Abstract
The concentration of inorganic and organic suspended sediments is analysed in seven streams subject to different cutting procedures. Skidding the logs across the streams maintains the concentration of the inorganic and organic fractions above 1000 and 500 mg/L, respectively, with maxima reaching 197 000 and 65 000 mg/L. The concentrations generally remain under 35 mg/L when the stream is protected by a buffer zone. This zone may be a strip of standing trees or a width of soil untouched by the skidders. Disturbances of small tributaries frequently increases the concentration levels in the main stream above 100 mg/L with maxima reaching 960 and 2030 mg/L for the inorganic and organic fractions, respectively. The supplementary input of particulate matter becomes negligible 1 year after logging, except in Linière stream. There is no direct relation between the width of the green strip and the input of suspended sediments. The best protective measure is the conservation of a buffer zone along all the watercourses. This strip of unperturbed soil should be about 10 to 15 m wide.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call