Articles | Volume 21, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-5243-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-5243-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Pesticide fate on catchment scale: conceptual modelling of stream CSIA data
UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department Catchment Hydrology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
Ype van der Velde
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Omniea F. Elsayed
Laboratoire d'hydrologie et de Géochimie de Strasbourg (LHyGeS), Université de Strasbourg/ENGEES, 1 rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France
Gwenaël Imfeld
Laboratoire d'hydrologie et de Géochimie de Strasbourg (LHyGeS), Université de Strasbourg/ENGEES, 1 rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France
Marie Lefrancq
Laboratoire d'hydrologie et de Géochimie de Strasbourg (LHyGeS), Université de Strasbourg/ENGEES, 1 rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France
Sylvain Payraudeau
Laboratoire d'hydrologie et de Géochimie de Strasbourg (LHyGeS), Université de Strasbourg/ENGEES, 1 rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France
Boris M. van Breukelen
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Stevinweg 1, Delft, the Netherlands
Related authors
Arianna Borriero, Rohini Kumar, Tam V. Nguyen, Jan H. Fleckenstein, and Stefanie R. Lutz
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2989–3004, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2989-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2989-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed the uncertainty of the water transit time distribution (TTD) arising from model input (interpolated tracer data) and structure (StorAge Selection, SAS, functions). We found that uncertainty was mainly associated with temporal interpolation, choice of SAS function, nonspatial interpolation, and low-flow conditions. It is important to characterize the specific uncertainty sources and their combined effects on TTD, as this has relevant implications for both water quantity and quality.
Carolin Winter, Tam V. Nguyen, Andreas Musolff, Stefanie R. Lutz, Michael Rode, Rohini Kumar, and Jan H. Fleckenstein
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 303–318, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-303-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-303-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The increasing frequency of severe and prolonged droughts threatens our freshwater resources. While we understand drought impacts on water quantity, its effects on water quality remain largely unknown. Here, we studied the impact of the unprecedented 2018–2019 drought in Central Europe on nitrate export in a heterogeneous mesoscale catchment in Germany. We show that severe drought can reduce a catchment's capacity to retain nitrogen, intensifying the internal pollution and export of nitrate.
Pia Ebeling, Rohini Kumar, Stefanie R. Lutz, Tam Nguyen, Fanny Sarrazin, Michael Weber, Olaf Büttner, Sabine Attinger, and Andreas Musolff
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3715–3741, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3715-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3715-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Environmental data are critical for understanding and managing ecosystems, including the mitigation of water quality degradation. To increase data availability, we present the first large-sample water quality data set (QUADICA) of riverine macronutrient concentrations combined with water quantity, meteorological, and nutrient forcing data as well as catchment attributes. QUADICA covers 1386 German catchments to facilitate large-sample data-driven and modeling water quality assessments.
Stefanie R. Lutz, Andrea Popp, Tim van Emmerik, Tom Gleeson, Liz Kalaugher, Karsten Möbius, Tonie Mudde, Brett Walton, Rolf Hut, Hubert Savenije, Louise J. Slater, Anna Solcerova, Cathelijne R. Stoof, and Matthias Zink
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 3589–3599, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-3589-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-3589-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Media play a key role in the communication between scientists and the general public. However, the interaction between scientists and journalists is not always straightforward. In this opinion paper, we present insights from hydrologists and journalists into the benefits, aftermath and potential pitfalls of science–media interaction. We aim to encourage scientists to participate in the diverse and evolving media landscape, and we call on the scientific community to support scientists who do so.
Ralf C. H. Aben, Daniel van de Craats, Jim Boonman, Stijn H. Peeters, Bart Vriend, Coline C. F. Boonman, Ype van der Velde, Gilles Erkens, and Merit van den Berg
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-403, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-403, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Drained peatlands cause high CO2 emissions. Raising the groundwater table can lower emissions. We used automated flux chamber measurements on 12 sites for up to 4 years and found a linear association between annual water table depth and CO2 emission. We also found that the average amount of carbon above the water table better predicted annual CO2 emission than water table depth and that water infiltration systems—used to effectively raise the water table—can be used to mitigate CO2 emissions.
Merit van den Berg, Thomas Gremmen, Renske J. E. Vroom, Jacobus van Huissteden, Jim Boonman, Corine J. A. van Huissteden, Ype van der Velde, Alfons J. P. Smolders, and Bas P. van de Riet
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2826, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2826, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Drained peatlands emit 3 % of the global greenhouse gas emission. Paludiculture is a way to reduce CO2 emissions while at the same time generating an income for landowners. The side effect is the potentially high methane emission. We found very high methane emission for broadleaf cattail, compared to narrowleaf cattail and water fern. The rewetting was, however, effective to stop CO2 emission for all species. The highest potential to reduce greenhouse gas emission had narrowleaf cattail.
Tanya J. R. Lippmann, Ype van der Velde, Monique M. P. D. Heijmans, Han Dolman, Dimmie M. D. Hendriks, and Ko van Huissteden
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 6773–6804, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-6773-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-6773-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Vegetation is a critical component of carbon storage in peatlands but an often-overlooked concept in many peatland models. We developed a new model capable of simulating the response of vegetation to changing environments and management regimes. We evaluated the model against observed chamber data collected at two peatland sites. We found that daily air temperature, water level, harvest frequency and height, and vegetation composition drive methane and carbon dioxide emissions.
Alexa Marion Hinzman, Ylva Sjöberg, Steve W. Lyon, Wouter R. Berghuijs, and Ype van der Velde
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2391, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2391, 2023
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
An Arctic catchment with permafrost responds in a linear fashion: water in=water out. As permafrost thaws, 9 of 10 nested catchments become more non-linear over time. We find upstream catchments have stronger streamflow seasonality and exhibit the most nonlinear storage-discharge relationships. Downstream catchments have the greatest increases in non-linearity over time. These long-term shifts in the storage-discharge relationship are not typically seen in current hydrological models.
Arianna Borriero, Rohini Kumar, Tam V. Nguyen, Jan H. Fleckenstein, and Stefanie R. Lutz
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2989–3004, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2989-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2989-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed the uncertainty of the water transit time distribution (TTD) arising from model input (interpolated tracer data) and structure (StorAge Selection, SAS, functions). We found that uncertainty was mainly associated with temporal interpolation, choice of SAS function, nonspatial interpolation, and low-flow conditions. It is important to characterize the specific uncertainty sources and their combined effects on TTD, as this has relevant implications for both water quantity and quality.
Cindy Quik, Ype van der Velde, Jasper H. J. Candel, Luc Steinbuch, Roy van Beek, and Jakob Wallinga
Biogeosciences, 20, 695–718, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-695-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-695-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In NW Europe only parts of former peatlands remain. When these peatlands formed is not well known but relevant for questions on landscape, climate and archaeology. We investigated the age of Fochteloërveen, using radiocarbon dating and modelling. Results show that peat initiated at several sites 11 000–7000 years ago and expanded rapidly 5000 years ago. Our approach may ultimately be applied to model peat ages outside current remnants and provide a view of these lost landscapes.
Carolin Winter, Tam V. Nguyen, Andreas Musolff, Stefanie R. Lutz, Michael Rode, Rohini Kumar, and Jan H. Fleckenstein
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 303–318, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-303-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-303-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The increasing frequency of severe and prolonged droughts threatens our freshwater resources. While we understand drought impacts on water quantity, its effects on water quality remain largely unknown. Here, we studied the impact of the unprecedented 2018–2019 drought in Central Europe on nitrate export in a heterogeneous mesoscale catchment in Germany. We show that severe drought can reduce a catchment's capacity to retain nitrogen, intensifying the internal pollution and export of nitrate.
Jim Boonman, Mariet M. Hefting, Corine J. A. van Huissteden, Merit van den Berg, Jacobus (Ko) van Huissteden, Gilles Erkens, Roel Melman, and Ype van der Velde
Biogeosciences, 19, 5707–5727, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5707-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5707-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Draining peat causes high CO2 emissions, and rewetting could potentially help solve this problem. In the dry year 2020 we measured that subsurface irrigation reduced CO2 emissions by 28 % and 83 % on two research sites. We modelled a peat parcel and found that the reduction depends on seepage and weather conditions and increases when using pressurized irrigation or maintaining high ditchwater levels. We found that soil temperature and moisture are suitable as indicators of peat CO2 emissions.
Pia Ebeling, Rohini Kumar, Stefanie R. Lutz, Tam Nguyen, Fanny Sarrazin, Michael Weber, Olaf Büttner, Sabine Attinger, and Andreas Musolff
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3715–3741, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3715-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3715-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Environmental data are critical for understanding and managing ecosystems, including the mitigation of water quality degradation. To increase data availability, we present the first large-sample water quality data set (QUADICA) of riverine macronutrient concentrations combined with water quantity, meteorological, and nutrient forcing data as well as catchment attributes. QUADICA covers 1386 German catchments to facilitate large-sample data-driven and modeling water quality assessments.
Tanya Juliette Rebecca Lippmann, Monique Heijmans, Han Dolman, Ype van der Velde, Dimmie Hendriks, and Ko van Huissteden
Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2022-143, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2022-143, 2022
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
To assess the impact of vegetation on GHG fluxes in peatlands, we developed a new model, Peatland-VU-NUCOM (PVN). These results showed that plant communities impact GHG emissions, indicating that plant community re-establishment is a critical component of peatland restoration. This is the first time that a peatland emissions model investigated the role of re-introducing peat forming vegetation on GHG emissions.
Yousef Albuhaisi, Ype van der Velde, and Sander Houweling
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2022-55, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2022-55, 2022
Manuscript not accepted for further review
Short summary
Short summary
An important uncertainty in the modelling of methane emissions from natural wetlands is the wetland area. It is important to get the spatiotemporal covariance between the variables that drive methane emissions right for accurate quantification. Using high-resolution wetland and soil carbon maps, in combination with a simplified methane emission model that is coarsened in six steps from 0.005° to 1°, we find a strong relation between wetland emissions and the model resolution.
Thomas Janssen, Ype van der Velde, Florian Hofhansl, Sebastiaan Luyssaert, Kim Naudts, Bart Driessen, Katrin Fleischer, and Han Dolman
Biogeosciences, 18, 4445–4472, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4445-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4445-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Satellite images show that the Amazon forest has greened up during past droughts. Measurements of tree stem growth and leaf litterfall upscaled using machine-learning algorithms show that leaf flushing at the onset of a drought results in canopy rejuvenation and green-up during drought while simultaneously trees excessively shed older leaves and tree stem growth declines. Canopy green-up during drought therefore does not necessarily point to enhanced tree growth and improved forest health.
Vince P. Kaandorp, Hans Peter Broers, Ype van der Velde, Joachim Rozemeijer, and Perry G. B. de Louw
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 3691–3711, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-3691-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-3691-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We reconstructed historical and present-day tritium, chloride, and nitrate concentrations in stream water of a catchment using
land-use-based input curves and calculated travel times of groundwater. Parameters such as the unsaturated zone thickness, mean travel time, and input patterns determine time lags between inputs and in-stream concentrations. The timescale of the breakthrough of pollutants in streams is dependent on the location of pollution in a catchment.
Liang Yu, Joachim C. Rozemeijer, Hans Peter Broers, Boris M. van Breukelen, Jack J. Middelburg, Maarten Ouboter, and Ype van der Velde
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 69–87, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-69-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-69-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The assessment of the collected water quality information is for the managers to find a way to improve the water environment to satisfy human uses and environmental needs. We found groundwater containing high concentrations of nutrient mixes with rain water in the ditches. The stable solutes are diluted during rain. The change in nutrients over time is determined by and uptaken by organisms and chemical processes. The water is more enriched with nutrients and looked
dirtierduring winter.
Stefanie R. Lutz, Andrea Popp, Tim van Emmerik, Tom Gleeson, Liz Kalaugher, Karsten Möbius, Tonie Mudde, Brett Walton, Rolf Hut, Hubert Savenije, Louise J. Slater, Anna Solcerova, Cathelijne R. Stoof, and Matthias Zink
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 3589–3599, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-3589-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-3589-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Media play a key role in the communication between scientists and the general public. However, the interaction between scientists and journalists is not always straightforward. In this opinion paper, we present insights from hydrologists and journalists into the benefits, aftermath and potential pitfalls of science–media interaction. We aim to encourage scientists to participate in the diverse and evolving media landscape, and we call on the scientific community to support scientists who do so.
David Eschbach, Laurent Schmitt, Gwenaël Imfeld, Jan-Hendrik May, Sylvain Payraudeau, Frank Preusser, Mareike Trauerstein, and Grzegorz Skupinski
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 2717–2737, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-2717-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-2717-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we show the relevance of an interdisciplinary study for improving restoration within the framework of a European LIFE+ project on the French side of the Upper Rhine (Rohrschollen Island). Our results underscore the advantage of combining functional restoration with detailed knowledge of past trajectories in complex hydrosystems. We anticipate our approach will expand the toolbox of decision-makers and help orientate functional restoration actions in the future.
Fernando Jaramillo, Neil Cory, Berit Arheimer, Hjalmar Laudon, Ype van der Velde, Thomas B. Hasper, Claudia Teutschbein, and Johan Uddling
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 567–580, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-567-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-567-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Which is the dominant effect on evapotranspiration in northern forests, an increase by recent forests expansion or a decrease by the water use response due to increasing CO2 concentrations? We determined the dominant effect during the period 1961–2012 in 65 Swedish basins. We used the Budyko framework to study the hydroclimatic movements in Budyko space. Our findings suggest that forest expansion is the dominant driver of long-term and large-scale evapotranspiration changes.
Liang Yu, Joachim Rozemeijer, Boris M. van Breukelen, Maarten Ouboter, Corné van der Vlugt, and Hans Peter Broers
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 487–508, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-487-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-487-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The study shows the importance of the connection between groundwater and surface water nutrient chemistry in a lowland delta area – the greater Amsterdam area. We expect that taking account of groundwater–surface water interaction is also important in other subsiding and urbanising deltas around the world, where water is managed intensively in order to enable agricultural productivity and achieve water-sustainable cities.
Patrick W. Bogaart, Ype van der Velde, Steve W. Lyon, and Stefan C. Dekker
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 1413–1432, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-1413-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-1413-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
We analyse how stream discharge declines after rain storms. This "recession" behaviour contains information about the capacity of the catchment to hold or release water. Looking at many rivers in Sweden, we were able to link distinct recession regimes to land use and catchment characteristics. Trends in recession behaviour are found to correspond to intensifying agriculture and extensive reforestation. We conclude that both humans and nature reorganizes the soil in order to enhance efficiency.
J. C. Rozemeijer, A. Visser, W. Borren, M. Winegram, Y. van der Velde, J. Klein, and H. P. Broers
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 347–358, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-347-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-347-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Controlled drainage has been recognized as an effective option to optimize soil moisture conditions for agriculture and to reduce unnecessary losses of fresh water and nutrients. For a grassland field in the Netherlands, we measured the changes in the field water and solute balance after introducing controlled drainage. We concluded that controlled drainage reduced the drain discharge and increased the groundwater storage in the field, but did not have clear positive effects for water quality.
B. J. Dermody, R. P. H. van Beek, E. Meeks, K. Klein Goldewijk, W. Scheidel, Y. van der Velde, M. F. P. Bierkens, M. J. Wassen, and S. C. Dekker
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 5025–5040, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-5025-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-5025-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
Our virtual water network of the Roman World shows that virtual water trade and irrigation provided the Romans with resilience to interannual climate variability. Virtual water trade enabled the Romans to meet food demands from regions with a surplus. Irrigation provided stable water supplies for agriculture, particularly in large river catchments. However, virtual water trade also stimulated urbanization and population growth, which eroded Roman resilience to climate variability over time.
B. van der Grift, J. C. Rozemeijer, J. Griffioen, and Y. van der Velde
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 4687–4702, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4687-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4687-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
Exfiltration of anoxic groundwater containing Fe(II) to surface water is an important mechanism controlling P speciation in the lowland catchments. Due to changes in pH and temperature, the Fe(II) oxidation rates were much lower in winter than in summer. This study also shows a fast transformation of dissolved P to structural P during the initial stage of the Fe oxidation process resulting in low dissolved P concentrations in the surface water throughout the year.
Related subject area
Subject: Catchment hydrology | Techniques and Approaches: Modelling approaches
Impacts of spatiotemporal resolutions of precipitation on flood event simulation based on multimodel structures – a case study over the Xiang River basin in China
A network approach for multiscale catchment classification using traits
Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation
Advancing understanding of lake–watershed hydrology: a fully coupled numerical model illustrated by Qinghai Lake
Technical note: Testing the connection between hillslope-scale runoff fluctuations and streamflow hydrographs at the outlet of large river basins
Empirical stream thermal sensitivity cluster on the landscape according to geology and climate
Deep learning for monthly rainfall–runoff modelling: a large-sample comparison with conceptual models across Australia
On optimization of calibrations of a distributed hydrological model with spatially distributed information on snow
Toward interpretable LSTM-based modeling of hydrological systems
Flow intermittence prediction using a hybrid hydrological modelling approach: influence of observed intermittence data on the training of a random forest model
What controls the tail behaviour of flood series: rainfall or runoff generation?
Seasonal prediction of end-of-dry-season watershed behavior in a highly interconnected alluvial watershed in northern California
Glaciers determine the sensitivity of hydrological processes to perturbed climate in a large mountainous basin on the Tibetan Plateau
Leveraging gauge networks and strategic discharge measurements to aid the development of continuous streamflow records
On the need for physical constraints in deep learning rainfall–runoff projections under climate change: a sensitivity analysis to warming and shifts in potential evapotranspiration
Evaluation of hydrological models on small mountainous catchments: impact of the meteorological forcings
Impacts of climate and land-surface change on catchment evapotranspiration and runoff from 1951–2020 in Saxony, Germany
Projecting sediment export from two highly glacierized alpine catchments under climate change: exploring non-parametric regression as an analysis tool
A framework for parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty analysis for holistic hydrologic modeling using SWAT+
On understanding mountainous carbonate basins of the Mediterranean using parsimonious modeling solutions
Comparing quantile regression forest and mixture density long short-term memory models for probabilistic post-processing of satellite precipitation-driven streamflow simulations
Recent ground thermo-hydrological changes in a southern Tibetan endorheic catchment and implications for lake level changes
Towards robust seasonal streamflow forecasts in mountainous catchments: impact of calibration metric selection in hydrological modeling
Modelling flood frequency and magnitude in a glacially conditioned, heterogeneous landscape: testing the importance of land cover and land use
Enhancing LSTM-based streamflow prediction with a spatially distributed approach
Direct integration of reservoirs' operations in a hydrological model for streamflow estimation: coupling a CLSTM model with MOHID-Land
Altitudinal Control of Isotopic Composition and Application in Understanding Hydrologic Processes in the mid Merced River Catchment, Sierra Nevada, California, USA
Modelling the regional sensitivity of snowmelt, soil moisture, and streamflow generation to climate over the Canadian Prairies using a basin classification approach
To what extent does river routing matter in hydrological modeling?
Calibrating macroscale hydrological models in poorly gauged and heavily regulated basins
An advanced tool integrating failure and sensitivity analysis into novel modeling of the stormwater flood volume
airGRteaching: an open-source tool for teaching hydrological modeling with R
Assessing the impact of climate change on high return levels of peak flows in Bavaria applying the CRCM5 Large Ensemble
To What Extent Do Extreme Storm Events Change Future Flood Hazards?
Stable water isotopes and tritium tracers tell the same tale: no evidence for underestimation of catchment transit times inferred by stable isotopes in StorAge Selection (SAS)-function models
Uncertainty in water transit time estimation with StorAge Selection functions and tracer data interpolation
Changes in Mediterranean flood processes and seasonality
Can the combining of wetlands with reservoir operation reduce the risk of future floods and droughts?
Knowledge-informed deep learning for hydrological model calibration: an application to Coal Creek Watershed in Colorado
When best is the enemy of good – critical evaluation of performance criteria in hydrological models
The suitability of differentiable, physics-informed machine learning hydrologic models for ungauged regions and climate change impact assessment
Producing reliable hydrologic scenarios from raw climate model outputs without resorting to meteorological observations
Afforestation impacts on terrestrial hydrology insignificant compared to climate change in Great Britain
Using normalised difference infrared index patterns to constrain semi-distributed rainfall–runoff models in tropical nested catchments
Revisiting the hydrological basis of the Budyko framework with the principle of hydrologically similar groups
Reconstructing five decades of sediment export from two glacierized high-alpine catchments in Tyrol, Austria, using nonparametric regression
Water and energy budgets over hydrological basins on short and long timescales
Hydrological response to climate change and human activities in the Three-River Source Region
Incorporating experimentally derived streamflow contributions into model parameterization to improve discharge prediction
Machine-learning- and deep-learning-based streamflow prediction in a hilly catchment for future scenarios using CMIP6 GCM data
Qian Zhu, Xiaodong Qin, Dongyang Zhou, Tiantian Yang, and Xinyi Song
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1665–1686, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1665-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1665-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Input data, model and calibration strategy can affect the accuracy of flood event simulation and prediction. Satellite-based precipitation with different spatiotemporal resolutions is an important input source. Data-driven models are sometimes proven to be more accurate than hydrological models. Event-based calibration and conventional strategy are two options adopted for flood simulation. This study targets the three concerns for accurate flood event simulation and prediction.
Fabio Ciulla and Charuleka Varadharajan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1617–1651, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1617-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1617-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new method based on network science for unsupervised classification of large datasets and apply it to classify 9067 US catchments and 274 biophysical traits at multiple scales. We find that our trait-based approach produces catchment classes with distinct streamflow behavior and that spatial patterns emerge amongst pristine and human-impacted catchments. This method can be widely used beyond hydrology to identify patterns, reduce trait redundancy, and select representative sites.
Cyril Thébault, Charles Perrin, Vazken Andréassian, Guillaume Thirel, Sébastien Legrand, and Olivier Delaigue
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1539–1566, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1539-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1539-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Streamflow forecasting is useful for many applications, ranging from population safety (e.g. floods) to water resource management (e.g. agriculture or hydropower). To this end, hydrological models must be optimized. However, a model is inherently wrong. This study aims to analyse the contribution of a multi-model approach within a variable spatial framework to improve streamflow simulations. The underlying idea is to take advantage of the strength of each modelling framework tested.
Lele Shu, Xiaodong Li, Yan Chang, Xianhong Meng, Hao Chen, Yuan Qi, Hongwei Wang, Zhaoguo Li, and Shihua Lyu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1477–1491, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1477-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1477-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a new model to better understand how water moves in a lake basin. Our model improves upon previous methods by accurately capturing the complexity of water movement, both on the surface and subsurface. Our model, tested using data from China's Qinghai Lake, accurately replicates complex water movements and identifies contributing factors of the lake's water balance. The findings provide a robust tool for predicting hydrological processes, aiding water resource planning.
Ricardo Mantilla, Morgan Fonley, and Nicolás Velásquez
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1373–1382, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1373-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1373-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Hydrologists strive to “Be right for the right reasons” when modeling the hydrologic cycle; however, the datasets available to validate hydrological models are sparse, and in many cases, they comprise streamflow observations at the outlets of large catchments. In this work, we show that matching streamflow observations at the outlet of a large basin is not a reliable indicator of a correct description of the small-scale runoff processes.
Lillian M. McGill, E. Ashley Steel, and Aimee H. Fullerton
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1351–1371, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1351-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1351-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines the relationship between air and river temperatures in Washington's Snoqualmie and Wenatchee basins. We used classification and regression approaches to show that the sensitivity of river temperature to air temperature is variable across basins and controlled largely by geology and snowmelt. Findings can be used to inform strategies for river basin restoration and conservation, such as identifying climate-insensitive areas of the basin that should be preserved and protected.
Stephanie R. Clark, Julien Lerat, Jean-Michel Perraud, and Peter Fitch
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1191–1213, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1191-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1191-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
To determine if deep learning models are in general a viable alternative to traditional hydrologic modelling techniques in Australian catchments, a comparison of river–runoff predictions is made between traditional conceptual models and deep learning models in almost 500 catchments spread over the continent. It is found that the deep learning models match or outperform the traditional models in over two-thirds of the river catchments, indicating feasibility in a wide variety of conditions.
Dipti Tiwari, Mélanie Trudel, and Robert Leconte
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1127–1146, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1127-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1127-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Calibrating hydrological models with multi-objective functions enhances model robustness. By using spatially distributed snow information in the calibration, the model performance can be enhanced without compromising the outputs. In this study the HYDROTEL model was calibrated in seven different experiments, incorporating the SPAEF (spatial efficiency) metric alongside Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and root-mean-square error (RMSE), with the aim of identifying the optimal calibration strategy.
Luis Andres De la Fuente, Mohammad Reza Ehsani, Hoshin Vijai Gupta, and Laura Elizabeth Condon
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 945–971, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-945-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-945-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Long short-term memory (LSTM) is a widely used machine-learning model in hydrology, but it is difficult to extract knowledge from it. We propose HydroLSTM, which represents processes like a hydrological reservoir. Models based on HydroLSTM perform similarly to LSTM while requiring fewer cell states. The learned parameters are informative about the dominant hydrology of a catchment. Our results show how parsimony and hydrological knowledge extraction can be achieved by using the new structure.
Louise Mimeau, Annika Künne, Flora Branger, Sven Kralisch, Alexandre Devers, and Jean-Philippe Vidal
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 851–871, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-851-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-851-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Modelling flow intermittence is essential for predicting the future evolution of drying in river networks and better understanding the ecological and socio-economic impacts. However, modelling flow intermittence is challenging, and observed data on temporary rivers are scarce. This study presents a new modelling approach for predicting flow intermittence in river networks and shows that combining different sources of observed data reduces the model uncertainty.
Elena Macdonald, Bruno Merz, Björn Guse, Viet Dung Nguyen, Xiaoxiang Guan, and Sergiy Vorogushyn
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 833–850, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-833-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-833-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In some rivers, the occurrence of extreme flood events is more likely than in other rivers – they have heavy-tailed distributions. We find that threshold processes in the runoff generation lead to such a relatively high occurrence probability of extremes. Further, we find that beyond a certain return period, i.e. for rare events, rainfall is often the dominant control compared to runoff generation. Our results can help to improve the estimation of the occurrence probability of extreme floods.
Claire Kouba and Thomas Harter
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 691–718, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-691-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-691-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In some watersheds, the severity of the dry season has a large impact on aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we design a way to predict, 5–6 months in advance, how severe the dry season will be in a rural watershed in northern California. This early warning can support seasonal adaptive management. To predict these two values, we assess data about snow, rain, groundwater, and river flows. We find that maximum snowpack and total wet season rainfall best predict dry season severity.
Yi Nan and Fuqiang Tian
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 669–689, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-669-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-669-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This paper utilized a tracer-aided model validated by multiple datasets in a large mountainous basin on the Tibetan Plateau to analyze hydrological sensitivity to climate change. The spatial pattern of the local hydrological sensitivities and the influence factors were analyzed in particular. The main finding of this paper is that the local hydrological sensitivity in mountainous basins is determined by the relationship between the glacier area ratio and the mean annual precipitation.
Michael J. Vlah, Matthew R. V. Ross, Spencer Rhea, and Emily S. Bernhardt
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 545–573, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-545-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-545-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Virtual stream gauging enables continuous streamflow estimation where a gauge might be difficult or impractical to install. We reconstructed flow at 27 gauges of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), informing ~199 site-months of missing data in the official record and improving that accuracy of official estimates at 11 sites. This study shows that machine learning, but also routine regression methods, can be used to supplement existing gauge networks and reduce monitoring costs.
Sungwook Wi and Scott Steinschneider
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 479–503, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-479-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-479-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate whether deep learning (DL) models can produce physically plausible streamflow projections under climate change. We address this question by focusing on modeled responses to increases in temperature and potential evapotranspiration and by employing three DL and three process-based hydrological models. The results suggest that physical constraints regarding model architecture and input are necessary to promote the physical realism of DL hydrological projections under climate change.
Guillaume Evin, Matthieu Le Lay, Catherine Fouchier, David Penot, Francois Colleoni, Alexandre Mas, Pierre-André Garambois, and Olivier Laurantin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 261–281, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-261-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-261-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Hydrological modelling of mountainous catchments is challenging for many reasons, the main one being the temporal and spatial representation of precipitation forcings. This study presents an evaluation of the hydrological modelling of 55 small mountainous catchments of the northern French Alps, focusing on the influence of the type of precipitation reanalyses used as inputs. These evaluations emphasize the added value of radar measurements, in particular for the reproduction of flood events.
Maik Renner and Corina Hauffe
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2024-6, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2024-6, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for HESS
Short summary
Short summary
Climate and land-surface conditions influence the availability of fresh water resources. Their impact is quantified with data of 71 catchments in Saxony/Germany, for which distinct signatures in the joint water and energy budgets are found: (i) past forest dieback caused a decrease and subsequent recovery of evapotranspiration in the affected regions, and (ii) the recent shift towards higher aridity imposed a large decline in runoff, that has not been seen in the observation records before.
Lena Katharina Schmidt, Till Francke, Peter Martin Grosse, and Axel Bronstert
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 139–161, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-139-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-139-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
How suspended sediment export from glacierized high-alpine areas responds to future climate change is hardly assessable as many interacting processes are involved, and appropriate physical models are lacking. We present the first study, to our knowledge, exploring machine learning to project sediment export until 2100 in two high-alpine catchments. We find that uncertainties due to methodological limitations are small until 2070. Negative trends imply that peak sediment may have already passed.
Salam A. Abbas, Ryan T. Bailey, Jeremy T. White, Jeffrey G. Arnold, Michael J. White, Natalja Čerkasova, and Jungang Gao
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 21–48, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-21-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-21-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Research highlights.
1. Implemented groundwater module (gwflow) into SWAT+ for four watersheds with different unique hydrologic features across the United States.
2. Presented methods for sensitivity analysis, uncertainty analysis and parameter estimation for coupled models.
3. Sensitivity analysis for streamflow and groundwater head conducted using Morris method.
4. Uncertainty analysis and parameter estimation performed using an iterative ensemble smoother within the PEST framework.
Shima Azimi, Christian Massari, Giuseppe Formetta, Silvia Barbetta, Alberto Tazioli, Davide Fronzi, Sara Modanesi, Angelica Tarpanelli, and Riccardo Rigon
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 4485–4503, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4485-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4485-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed the water budget of nested karst catchments using simple methods and modeling. By utilizing the available data on precipitation and discharge, we were able to determine the response lag-time by adopting new techniques. Additionally, we modeled snow cover dynamics and evapotranspiration with the use of Earth observations, providing a concise overview of the water budget for the basin and its subbasins. We have made the data, models, and workflows accessible for further study.
Yuhang Zhang, Aizhong Ye, Bita Analui, Phu Nguyen, Soroosh Sorooshian, Kuolin Hsu, and Yuxuan Wang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 4529–4550, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4529-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4529-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Our study shows that while the quantile regression forest (QRF) and countable mixtures of asymmetric Laplacians long short-term memory (CMAL-LSTM) models demonstrate similar proficiency in multipoint probabilistic predictions, QRF excels in smaller watersheds and CMAL-LSTM in larger ones. CMAL-LSTM performs better in single-point deterministic predictions, whereas QRF model is more efficient overall.
Léo C. P. Martin, Sebastian Westermann, Michele Magni, Fanny Brun, Joel Fiddes, Yanbin Lei, Philip Kraaijenbrink, Tamara Mathys, Moritz Langer, Simon Allen, and Walter W. Immerzeel
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 4409–4436, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4409-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4409-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Across the Tibetan Plateau, many large lakes have been changing level during the last decades as a response to climate change. In high-mountain environments, water fluxes from the land to the lakes are linked to the ground temperature of the land and to the energy fluxes between the ground and the atmosphere, which are modified by climate change. With a numerical model, we test how these water and energy fluxes have changed over the last decades and how they influence the lake level variations.
Diego Araya, Pablo A. Mendoza, Eduardo Muñoz-Castro, and James McPhee
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 4385–4408, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4385-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4385-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Dynamical systems are used by many agencies worldwide to produce seasonal streamflow forecasts, which are critical for decision-making. Such systems rely on hydrology models, which contain parameters that are typically estimated using a target performance metric (i.e., objective function). This study explores the effects of this decision across mountainous basins in Chile, illustrating tradeoffs between seasonal forecast quality and the models' capability to simulate streamflow characteristics.
Pamela E. Tetford and Joseph R. Desloges
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3977–3998, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3977-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3977-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
An efficient regional flood frequency model relates drainage area to discharge, with a major assumption of similar basin conditions. In a landscape with variable glacial deposits and land use, we characterize varying hydrological function using 28 explanatory variables. We demonstrate that (1) a heterogeneous landscape requires objective model selection criteria to optimize the fit of flow data, and (2) incorporating land use as a predictor variable improves the drainage area to discharge model.
Qiutong Yu, Bryan A. Tolson, Hongren Shen, Ming Han, Juliane Mai, and Jimmy Lin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2023-237, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2023-237, 2023
Revised manuscript accepted for HESS
Short summary
Short summary
It is challenging to incorporate the spatial distribution information of input variables when implementing LSTM models for streamflow prediction. This paper presents a novel hybrid modeling approach to predict streamflow while accounting for spatial variability. We evaluated the performance against lumped LSTM predictions in 224 basins across the Great Lakes region in North America. This approach shows promise in predicting streamflow at large ungauged basin.
Ana Ramos Oliveira, Tiago Brito Ramos, Lígia Pinto, and Ramiro Neves
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3875–3893, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3875-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3875-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper intends to demonstrate the adequacy of a hybrid solution to overcome the difficulties related to the incorporation of human behavior when modeling hydrological processes. Two models were implemented, one to estimate the outflow of a reservoir and the other to simulate the hydrological processes of the watershed. With both models feeding each other, results show that the proposed approach significantly improved the streamflow estimation downstream of the reservoir.
Fengjing Liu, Martha H. Conklin, and Glenn D. Shaw
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2023-230, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2023-230, 2023
Revised manuscript accepted for HESS
Short summary
Short summary
Mountain snowpack has been declining and more precipitation falls as rain than snow. Using stable isotopes, we found flows and flow duration in Yosemite Creek are most sensitive to climate warming due to strong evaporation of waterfalls, potentially lengthening the dry-up period of water falls in summer and negatively affecting tourism. Groundwater recharge in Yosemite Valley is primarily from the upper snow-rain transition (2,000–2,500m) and very vulnerable to shift in the snow-rain ratio.
Zhihua He, Kevin Shook, Christopher Spence, John W. Pomeroy, and Colin Whitfield
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3525–3546, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3525-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3525-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study evaluated the impacts of climate change on snowmelt, soil moisture, and streamflow over the Canadian Prairies. The entire prairie region was divided into seven basin types. We found strong variations of hydrological sensitivity to precipitation and temperature changes in different land covers and basins, which suggests that different water management and adaptation methods are needed to address enhanced water stress due to expected climate change in different regions of the prairies.
Nicolás Cortés-Salazar, Nicolás Vásquez, Naoki Mizukami, Pablo A. Mendoza, and Ximena Vargas
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3505–3524, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3505-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3505-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper shows how important river models can be for water resource applications that involve hydrological models and, in particular, parameter calibration. To this end, we conduct numerical experiments in a pilot basin using a combination of hydrologic model simulations obtained from a large sample of parameter sets and different routing methods. We find that routing can affect streamflow simulations, even at monthly time steps; the choice of parameters; and relevant streamflow metrics.
Dung Trung Vu, Thanh Duc Dang, Francesca Pianosi, and Stefano Galelli
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3485–3504, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3485-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3485-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The calibration of hydrological models over extensive spatial domains is often challenged by the lack of data on river discharge and the operations of hydraulic infrastructures. Here, we use satellite data to address the lack of data that could unintentionally bias the calibration process. Our study is underpinned by a computational framework that quantifies this bias and provides a safe approach to the calibration of models in poorly gauged and heavily regulated basins.
Francesco Fatone, Bartosz Szeląg, Przemysław Kowal, Arthur McGarity, Adam Kiczko, Grzegorz Wałek, Ewa Wojciechowska, Michał Stachura, and Nicolas Caradot
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3329–3349, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3329-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3329-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A novel methodology for the development of a stormwater network performance simulator including advanced risk assessment was proposed. The applied tool enables the analysis of the influence of spatial variability in catchment and stormwater network characteristics on the relation between (SWMM) model parameters and specific flood volume, as an alternative approach to mechanistic models. The proposed method can be used at the stage of catchment model development and spatial planning management.
Olivier Delaigue, Pierre Brigode, Guillaume Thirel, and Laurent Coron
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3293–3327, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3293-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3293-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Teaching hydrological modeling is an important, but difficult, matter. It requires appropriate tools and teaching material. In this article, we present the airGRteaching package, which is an open-source software tool relying on widely used hydrological models. This tool proposes an interface and numerous hydrological modeling exercises representing a wide range of hydrological applications. We show how this tool can be applied to simple but real-life cases.
Florian Willkofer, Raul Roger Wood, and Ralf Ludwig
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2019, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Severe flood events pose threat to riverine areas, yet robust estimates about the dynamics of these events in the future due to climate change are rarely available. Hence, this study uses and benefits from data from a RCM SMILE to drive a high-resolution hydrological model for 98 catchments of the Hydrological Bavaria to exploit the large database to derive robust values for the 100-year flood events. Results indicate an increase in frequency and intensity for most catchments in the future.
Mariam Khanam, Giulia Sofia, and Emmanouil N. Anagnostou
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1969, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1969, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Due to climate change, flooding is expected to become more frequent globally in the coming decades. Locally, storm-induced channel geometry changes can drastically affect flood hazards, yet rivers are mostly treated as static elements in flood studies. This study tried to gain an understanding of the effects of major storm events on future flood hazards, promoting a framework for incorporating channel conveyance adjustments into flood hazard assessment.
Siyuan Wang, Markus Hrachowitz, Gerrit Schoups, and Christine Stumpp
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3083–3114, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3083-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3083-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study shows that previously reported underestimations of water ages are most likely not due to the use of seasonally variable tracers. Rather, these underestimations can be largely attributed to the choices of model approaches which rely on assumptions not frequently met in catchment hydrology. We therefore strongly advocate avoiding the use of this model type in combination with seasonally variable tracers and instead adopting StorAge Selection (SAS)-based or comparable model formulations.
Arianna Borriero, Rohini Kumar, Tam V. Nguyen, Jan H. Fleckenstein, and Stefanie R. Lutz
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2989–3004, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2989-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2989-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed the uncertainty of the water transit time distribution (TTD) arising from model input (interpolated tracer data) and structure (StorAge Selection, SAS, functions). We found that uncertainty was mainly associated with temporal interpolation, choice of SAS function, nonspatial interpolation, and low-flow conditions. It is important to characterize the specific uncertainty sources and their combined effects on TTD, as this has relevant implications for both water quantity and quality.
Yves Tramblay, Patrick Arnaud, Guillaume Artigue, Michel Lang, Emmanuel Paquet, Luc Neppel, and Eric Sauquet
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2973–2987, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2973-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2973-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Mediterranean floods are causing major damage, and recent studies have shown that, despite the increase in intense rainfall, there has been no increase in river floods. This study reveals that the seasonality of floods changed in the Mediterranean Basin during 1959–2021. There was also an increased frequency of floods linked to short episodes of intense rain, associated with a decrease in soil moisture. These changes need to be taken into consideration to adapt flood warning systems.
Yanfeng Wu, Jingxuan Sun, Boting Hu, Y. Jun Xu, Alain N. Rousseau, and Guangxin Zhang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2725–2745, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2725-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2725-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Reservoirs and wetlands are important regulators of watershed hydrology, which should be considered when projecting floods and droughts. We first coupled wetlands and reservoir operations into a semi-spatially-explicit hydrological model and then applied it in a case study involving a large river basin in northeast China. We found that, overall, the risk of future floods and droughts will increase further even under the combined influence of reservoirs and wetlands.
Peishi Jiang, Pin Shuai, Alexander Sun, Maruti K. Mudunuru, and Xingyuan Chen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2621–2644, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2621-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2621-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a novel deep learning approach to estimate the parameters of a computationally expensive hydrological model on only a few hundred realizations. Our approach leverages the knowledge obtained by data-driven analysis to guide the design of the deep learning model used for parameter estimation. We demonstrate this approach by calibrating a state-of-the-art hydrological model against streamflow and evapotranspiration observations at a snow-dominated watershed in Colorado.
Guillaume Cinkus, Naomi Mazzilli, Hervé Jourde, Andreas Wunsch, Tanja Liesch, Nataša Ravbar, Zhao Chen, and Nico Goldscheider
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2397–2411, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2397-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2397-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE) is a performance criterion extensively used to evaluate hydrological models. We conduct a critical study on the KGE and its variant to examine counterbalancing errors. Results show that, when assessing a simulation, concurrent over- and underestimation of discharge can lead to an overall higher criterion score without an associated increase in model relevance. We suggest that one carefully choose performance criteria and use scaling factors.
Dapeng Feng, Hylke Beck, Kathryn Lawson, and Chaopeng Shen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2357–2373, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2357-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2357-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Powerful hybrid models (called δ or delta models) embrace the fundamental learning capability of AI and can also explain the physical processes. Here we test their performance when applied to regions not in the training data. δ models rivaled the accuracy of state-of-the-art AI models under the data-dense scenario and even surpassed them for the data-sparse one. They generalize well due to the physical structure included. δ models could be ideal candidates for global hydrologic assessment.
Simon Ricard, Philippe Lucas-Picher, Antoine Thiboult, and François Anctil
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2375–2395, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2375-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2375-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A simplified hydroclimatic modelling workflow is proposed to quantify the impact of climate change on water discharge without resorting to meteorological observations. Results confirm that the proposed workflow produces equivalent projections of the seasonal mean flows in comparison to a conventional hydroclimatic modelling approach. The proposed approach supports the participation of end-users in interpreting the impact of climate change on water resources.
Marcus Edmund Henry Buechel, Louise Slater, and Simon Dadson
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2023-138, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2023-138, 2023
Revised manuscript accepted for HESS
Short summary
Short summary
Afforestation has been proposed internationally, but the hydrological implications of such large increases in spatial extent of woodland are not fully understood. In this study we use a land surface model to simulate hydrology across Great Britain with realistic afforestation scenarios and potential climate changes. Countrywide afforestation minimally influences hydrology when compared to climate change, and reduces low streamflow whilst not lowering the highest flows.
Nutchanart Sriwongsitanon, Wasana Jandang, James Williams, Thienchart Suwawong, Ekkarin Maekan, and Hubert H. G. Savenije
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2149–2171, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2149-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2149-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We developed predictive semi-distributed rainfall–runoff models for nested sub-catchments in the upper Ping basin, which yielded better or similar performance compared to calibrated lumped models. The normalised difference infrared index proves to be an effective proxy for distributed root zone moisture capacity over sub-catchments and is well correlated with the percentage of evergreen forest. In validation, soil moisture simulations appeared to be highly correlated with the soil wetness index.
Yuchan Chen, Xiuzhi Chen, Meimei Xue, Chuanxun Yang, Wei Zheng, Jun Cao, Wenting Yan, and Wenping Yuan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1929–1943, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1929-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1929-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study addresses the quantification and estimation of the watershed-characteristic-related parameter (Pw) in the Budyko framework with the principle of hydrologically similar groups. The results show that Pw is closely related to soil moisture and fractional vegetation cover, and the relationship varies across specific hydrologic similarity groups. The overall satisfactory performance of the Pw estimation model improves the applicability of the Budyko framework for global runoff estimation.
Lena Katharina Schmidt, Till Francke, Peter Martin Grosse, Christoph Mayer, and Axel Bronstert
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1841–1863, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1841-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1841-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We present a suitable method to reconstruct sediment export from decadal records of hydroclimatic predictors (discharge, precipitation, temperature) and shorter suspended sediment measurements. This lets us fill the knowledge gap on how sediment export from glacierized high-alpine areas has responded to climate change. We find positive trends in sediment export from the two investigated nested catchments with step-like increases around 1981 which are linked to crucial changes in glacier melt.
Samantha Petch, Bo Dong, Tristan Quaife, Robert P. King, and Keith Haines
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1723–1744, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1723-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1723-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Gravitational measurements of water storage from GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) can improve understanding of the water budget. We produce flux estimates over large river catchments based on observations that close the monthly water budget and ensure consistency with GRACE on short and long timescales. We use energy data to provide additional constraints and balance the long-term energy budget. These flux estimates are important for evaluating climate models.
Ting Su, Chiyuan Miao, Qingyun Duan, Jiaojiao Gou, Xiaoying Guo, and Xi Zhao
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1477–1492, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1477-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1477-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The Three-River Source Region (TRSR) plays an extremely important role in water resources security and ecological and environmental protection in China and even all of Southeast Asia. This study used the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) land surface hydrologic model linked with the degree-day factor algorithm to simulate the runoff change in the TRSR. These results will help to guide current and future regulation and management of water resources in the TRSR.
Andreas Hartmann, Jean-Lionel Payeur-Poirier, and Luisa Hopp
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1325–1341, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1325-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1325-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We advance our understanding of including information derived from environmental tracers into hydrological modeling. We present a simple approach that integrates streamflow observations and tracer-derived streamflow contributions for model parameter estimation. We consider multiple observed streamflow components and their variation over time to quantify the impact of their inclusion for streamflow prediction at the catchment scale.
Dharmaveer Singh, Manu Vardhan, Rakesh Sahu, Debrupa Chatterjee, Pankaj Chauhan, and Shiyin Liu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1047–1075, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1047-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1047-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines, for the first time, the potential of various machine learning models in streamflow prediction over the Sutlej River basin (rainfall-dominated zone) in western Himalaya during the period 2041–2070 (2050s) and 2071–2100 (2080s) and its relationship to climate variability. The mean ensemble of the model results shows that the mean annual streamflow of the Sutlej River is expected to rise between the 2050s and 2080s by 0.79 to 1.43 % for SSP585 and by 0.87 to 1.10 % for SSP245.
Cited articles
Abe, Y. and Hunkeler, D.: Does the Rayleigh equation apply to evaluate field isotope data in contaminant hydrogeology?, Environ. Sci. Technol., 40, 1588–1596, https://doi.org/10.1021/es051128p, 2006.
Accinelli, C., Dinelli, G., Vicari, A., and Catizone, P.: Atrazine and metolachlor degradation in subsoils, Biol. Fert. Soils, 33, 495–500, https://doi.org/10.1007/s003740100358, 2001.
Al-Khatib, K., Baumgartner Unland, J., Olson, B. L. S., and Graham, D. W.: Alachlor and metolachlor transformation pattern in corn and soil, Weed Sci., 50, 581–586, https://doi.org/10.1614/0043-1745(2002)050[0581:AAMTPI]2.0.CO;2, 2002.
Atteia, O., Franceschi, M., and Dupuy, A.: Validation of reactive model assumptions with isotope data: application to the Dover case, Environ. Sci. Technol., 42, 3289–3295, https://doi.org/10.1021/es071269m, 2008.
Barra Caracciolo, A., Giuliano, G., Grenni, P., Guzzella, L., Pozzoni, F., Bottoni, P., Fava, L., Crobe, A., Orrù, M., and Funari, E.: Degradation and leaching of the herbicides metolachlor and diuron: a case study in an area of Northern Italy, Environ. Pollut., 134, 525–534, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2004.08.014, 2005.
Battaglin, W. A. and Goolsby, D. A.: Are shifts in herbicide use reflected in concentration changes in midwestern rivers?, Environ. Sci. Technol., 33, 2917–2925, https://doi.org/10.1021/es9900149, 1999.
Bedmar, F., Daniel, P. E., Costa, J. L., and Giménez, D.: Sorption of acetochlor, S-metolachlor, and atrazine in surface and subsurface soil horizons of Argentina, Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 30, 1990–1996, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.602, 2011.
Benettin, P., van der Velde, Y., van der Zee, S. E. A. T. M., Rinaldo, A., and Botter, G.: Chloride circulation in a lowland catchment and the formulation of transport by travel time distributions, Water Resour. Res., 49, 4619–4632, https://doi.org/10.1002/wrcr.20309, 2013.
Bertuzzo, E., Thomet, M., Botter, G., and Rinaldo, A.: Catchment-scale herbicides transport: theory and application, Adv. Water Resour., 52, 232–242, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2012.11.007, 2013.
Beven, K.: Parameter estimation and predictive uncertainty, in: Rainfall–Runoff Modelling, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, UK, 231–287, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119951001.ch7, 2012.
Blum, P., Hunkeler, D., Weede, M., Beyer, C., Grathwohl, P., and Morasch, B.: Quantification of biodegradation for o-xylene and naphthalene using first order decay models, Michaelis–Menten kinetics and stable carbon isotopes, J. Contam. Hydrol., 105, 118–130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2008.11.009, 2009.
Botter, G., Bertuzzo, E., and Rinaldo, A.: Transport in the hydrologic response: travel time distributions, soil moisture dynamics, and the old water paradox, Water Resour. Res., 46, W03514, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009WR008371, 2010.
Botter, G., Bertuzzo, E., and Rinaldo, A.: Catchment residence and travel time distributions: the master equation, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L11403, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL047666, 2011.
D'Affonseca, F. M., Prommer, H., Finkel, M., Blum, P., and Grathwohl, P.: Modeling the long-term and transient evolution of biogeochemical and isotopic signatures in coal tar-contaminated aquifers, Water Resour. Res., 47, W05518, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010WR009108, 2011.
Dinelli, G., Accinelli, C., Vicari, A., and Catizone, P.: Comparison of the persistence of atrazine and metolachlor under field and laboratory conditions, J. Agr. Food Chem., 48, 3037–3043, https://doi.org/10.1021/jf991057b, 2000.
Divers, M. T., Elliott, E. M., and Bain, D. J.: Quantification of nitrate sources to an urban stream using dual nitrate isotopes, Environ. Sci. Technol., 48, 10580–10587, https://doi.org/10.1021/es404880j, 2014.
Dyson, J. S., Beulke, S., Brown, C. D., and Lane, M. C. G.: Adsorption and degradation of the weak acid mesotrione in soil and environmental fate implications, J. Environ. Qual., 31, 613–618, https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2002.0613, 2002.
Eckert, D., Qiu, S., Elsner, M., and Cirpka, O. A.: Model complexity needed for quantitative analysis of high resolution isotope and concentration data from a toluene-pulse experiment, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 6900–6907, https://doi.org/10.1021/es304879d, 2013.
Elsayed, O. F., Maillard, E., Vuilleumier, S., Nijenhuis, I., Richnow, H. H., and Imfeld, G.: Using compound-specific isotope analysis to assess the degradation of chloroacetanilide herbicides in lab-scale wetlands, Chemosphere, 99, 89–95, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.10.027, 2014.
Elsner, M.: Stable isotope fractionation to investigate natural transformation mechanisms of organic contaminants: principles, prospects and limitations, J. Environ. Monitor., 12, 2005–2031, https://doi.org/10.1039/C0EM00277A, 2010.
Elsner, M. and Imfeld, G.: Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of micropollutants in the environment – current developments and future challenges, Curr. Opin. Biotech., 41, 60–72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2016.04.014, 2016.
Elsner, M., Jochmann, M., Hofstetter, T., Hunkeler, D., Bernstein, A., Schmidt, T., and Schimmelmann, A.: Current challenges in compound-specific stable isotope analysis of environmental organic contaminants, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 403, 2471–2491, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-011-5683-y, 2012.
Fenner, K., Canonica, S., Wackett, L. P., and Elsner, M.: Evaluating pesticide degradation in the environment: blind spots and emerging opportunities, Science, 341, 752–758, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1236281, 2013.
Fohrer, N., Dietrich, A., Kolychalow, O., and Ulrich, U.: Assessment of the environmental fate of the herbicides flufenacet and metazachlor with the SWAT model, J. Environ. Qual., 43, 75–85, 2014.
Gassmann, M., Khodorkovsky, M., Friedler, E., Dubowski, Y., and Olsson, O.: Uncertainty in the river export modelling of pesticides and transformation products, Environ. Modell. Softw., 51, 35–44, 2014.
Grube, A., Donaldson, D., Kiely, T., and Wu, L.: Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage 2006 and 2007 Market Estimates; US Environmental Protection Agency: Washington, 2011.
Guo, L., Jury, W. A., Wagenet, R. J., and Flury, M.: Dependence of pesticide degradation on sorption: nonequilibrium model and application to soil reactors, J. Contam. Hydrol., 43, 45–62, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-7722(99)00097-2, 2000.
Harman, C. J.: Time-variable transit time distributions and transport: Theory and application to storage-dependent transport of chloride in a watershed, Water Resour. Res., 51, 1–30, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014WR015707, 2015.
Hartenbach, A. E., Hofstetter, T. B., Tentscher, P. R., Canonica, S., Berg, M., and Schwarzenbach, R. P.: Carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen isotope fractionation during light-induced transformations of atrazine, Environ. Sci. Technol., 42, 7751–7756, https://doi.org/10.1021/es800356h, 2008.
Henderson, K. L., Belden, J. B., and Coats, J. R.: Mass balance of metolachlor in a grassed phytoremediation system, Environ. Sci. Technol., 41, 4084–4089, https://doi.org/10.1021/es061691n, 2007.
Hrachowitz, M., Fovet, O., Ruiz, L., and Savenije, H. H. G.: Transit time distributions, legacy contamination and variability in biogeochemical 1∕fα scaling: how are hydrological response dynamics linked to water quality at the catchment scale?, Hydrol. Process., 29, 5241–5256, 2015.
Hrachowitz, M., Benettin, P., van Breukelen, B. M., Fovet, O., Howden, N. J. K., Ruiz, L., van der Velde, Y., and Wade, A. J.: Transit times – the link between hydrology and water quality at the catchment scale, WIRES Water, 3, 629–657, https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1155, 2016.
Hunkeler, D., Aravena, R., Berry-Spark, K., and Cox, E.: Assessment of degradation pathways in an aquifer with mixed chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination using stable isotope analysis, Environ. Sci. Technol., 39, 5975–5981, https://doi.org/10.1021/es048464a, 2005.
Johannsen, A., Dähnke, K., and Emeis, K.: Isotopic composition of nitrate in five German rivers discharging into the North Sea, Org. Geochem., 39, 1678–1689, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2008.03.004, 2008.
Kellman, L. M. and Hillaire-Marcel, C.: Evaluation of nitrogen isotopes as indicators of nitrate contamination sources in an agricultural watershed, Agr. Ecosyst. Environ., 95, 87–102, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(02)00168-8, 2003.
Kirchner, J. W.: Catchments as simple dynamical systems: catchment characterization, rainfall–runoff modeling, and doing hydrology backward, Water Resour. Res., 45, W02429, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008WR006912, 2009.
Kopinke, F. D., Georgi, A., Imfeld, G., and Richnow, H. H.: Isotope fractionation of benzene during partitioning – revisited, Chemosphere, 168, 508–513, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.11.029, 2017.
Lefrancq, M.: Transport and Attenuation of Pesticides in Runoff From Agricultural Headwater Catchments: From Field Characterisation to Modelling, PhD thesis, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, 2014.
Lefrancq, M., Van Dijk, P., Jetten, V., Schwob, M., and Payraudeau, S.: Improving runoff prediction using agronomical information in a cropped, loess covered catchment, Hydrol. Process., 31, 1408–1423, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.11115, 2017.
Lutz, S. R., van Meerveld, H. J., Waterloo, M. J., Broers, H. P., and van Breukelen, B. M.: A model-based assessment of the potential use of compound-specific stable isotope analysis in river monitoring of diffuse pesticide pollution, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 4505–4524, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-4505-2013, 2013.
Mariotti, A., Germon, J. C., Hubert, P., Kaiser, P., Letolle, R., Tardieux, A., and Tardieux, P.: Experimental determination of nitrogen kinetic isotope fractionation: some principles; illustration for the denitrification and nitrification processes, Plant. Soil, 62, 413–430, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374138, 1981.
Meyer, A. H. and Elsner, M.: 13C∕12C and 15N∕14N isotope analysis to characterize degradation of atrazine: evidence from parent and daughter compound values, Environ. Sci. Technol., 47, 6884–6891, https://doi.org/10.1021/es305242q, 2013.
Meyer, A. H., Penning, H., and Elsner, M.: C and N isotope fractionation suggests similar mechanisms of microbial atrazine transformation despite involvement of different enzymes (AtzA and TrzN), Environ. Sci. Technol., 43, 8079–8085, https://doi.org/10.1021/es9013618, 2009.
Miller, J. L., Wollum, A. G., and Weber, J. B.: Degradation of carbon-14-atrazine and carbon-14-metolachlor in soil from four depths, J. Environ. Qual., 26, 633–638, https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1997.00472425002600030007x, 1997.
Milosevic, N., Qiu, S., Elsner, M., Einsiedl, F., Maier, M. P., Bensch, H. K. V., Albrechtsen, H. J., and Bjerg, P. L.: Combined isotope and enantiomer analysis to assess the fate of phenoxy acids in a heterogeneous geologic setting at an old landfill, Water. Res., 47, 637–649, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.10.029, 2013.
Park, J.-H., Feng, Y., Ji, P., Voice, T. C., and Boyd, S. A.: Assessment of bioavailability of soil-sorbed atrazine, Appl. Environ. Microb., 69, 3288–3298, https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.69.6.3288-3298.2003, 2003.
Parochetti, J. V.: Photodecomposition, volatility and leaching of atrazine, simazine, alachlor and metolachlor from soil and plant material, in: Meeting Weed Science Society of America, 8, Champaign, Illinois, 1978.
Penning, H. and Elsner, M.: Intramolecular carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis by quantitative dry fragmentation of the phenylurea herbicide isoproturon in a combined injector/capillary reactor prior to GC separation, Anal. Chem., 79, 8399–8405, https://doi.org/10.1021/ac071420a, 2007.
Penning, H., Sorensen, S. R., Meyer, A. H., Aamand, J., and Elsner, M.: C, N, and H isotope fractionation of the herbicide isoproturon reflects different microbial transformation pathways, Environ. Sci. Technol., 44, 2372–2378, https://doi.org/10.1021/es9031858, 2010.
Pooley, K. E., Blessing, M., Schmidt, T. C., Haderlein, S. B., Macquarrie, K. T. B., and Prommer, H.: Aerobic biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes in a fractured bedrock aquifer: quantitative assessment by Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) and reactive transport modeling, Environ. Sci. Technol., 43, 7458–7464, https://doi.org/10.1021/es900658n, 2009.
Prommer, H., Anneser, B., Rolle, M., Einsiedl, F., and Griebler, C.: Biogeochemical and isotopic gradients in a BTEX/PAH contaminant plume: model-based interpretation of a high-resolution field data set, Environ. Sci. Technol., 43, 8206–8212, https://doi.org/10.1021/es901142a, 2009.
Pullan, S. P., Whelan, M. J., Rettino, J., Filby, K., Eyre, S., and Holman, I. P.: Development and application of a catchment scale pesticide fate and transport model for use in drinking water risk assessment, Sci. Total. Environ., 563–564, 434–447, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.135, 2016.
Queloz, P., Carraro, L., Benettin, P., Botter, G., Rinaldo, A., and Bertuzzo, E.: Transport of fluorobenzoate tracers in a vegetated hydrologic control volume: 2. Theoretical inferences and modeling, Water Resour. Res., 51, 2793–2806, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014WR016508, 2015.
Rayleigh, L.: Theoretical considerations respecting the separation of gases by diffusion and similar processes, Philos. Mag., 42, 493–498, https://doi.org/10.1080/14786449608620944, 1896.
Reinnicke, S., Simonsen, A., Sørensen, S. R., Aamand, J., and Elsner, M.: C and N isotope fractionation during biodegradation of the pesticide metabolite 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM): potential for environmental assessments, Environ. Sci. Technol., 46, 1447–1454, https://doi.org/10.1021/es203660g, 2011.
Rice, P. J., Anderson, T. A., and Coats, J. R.: Degradation and persistence of metolachlor in soil: effects of concentration, soil moisture, soil depth, and sterilization, Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 21, 2640–2648, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620211216, 2002.
Rinaldo, A., Benettin, P., Harman, C., Hrachowitz, M., McGuire, K., van der Velde, Y., Bertuzzo, E., and Botter, G.: Storage selection functions: a coherent framework for quantifying how catchments store and release water and solutes, Water Resour. Res., 51, 1944–7973, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015WR017273, 2015.
Rivard, L.: Environmental Fate of Metolachlor. Environmental Monitoring Branch, Department of Pesticide Regulation, Sacramento, CA, 2003.
Rodríguez-Cruz, M. S., Jones, J. E., and Bending, G. D.: Field-scale study of the variability in pesticide biodegradation with soil depth and its relationship with soil characteristics, Soil Biol. Biochem., 38, 2910–2918, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2006.04.051, 2006.
Schmidt, T. C. and Jochmann, M. A.: Origin and fate of organic compounds in water: characterization by compound-specific stable isotope analysis, Annu. Rev. Anal. Chem., 5, 133–155, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-anchem-062011-143143, 2012.
Schreglmann, K., Hoeche, M., Steinbeiss, S., Reinnicke, S., and Elsner, M.: Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of atrazine and desethylatrazine at sub-microgram per liter concentrations in groundwater, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 405, 2857–2867, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6616-0, 2013.
Si, Y., Takagi, K., Iwasaki, A., and Zhou, D.: Adsorption, desorption and dissipation of metolachlor in surface and subsurface soils, Pest. Manag. Sci., 65, 956–962, https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.1779, 2009.
van Breukelen, B. M.: Quantifying the degradation and dilution contribution to natural attenuation of contaminants by means of an open system Rayleigh equation, Environ. Sci. Technol., 41, 4980–4985, https://doi.org/10.1021/es062846u, 2007.
van Breukelen, B. M. and Prommer, H.: Beyond the Rayleigh equation: reactive transport modeling of isotope fractionation effects to improve quantification of biodegradation, Environ. Sci. Technol., 42, 2457–2463, https://doi.org/10.1021/es071981j, 2008.
van Breukelen, B. M. and Rolle, M.: Transverse hydrodynamic dispersion effects on isotope signals in groundwater chlorinated solvents' plumes, Environ. Sci. Technol., 46, 7700–7708, https://doi.org/10.1021/es301058z, 2012.
van Breukelen, B. M., Hunkeler, D., and Volkering, F.: Quantification of sequential chlorinated ethene degradation by use of a reactive transport model incorporating isotope fractionation, Environ. Sci. Technol., 39, 4189–4197, https://doi.org/10.1021/es048973c, 2005.
van der Velde, Y., de Rooij, G. H., Rozemeijer, J. C., van Geer, F. C., and Broers, H. P.: Nitrate response of a lowland catchment: on the relation between stream concentration and travel time distribution dynamics, Water Resour. Res., 46, W11534, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010WR009105, 2010.
van der Velde, Y., Torfs, P. J. J. F., van der Zee, S. E. A. T. M., and Uijlenhoet, R.: Quantifying catchment-scale mixing and its effect on time-varying travel time distributions, Water Resour. Res., 48, W06536, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011WR011310, 2012.
van der Velde, Y., Heidbüchel, I., Lyon, S. W., Nyberg, L., Rodhe, A., Bishop, K., and Troch, P. A.: Consequences of mixing assumptions for time-variable travel time distributions, Hydrol. Process., 29, 1099–1085, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10372, 2015.
Voss, M., Deutsch, B., Elmgren, R., Humborg, C., Kuuppo, P., Pastuszak, M., Rolff, C., and Schulte, U.: Source identification of nitrate by means of isotopic tracers in the Baltic Sea catchments, Biogeosciences, 3, 663–676, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-3-663-2006, 2006.
Wanner, C., Eggenberger, U., and Mäder, U.: A chromate-contaminated site in southern Switzerland – Part 2: Reactive transport modeling to optimize remediation options, Appl. Geochem., 27, 655–662, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.11.008, 2012.
Wexler, S. K., Goodale, C. L., McGuire, K. J., Bailey, S. W., and Groffman, P. M.: Isotopic signals of summer denitrification in a northern hardwood forested catchment, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 111, 16413–16418, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1404321111, 2014.
Wiegert, C., Aeppli, C., Knowles, T., Holmstrand, H., Evershed, R., Pancost, R. D., Macháčková, J., and Gustafsson, Ö.: Dual carbon–chlorine stable isotope investigation of sources and fate of chlorinated ethenes in contaminated groundwater, Environ. Sci. Technol., 46, 10918–10925, https://doi.org/10.1021/es3016843, 2012.
Wittmer, I. K., Bader, H. P., Scheidegger, R., and Stamm, C.: REXPO: a catchment model designed to understand and simulate the loss dynamics of plant protection products and biocides from agricultural and urban areas, J. Hydrol., 533, 486–514, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.11.046, 2016.
Wu, L., Yao, J., Trebse, P., Zhang, N., and Richnow, H. H.: Compound specific isotope analysis of organophosphorus pesticides, Chemosphere, 111, 458–463, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.037, 2014.
Zambrano-Bigiarini, M. and Rojas, R.: A model-independent Particle Swarm Optimisation software for model calibration, Environ. Modell. Softw., 43, 5–25, 2013.
Zwank, L., Berg, M., Elsner, M., Schmidt, T. C., Schwarzenbach, R. P., and Haderlein, S. B.: New evaluation scheme for two-dimensional isotope analysis to decipher biodegradation processes: Application to groundwater contamination by MTBE, Environ. Sci. Technol., 39, 1018–1029, https://doi.org/10.1021/es049650j, 2005.
Short summary
This study presents concentration and carbon isotope data of two herbicides from a small agricultural catchment. Herbicide concentrations at the catchment outlet were highest after intense rainfall events. The isotope data indicated herbicide degradation within 2 months after application. The system was modelled with a conceptual mathematical model using the transport formulation by travel-time distributions, which allowed testing of various assumptions of pesticide transport and degradation.
This study presents concentration and carbon isotope data of two herbicides from a small...