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A method for developing a large-scale sediment yield index for European river basins

  • SEDIMENTS, SEC 3 • SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT AT THE RIVER BASIN SCALE • RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Abstract

Background, aim, and scope

Sediment fluxes within continental areas play a major role in biogeochemical cycles and are often the cause of soil surface degradation as well as water and ecosystem pollution. In a situation where a high proportion of the land surface is experiencing significant global land use and climate changes, it appears important to establish sediment budgets considering the major processes forcing sediment redistribution within drainage areas. In this context, the aim of this study is to test a methodology to estimate a sediment yield index at a large spatial resolution for European river basins.

Data and methods

Four indicators representing processes respectively considered as sources (mass movement and hillslope erosion), sinks (deposits), and transfers of sediments (drainage density) are defined using distributed data. Using these indicators we propose a basic conceptual approach to test the possibility of explaining sediment yield observed at the outlet of 29 selected European river basins. We propose an index which adds the two sources and transfers, and subsequently subtracts the sink term. This index is then compared to observed sediment yield data.

Results

With this approach, variability between river basins is observed and the evolution of each indicator analyzed. A linear regression shows a correlation coefficient of 0.83 linking observed specific sediment yield (SSY) with the SSY index.

Discussion

To improve this approach at this large river basin scale, basin classification is further refined using the relation between the observed SSY and the index obtained from the four indicators. It allows a refinement of the results.

Conclusions

This study presents a conceptual approach offering the advantages of using spatially distributed data combined with major sediment redistribution processes to estimate the sediment yield observed at the outlet of river basins.

Recommendations and perspectives

Inclusion of better information on spatial variability should refine the approach. In this respect, basin classification and partition can be useful when applying the model to homogeneous areas. Moreover, to assess the relative effect of each sediment redistribution process, indicators could be weighted for each basin typology.

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Acknowledgements

This study is financed through the Regolithe and RiskMVT research projects of BRGM. We would like to particularly thank P. Thierry and L. Closset for their help concerning the mass movement indicator definition, and for sharing their knowledge in this domain. We are also especially grateful to H. Bourennane for its comments and advices for the result presentation. Finally, the authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and the submission editor for their relevant comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BRGM ARN/ESL, 3 Av. Claude Guillemin, 45 060, Orléans Cedex, France

    Magalie Delmas, Olivier Cerdan & Manuel Garcin

  2. UMR Sisyphe, University P&M Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France

    Jean-Marie Mouchel

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  1. Magalie Delmas
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  2. Olivier Cerdan
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  3. Jean-Marie Mouchel
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  4. Manuel Garcin
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Correspondence to Magalie Delmas.

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Responsible editor: Philip N. Owens

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Delmas, M., Cerdan, O., Mouchel, JM. et al. A method for developing a large-scale sediment yield index for European river basins. J Soils Sediments 9, 613–626 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-009-0126-5

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