Geostatistic Interpolation of Soil Moisture

1997 ◽  
Vol 28 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 307-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils-Otto Kitterød ◽  
E. Langsholt ◽  
W. K. Wong ◽  
L. Gottschalk
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Unsaturated Zone ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Unsaturated Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Indicator Kriging ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Flow Models ◽  
Semivariogram Analysis ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths

The spatial distribution of soil moisture defines preferential flow paths in the unsaturated zone. Hence, three dimensional (3D) estimates of soil moisture are of great importance to understand transport of contaminants as well as remediation processes in the unsaturated zone. In this study 3D estimates conditioned on spatially frequent observations of soil moisture, have been obtained by kriging. The observations were divided into subdomains consistent with the local stratigraphy and directional semivariogram analysis was applied. It was found difficult to clearly identify a 3D semivariogram function in this case, but from a georadar survey two semivariogram functions were derived, describing two different sedimentological units. By conditioning the estimates of soil moisture on the sedimentological architecture computed by indicator kriging, more accurate estimates were achieved. These improvements were quantified by a ‘jackknife’ cross validation procedure. Besides the practical aspects of finding the most important flow paths estimates of soil moisture are valuable when validating unsaturated flow models.

scholarly journals Hydrologic flow path development varies by aspect during spring snowmelt in complex subalpine terrain

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 287-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan W. Webb ◽  
Steven R. Fassnacht ◽  
Michael N. Gooseff
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Snow Water Equivalent ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Surface Soil Moisture ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Snow Water ◽  
Spring Snowmelt

Abstract. In many mountainous regions around the world, snow and soil moisture are key components of the hydrologic cycle. Preferential flow paths of snowmelt water through snow have been known to occur for years with few studies observing the effect on soil moisture. In this study, statistical analysis of the topographical and hydrological controls on the spatiotemporal variability of snow water equivalent (SWE) and soil moisture during snowmelt was undertaken at a subalpine forested setting with north, south, and flat aspects as a seasonally persistent snowpack melts. We investigated if evidence of preferential flow paths in snow can be observed and the effect on soil moisture through measurements of snow water equivalent and near-surface soil moisture, observing how SWE and near-surface soil moisture vary on hillslopes relative to the toes of hillslopes and flat areas. We then compared snowmelt infiltration beyond the near-surface soil between flat and sloping terrain during the entire snowmelt season using soil moisture sensor profiles. This study was conducted during varying snowmelt seasons representing above-normal, relatively normal, and below-normal snow seasons in northern Colorado. Evidence is presented of preferential meltwater flow paths at the snow–soil interface on the north-facing slope causing increases in SWE downslope and less infiltration into the soil at 20 cm depth; less association is observed in the near-surface soil moisture (top 7 cm). We present a conceptualization of the meltwater flow paths that develop based on slope aspect and soil properties. The resulting flow paths are shown to divert at least 4 % of snowmelt laterally, accumulating along the length of the slope, to increase the snow water equivalent by as much as 170 % at the base of a north-facing hillslope. Results from this study show that snow acts as an extension of the vadose zone during spring snowmelt and future hydrologic investigations will benefit from studying the snow and soil together.

Visualizing Preferential Flow Paths using Ammonium Carbonate and a pH Indicator

2002 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Wang ◽  
Jianhang Lu ◽  
Laosheng Wu ◽  
Thomas Harter ◽  
William A. Jury
Keyword(s):  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Ammonium Carbonate ◽  
Ph Indicator ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths

Equation for Describing Solute Transport in Field Soils with Preferential Flow Paths

2005 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Jin Kim ◽  
Christophe J. G. Darnault ◽  
Nathan O. Bailey ◽  
J.-Yves Parlange ◽  
Tammo S. Steenhuis
Keyword(s):  
Solute Transport ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Field Soils

Dynamic Modeling of Channel Formation During Fluid Injection Into Unconsolidated Formations

SPE Journal ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (04) ◽  
pp. 689-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.. Ameen ◽  
A. Dahi Taleghani
Keyword(s):  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Injection Pressure ◽  
Internal Erosion ◽  
Fluid Injection ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Stress Changes

Summary Injectivity loss is a common problem in unconsolidated-sand formations. Injection of water into a poorly cemented granular medium may lead to internal erosion, and consequently formation of preferential flow paths within the medium because of channelization. Channelization in the porous medium might occur when fluid-induced stresses become locally larger than a critical threshold and small grains are dislodged and carried away; hence, porosity and permeability of the medium will evolve along the induced flow paths. Vice versa, flowback during shut-in might carry particles back to the well and cause sand accumulation inside the well, and subsequently loss of injectivity. In most cases, to maintain the injection rate, operators will increase injection pressure and pumping power. The increased injection pressure results in stress changes and possibly further changes in channel patterns around the wellbore. Experimental laboratory studies have confirmed the presence of the transition from uniform Darcy flow to a fingered-pattern flow. To predict these phenomena, a model is needed to fill this gap by predicting the formation of preferential flow paths and their evolution. A model based on the multiphase-volume-fraction concept is used to decompose porosity into mobile and immobile porosities where phases may change spatially, evolve over time, and lead to development of erosional channels depending on injection rates, viscosity, and rock properties. This model will account for both particle release and suspension deposition. By use of this model, a methodology is proposed to derive model parameters from routine injection tests by inverse analysis. The proposed model presents the characteristic behavior of unconsolidated formation during fluid injection and the possible effect of injection parameters on downhole-permeability evolution.

Biofilm development and the dynamics of preferential flow paths in porous media

Biofouling ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1069-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Bottero ◽  
Tomas Storck ◽  
Timo J. Heimovaara ◽  
Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht ◽  
Michael V. Enzien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Biofilm Development

scholarly journals Liquid water infiltration into a layered snowpack: evaluation of a 3-D water transport model with laboratory experiments

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 5503-5515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Hirashima ◽  
Francesco Avanzi ◽  
Satoru Yamaguchi
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Water ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Capillary Barriers ◽  
Wet Snow

Abstract. The heterogeneous movement of liquid water through the snowpack during precipitation and snowmelt leads to complex liquid water distributions that are important for avalanche and runoff forecasting. We reproduced the formation of capillary barriers and the development of preferential flow through snow using a three-dimensional water transport model, which was then validated using laboratory experiments of liquid water infiltration into layered, initially dry snow. Three-dimensional simulations assumed the same column shape and size, grain size, snow density, and water input rate as the laboratory experiments. Model evaluation focused on the timing of water movement, thickness of the upper layer affected by ponding, water content profiles and wet snow fraction. Simulation results showed that the model reconstructs relevant features of capillary barriers, including ponding in the upper layer, preferential infiltration far from the interface, and the timing of liquid water arrival at the snow base. In contrast, the area of preferential flow paths was usually underestimated and consequently the averaged water content in areas characterized by preferential flow paths was also underestimated. Improving the representation of preferential infiltration into initially dry snow is necessary to reproduce the transition from a dry-snow-dominant condition to a wet-snow-dominant one, especially in long-period simulations.

scholarly journals A model of hydrological and mechanical feedbacks of preferential fissure flow in a slow-moving landslide

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 947-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Krzeminska ◽  
T. A. Bogaard ◽  
J.-P. Malet ◽  
L. P. H. van Beek
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Landslide Activity ◽  
Hydrological Responses ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Slow Moving ◽  
Groundwater Drainage ◽  
Opening And Closing

Abstract. The importance of hydrological processes for landslide activity is generally accepted. However, the relationship between precipitation, hydrological responses and movement is not straightforward. Groundwater recharge is mostly controlled by the hydrological material properties and the structure (e.g., layering, preferential flow paths such as fissures) of the unsaturated zone. In slow-moving landslides, differential displacements caused by the bedrock structure complicate the hydrological regime due to continuous opening and closing of the fissures, creating temporary preferential flow paths systems for infiltration and groundwater drainage. The consecutive opening and closing of fissure aperture control the formation of a critical pore water pressure by creating dynamic preferential flow paths for infiltration and groundwater drainage. This interaction may explain the seasonal nature of the slow-moving landslide activity, including the often observed shifts and delays in hydrological responses when compared to timing, intensity and duration of precipitation. The main objective of this study is to model the influence of fissures on the hydrological dynamics of slow-moving landslide and the dynamic feedbacks between fissures, hydrology and slope stability. For this we adapt the spatially distributed hydrological and slope stability model (STARWARS) to account for geotechnical and hydrological feedbacks, linking between hydrological response of the landside and the dynamics of the fissure network and applied the model to the hydrologically controlled Super-Sauze landslide (South French Alps).

scholarly journals Dye staining and excavation of a lateral preferential flow network

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 935-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Anderson ◽  
M. Weiler ◽  
Y. Alila ◽  
R. O. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Solute Transport ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Dye Staining ◽  
Hillslope Scale ◽  
Surrounding Soil

Abstract. Preferential flow paths have been found to be important for runoff generation, solute transport, and slope stability in many areas around the world. Although many studies have identified the particular characteristics of individual features and measured the runoff generation and solute transport within hillslopes, very few studies have determined how individual features are hydraulically connected at a hillslope scale. In this study, we used dye staining and excavation to determine the morphology and spatial pattern of a preferential flow network over a large scale (30 m). We explore the feasibility of extending small-scale dye staining techniques to the hillslope scale. We determine the lateral preferential flow paths that are active during the steady-state flow conditions and their interaction with the surrounding soil matrix. We also calculate the velocities of the flow through each cross-section of the hillslope and compare them to hillslope scale applied tracer measurements. Finally, we investigate the relationship between the contributing area and the characteristics of the preferential flow paths. The experiment revealed that larger contributing areas coincided with highly developed and hydraulically connected preferential flow paths that had flow with little interaction with the surrounding soil matrix. We found evidence of subsurface erosion and deposition of soil and organic material laterally and vertically within the soil. These results are important because they add to the understanding of the runoff generation, solute transport, and slope stability of preferential flow-dominated hillslopes.

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