Universität zu Köln

Nauditt, A., Soulsby, C., Birkel, C., Rusman, A., Schueth, C., Ribbe, L., Alvarez, P. and Kretschmer, N. (2017). Using synoptic tracer surveys to assess runoff sources in an Andean headwater catchment in central Chile. Environ. Monit. Assess., 189 (9). DORDRECHT: SPRINGER. ISSN 1573-2959

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Abstract

Headwater catchments in the Andes provide critical sources of water for downstream areas with large agricultural communities dependent upon irrigation. Data from such remote headwater catchments are sparse, and there is limited understanding of their hydrological function to guide sustainable water management. Here, we present the findings of repeat synoptic tracer surveys as rapid appraisal tools to understand dominant hydrological flow paths in the semi-arid Rio Grande basin, a 572-km(2) headwater tributary of the 11,696-km(2) Limari basin in central Chile. Stable isotopes in stream water show a typical altitudinal effect, with downstream enrichment in delta H-2 and delta O-18 ratios. Seasonal signals are displayed in the isotopic composition of the springtime melting season water line with a steeper gradient, whilst evaporative effects are represented by lower seasonal gradients for autumn and summer. Concentrations of solutes indexed by electrical conductivity indicate that there are limited contributions of deeper mineralised groundwater to streamflow and that weathering rates vary in the different sub-catchments. Although simplistic, the insights gained from the study could be used to inform the structure and parameterisation of rainfall runoff models to provide seasonal discharge predictions as an evidence base for decision making in local water management.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Nauditt, A. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Soulsby, C. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Birkel, C. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Rusman, A. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Schueth, C. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Ribbe, L. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Alvarez, P. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Kretschmer, N. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-219870
DOI:	10.1007/s10661-017-6149-2
Journal or Publication Title:	Environ. Monit. Assess.
Volume:	189
Number:	9
Date:	2017
Publisher:	SPRINGER
Place of Publication:	DORDRECHT
ISSN:	1573-2959
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION; WATER; PRECIPITATION; NETWORK; IMPACT Multiple languages Environmental Sciences Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/21987