Drainage Basin Characteristics Research Articles

Morphometric and Soil Erosion Characterization Based on Geospatial Analysis and Drainage Basin Prioritization of the Rabigh Area Along the Eastern Red Sea Coastal Plain, Saudi Arabia

Soil erosion is one of the most significant problems in global environmental development. Assigning, analyzing, and quantifying the main physical characteristics of drainage basins are powerful keys in identifying regions where there is a higher risk of soil erosion and where prompt mitigation actions are needed. Drainage basins and their drainage systems are ideally defined using the analysis morphometric parameters and their quantitative description. The present study aims to analyze morphometric parameters to prioritize drainage basins that are prone to erosion. Topographic sheets and remotely sensed digital elevation model (DEM) datasets have been prepared and analyzed using geospatial techniques to delineate drainage basins of different sizes and extract different ordered drainage systems. Based on the analysis of morphometric parameters, the Rabigh area was divided into 12 drainage basins, which significantly contribute to determining soil erosion priority levels. The present study selected and applied the most effective morphometric parameters to rank and prioritize the drainage basins of the study area after considering the crucial quantitative characteristics, such as linear, relief, and areal aspects. For each single basin, the compound factor was assigned from several morphometric parameters and applied to rank the Rabigh area. The results confirm that Basins 1, 4, 11, and 12 require a high level of soil erosion priority over an area of 2107 km2; however, Basins 3, 8, 9, and 10 have little degradation and a low level of soil erosion priority. Therefore, in the regions where high soil erosion is a factor, mitigation techniques such as terracing, filter strips, contouring, and other effective and useful structural and non-structural methods should be applied.

Quantification of geomorphodiversity and its spatial distribution with the flood inundation areas for Assam, India.

Assam, located in the Northeast of India, is highly flood-prone, and the erosional and depositional processes highly influence the landforms. The formation and development of landforms are directly related to the geology, geomorphology, drainage basin characteristics, and soil types of the region. In the present study, a remote sensing and GIS-based geomorphodiversity index (GMI) assessment of Assam is performed using three sub-indices: geodiversity, morphometric diversity, and drainage diversity index. Sixty-six potential geomorphosites are identified with their geological, geomorphological, and GMI classes. With the help of a flood inundation map, the inundated area of each GMI class is calculated. According to the result, 27.02%, 10.76%, and 3.7% of the total area of Assam fall under moderate, high, and very high GMI classes, respectively. Barak Valley and Central Assam region exhibit high to very high GMI values. Geology and geomorphology have a strong influence on GMI values. About 22.32%, 28.33%, 37.18%, 38.25%, and 35.37% of areas with low, moderate, high, and very high GMI are inundated, respectively. This study determined that areas having high GMI can increase the geomorphological heritage value of the region and can play a significant role in promoting geotourism with an increase in the scientific, educational, and aesthetic value of geomorphosites. This study can also help the local governing authorities to conduct and implement better management and conservation policies for vulnerable locations.

Drought Characterization With GPS: Insights Into Groundwater and Surface‐Reservoir Storage in California

AbstractDrought intensity is commonly characterized using meteorologically‐based metrics that do not provide insight into water deficits within deeper hydrologic systems. In contrast, global positioning system (GPS) displacements are sensitive to both local and regional hydrologic‐storage fluctuations. While a few studies have leveraged this sensitivity to produce geodetic drought indices, hydrologic drought characterization using GPS is not commonly accounted for in drought assessment and management. To motivate this application, we produce a new geodetic drought index (GDI) and quantify its ability to characterize hydrologic drought conditions in key surface and sub‐surface hydrologic reservoirs/pools across California. In northern California, the GDI exhibits a strong regional association with surface‐reservoir storage at the 1‐month time scale (correlation coefficient: 0.83) and groundwater levels at the 3‐month time scale (correlation coefficient: 0.87), along with moderate associations with stream discharge at the daily (instantaneous) time scale (correlation coefficient: 0.50). Groundwater in southern California is best characterized with a 12‐month GDI (correlation coefficient: 0.77), and surface‐reservoir storage is optimized with the 3‐month GDI (correlation coefficient: 0.72). Two sigma uncertainties are ±0.03. Differences between northern and southern California reveal that the GDI is sensitive to unique aquifer and drainage basin characteristics. In addition to capturing long‐term hydrologic trends, rapid changes in the GDI initiate during clusters of large atmospheric river events that closely mirror fluctuations in traditional hydrologic and meteorological observations. We show that GPS‐based hydrologic drought indices provide a significant opportunity to improve drought assessment, in California and beyond, by improving our understanding of the hydrologic cycle.

Tectonic controls on the morphometry of alluvial fans in an arid region, northeast Iran

ABSTRACT The morphology of alluvial fans provides valuable information about changes in tectonic, climate, base level, and drainage basin characteristics. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between active tectonics and morphometric characteristics of alluvial fans in the less studied southern region of the Joghatay mountain, northeast Iran. The study area includes 13 alluvial fans and their corresponding catchment basins in a region with semi-arid climate. Morphometric characteristics of alluvial fans and their corresponding drainage basin including fan area, fan slope, sweep angle, fan toe length, fan radius, basin area, basin slope, fan’s width-to-length ratio, asymmetry factor, and basin shape were measured. Our results revealed a negative relationship between the slope of alluvial fans and their corresponding basin area. The weak correlation between the drainage basin area and the fans area may be attributed to the lithology and active tectonics in the study area. The small sweep angle values of the studied alluvial fans can be attributed to the activity of thrust faults and presence of an uplifting anticline that resulted in formation of elongated alluvial fans in our study area. Analysis of the relationship between the morphometric characteristics of the fans and their corresponding basins indicated a negative correlation, which can be attributed to the sediment transport efficiency of the basins.

Changes in morphological characteristics of drainage basins following coseismic landslides by the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake

Changes in morphological characteristics of drainage basins following coseismic landslides by the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake

Morphometric characteristics of the Alas-Singkil drainage basins

The Alas-Singkil drainage basin is the broadest watershed and an essential ecosystem for maintaining hydrology and ecosystems in the northern Sumatera. This study aims to describe the morphometric and hydrological characteristics of the Singkil watershed. The data sourced from Google Earth, DEM data and the results of team expeditions at the sub-watershed locations. The data analysis is related to the characteristics of the Singkil watershed, which include watershed area, watershed shape, river network, river flow pattern, river flow density, and watershed hydrology. Analysis of hydrological characteristics by calculating the peak of the flood was also carried out. The results showed that the Singkil watershed is a broad watershed with an area of 12027.18 km2. The Alas-Singkil drainage basin consists of 7 sub-watersheds, with the length of the main river reaching 368 km. The order of Singkil watershed reaches 8 orders and consists of 7235 orders 1, 1964 orders 2, 390 orders 3, 92 orders 4, 26 orders 5, 6 orders 6, 4 orders 7. The shape of Alas-Singkil drainage basin is elongated with RC value of 0.16. The level of river branching in the Alas-Singkil watershed is 4.76. The maximum discharge in the Alas-Singkil watershed reaches 59,178 m3/sec.

Drainage Basin Characteristics of Dhund River Basin, Eastern Rajasthan India, Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Morphometric analysis is mathematical evaluation and measurement of the earth’s shape, surface and its landform’s dimension. Morphometric analysis of Dhund river basin in Jaipur district of Rajasthan India has been carried out to evaluate various morphometric parameters following the linear, areal and relief aspects. The drainage basin, which covers a total area of about 1828 km2 lies in eastern part of the district with maximum and minimum elevation of 603 m and 214 m respectively. Morphotectonic parameters like Hypsometric Integral, Sinuosity index and Asymmetry Factor have also been computed to identify the tectonic characteristics of the drainage basin. Primary and secondary data such as SOI topographic map, Cartosat-1 DEM and other relevant data were utilized. ArcGIS software (Arc Map 10.2) was used for geo-referencing of topographic maps, delineation of watershed and preparation of DEM, slope and drainage network. The basin is 6th order drainage basin having dendritic pattern of drainage network. A relatively lower mean value of Bifurcation ratio suggests that the drainage basin is formed by uniformed materials. Drainage basin area has little elongated shape and is less prone to floods. Basin has different erosional stages and levels of tectonic activity, Moderate Meandering and unstable setting.

Analysis of confluence angle of drainages and its relation to morphometric properties of drainage basins in the Zagros Simply Folded Belt, Iran

Quantitative analysis of drainage network properties plays an important role in the identification of active tectonics and their spatial variations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the drainage's confluence angle (α) in relation to tectonic activity and morphometric characteristics of drainage basins. A total of 23 drainage basins in the Zagros Simply Folded Belt were selected and then the values of α were calculated for 7829 drainage junctions. The relationship between α and other morphometric indexes such as basin area, perimeter, slope, asymmetry factor, shape, circularity, drainage density, ratio of the 1st-order streams to the total number of streams of all orders, and density of drainage's hierarchical anomaly were analyzed. Results show that mean of α increases as the order of stream junctions increases. Basins with higher values of elongation, the ratio of the 1st-order streams to the total number of streams of all orders, and density of drainage's hierarchical anomaly have higher α values. Results also show that the lateral and vertical growth of anticlines, axes of anticlines, trends of faults and drainage patterns influenced by folds growth strongly control the confluence angles of drainage channels in the studied basins.

The Influence of the Characteristics of Drainage Basin on Depositional Processes of the Alluvial Fan: An Example from the Cretaceous Duwon Formation in Goheung Area

The Influence of the Characteristics of Drainage Basin on Depositional Processes of the Alluvial Fan: An Example from the Cretaceous Duwon Formation in Goheung Area

Application of GIS techniques to understand the geomorphometric characteristics of a tropical watershed in South India

ABSTRACT Identifying and protecting natural resources is a meaningful way forward for achieving sustainable development. Since water is a precious natural resource that is being depleted faster than it is recharged, there is an urgent need to evaluate and monitor this resource. Watershed-based studies are gaining momentum, while studying about the natural resources. The purpose of this study is to analyze the morphometric characteristics of a watershed. Numerous morphometric parameters have been devised by various scholars to measure the drainage basin characteristics quantitatively. The methodology of this study is to make use of remote sensing and GIS techniques to analyze the drainage morphometry of Vannathangarai watershed in Tamil Nadu, India. The study has identified that the watershed has a low runoff and slow infiltration, thus pointing toward a probability of flooding. The study also revealed that the basin is well drained, basin where the surface is lowered by erosion.

A study on the erosion hazard rate of Limboto Lake catchment area

Damages to the land resources, mainly those happening on the drainage basin at Alo, Gorontalo occur in consequence of degradation of the ground surface layer as hit by raindrops and rainwater flow that carry soil surface. This issue becomes quite serious due to illegal logging and agricultural land conversion, mostly for maize fields as one of Gorontalo’s top commodities. As an attempt to analyze the problems, this study is undergone through field observation and documentation. This study covers aspects of socio-biogeophysical characteristics of the Alo drainage basin and analyzes the level of soil surface erosion and tolerable erosion rate. The result shows that 98.75 percent of erosion hazard is classified into low-to-moderate, covering approximately 6,874.721 hectares. Meanwhile, 1.25 percent of the high-to-extreme level of erosion hazard is 98.79 hectares wide. This suggests that the inappropriate use of land is more likely to increase the erosion hazard rate.

Centennial-scale age offsets of plant wax n-alkanes in Adirondack lake sediments

Lacustrine sediments have the potential to preserve paleoenvironmental proxies such as terrestrial plant waxes at high temporal resolution. The temporal fidelity of plant wax records, however, can be up to several thousand years older than the corresponding sediment, based on compound-specific radiocarbon (14C) analysis. Unfortunately, the factors controlling 14C age offsets between plant waxes and sediments are not well understood. The aims of this study are to quantify and compare plant wax n-alkane 14C age offsets among lakes within the same region, and to determine if drainage and lake basin differences (e.g., size, relief, drainage basin morphology, fluvial inputs) influence these offsets. We collected sediments from five lakes in the Adirondack Mountains, NY, USA that lack petrogenic sources of n-alkanes, and range in drainage basin characteristics. Sediment age models were constructed for each lake using a combination of sediment 210Pb, 137Cs, and macrofossil 14C ages, and compared to 14C ages of long-chain (n-C27, n-C29, n-C31) alkanes sampled from Holocene and Late Glacial aged sediments. The n-alkane 14C ageinitial is a measure of the age offset in n-alkanes relative to the sediment they are deposited in. Across all lakes, the n-alkane 14C ageinitial ranged from penecontemporaneous to 2440 14C yr. This oldest n-alkane 14C ageinitial is significantly outside the distribution of all other samples; when excluded, the overall mean n-alkane 14C ageinitial was 400 ± 255 14C yr (n = 23). The largest n-alkane 14C ageinitial values were observed in the last 1 cal kyr BP (565 ± 180 14C yr (1σ), n = 12)) compared to sediments deposited between 1 and 13 cal kyr BP (220 ± 195 14C yr (1σ), n = 11)). These age offsets develop early after initial lake basin sedimentation and follow a similar pattern in all of the lakes despite differences in lake basin and catchment size, relief, and geomorphology. We speculate that 14C age offsets occur due to reworking of older n-alkanes stored in drainage basin sediments and soils and this mechanism is most effective in the last ∼1 kyr. Regardless, lakes in temperate forested metamorphic bedrock terrains have relatively small and stable n-alkane age offsets compared with lakes with extensive catchment soils or anthropogenic disturbance. By targeting lakes with minimal catchment soils, age offsets may be reduced, thereby minimizing attenuation or age distortion of climate signals in plant wax isotopic records.

Geologic controls on paleodrainage incision and morphology during sea level lowstands on the Cascadia shelf in Oregon, USA

The lowstand extensions of two fluvial systems from the Cascadia subduction margin are investigated using high-resolution seismic reflection data to determine the relative controls on paleodrainage morphology. We document distinct differences between the two systems, located ~40 km apart, attributed to underlying structure and lithology, shelf gradient, and drainage basin characteristics. A cross-shelf valley exists for only one of the drainage systems, the Umpqua River. The outer shelf part of the valley is a syncline, which formed a natural structural low for lowstand drainage, while the inner shelf part of the valley exhibits incision and is associated with a mid-shelf convex change is slope. The other drainage system, the Siuslaw River, did not develop an across-shelf valley and is only denoted in the seismic data by an erosional subaerial unconformity. Structural trends are perpendicular to cross-shelf drainage, supporting a more anastomosing stream morphology for the paleo-Siuslaw. The shelf edge for this system was not exposed for a long period of time during the last lowstand, preventing substantial outer shelf incision. Differences in fluvial elevation, discharge, and hinterland geology, also played a role in the cross-shelf morphologies of the paleo-Umpqua and paleo-Siuslaw. These results highlight how controls on lowstand paleodrainage morphology can change over short distances on an active margin.

Tectonic versus rock-controlled mountain fronts – Geomorphometric and geostatistical approach (Sowie Mts., Central Europe)

Distinguishing between mountain fronts of various origins is an issue of considerable scientific and practical importance. Whereas morphometry is often applied to fault-generated fronts and a range of indices has been proposed to assess their activity, comparative studies of fault-generated and fault-line escarpments seem very rare. In this paper we analyze two mountain fronts delimiting the Sowie Mountains block (SW Poland, Central Europe) from the opposite sides. One is evidently a fault-generated escarpment, whereas the other one coincides with a distinct lithological boundary, although along an old Variscan fault, and appears to be a fault-line escarpment. These two fronts are characterized in terms of sinuosity, spacing ratio, slope characteristics, altitude variability using geostatistical approach, longitudinal stream profiles, drainage basin characteristics and the presence of mid-slope flats within the elevated block. Clustering and statistical hypothesis testing were used to recognize patterns of spatial similarities and differences. The main findings emerging from this study are as follows. The two mountain fronts are different in terms of morphological characteristics, but only some indices and parameters have discriminating value, mainly SL index, drainage basin typology, altitude variability in the frontal zone. Some parameters, such as drainage basin asymmetry and the altitude position of water divide flats, change non-systematically and their interpretation remains ambiguous. Their variability probably reflects local controls. Overall, the results strongly indicate that geomorphic histories of the mountain fronts and overarching controls of their long-term evolution were different. Morphometric properties and landform features, if considered in isolation and without statistical treatment, appear to be ambiguous in interpretation. This applies particularly to drainage basin properties. However, drainage basin clustering using a k-means algorithm helped to discriminate between the fronts and may be recommended for similar studies elsewhere.

Statistical assessment of background levels for metal contamination from a subtropical estuarine system in the SW Atlantic (Paranaguá Estuarine System, Brazil)

Trace metal background levels determination is essential for the proper assessment of the contamination status of a region. This study aims to integrate geochemical and statistical methods for the reliable determination of background levels, applying it to the sediments of the Paranagua Estuarine System (PES), a large subtropical estuarine system of international importance since it is considered a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve and it harbors the main South American grain shipping port. Prediction Interval (PI) was applied as a chemometric tool to evaluate metal enrichment without a reference level and assess a regional background. Moreover, the sources and concentrations of major and trace elements were assessed in surface sediments from 135 sampling sites located in the Paranagua Estuarine System (PES). PES surface sediment elements concentrations may be considered lower than those found in other anthropized environments indicating no significant contamination for most of the studied elements (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). The levels of As in the PES may be related to the geochemical characteristics of the adjacent drainage basin and the occurrence of phosphate rocks, which contain As in their composition. However, As was also influenced by anthropogenic inputs either from agricultural activities or fertilizer industries working with mining phosphate in the region.

Freshwater runoff effects on the production of biogenic silicate and chlorophyll-a in western Patagonia archipelago (50–51°S)

Freshwater discharged from the continent to the sea plays an important role in the biogeochemistry and productivity of the coastal ocean. The continental drainage basin characteristics can be a key local factor determining the concentration, proportions and timing of bio-active freshwater solutes discharged into an estuary, and thus could play a “bottom up” role modulating the phytoplankton assemblage attributes. In a period from 2015 to 2017 we characterize the concentration of total alkalinity (AT) and silicic acid (DSi) in continental and estuarine surface waters at both limestone and silicates basins of the Madre de Dios archipelago (ca. 50–51°S and 75.5–75°W). Continental waters had high AT in limestone and low AT in silicate basins causing differences in the specific total alkalinity of estuarine waters. Similarly, while limestone continental water is characterized by very low DSi concentrations (3 ± 3 μM, n = 16) that dilute initial DSi concentrations of sub-Antarctic Surface Water (SAASW) at the mixing zone, continental water from silicate drainage basins (Patagonian Batholith; 53 ± 49 μM, n = 18) acts as a source of DSi to the estuary. Experimental SAASW dilution with two types of native continental water, one supplying high AT – low DSi and another supplying low AT – high DSi to the western central Patagonian Archipelago, resulted in phytoplankton assemblages with different characteristics. While “silicate-water” freshening of SAASW resulted in higher biogenic silicate (bSi) content, “limestone-water” freshening of SAASW resulted in higher levels chlorophyll a allocated in small cells-size range (0.45–2 μm). We suggest that the local variability in the suite of solutes delivered from continental runoff can significantly modulate phytoplankton communities attributes, especially in western Patagonian with interior estuarine waters characterized by extensive channels and fjords, together with extreme precipitation/runoff (>6 m y−1) and sharp contrasts in lithology.

Mercury Bioaccumulation in Lacustrine Fish Populations Along a Climatic Gradient in Northern Ontario, Canada

Climate change is predicted to alter many processes in boreal aquatic ecosystems, including mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in fish. We investigated current patterns in fish Hg across a climatic gradient in northern Ontario, Canada, to assess the possible influence of further climate change. Cohabiting populations of walleye (a piscivore) and white sucker (a benthivore) were sampled from lakes spanning over 9.0° of latitude (45° 24′ N–54° 20′ N). Latitudinal trends were evident in climatic conditions, as well as several other ecosystem characteristics over this range. Muscle total Hg concentration ([THg]) was modelled with respect to climatic variables as well as other physical, chemical, and biological variables, and all models were ranked by Akaike information criterion. Neither long-term mean temperature nor precipitation was a strong predictor of current muscle [THg] in either species across this region. Instead, drainage basin characteristics (for example, mean slope) and lake water chemistry (for example, [DOC], [SO4]) were the strongest predictors, followed by fish biological traits (for example, muscle δ13C). Walleye [THg] was more strongly related to water chemistry, and white sucker [THg] was more strongly related to drainage basin physical characteristics. For both species, muscle [THg] showed unimodal relationships with several predictors (for example, latitude, [SO4], [DOC]), peaking in their mid-ranges. Fish [THg] is not strongly associated with current climatic conditions across northern Ontario but may be influenced by climate change in future through indirect effects on water chemistry and food web structure.

Assessment of geomorphological and hydrological variations in Bhagirathi River Drainage sub-basin with the help of morphometric studies

ABSTRACTInterpretation of geomorphic features and drainage characteristics of Bhagirathi River sub-basin was carried out with the help of morphometric analysis. Various, areal, linear and relief parameters were calculated to assess drainage basin characteristics quantitatively, determine infiltration and surface runoff behavior control of drainage. The drainage network was analyzed using IRS-PAN satellite data and Survey of India toposheets. Findings show that the Bhagirathi sub-basin from Gaumukh to Chirbas exhibits dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage patterns and is characterized by third-order streams up to Chirbas. Stream segments development in the basin is controlled by local relief and slope. The bifurcation ratio indicate disparity of bifurcation between the different stream orders owing to structural control and circularity ratio indicates sub-elongated shape of basin. This study will be helpful for making soil erosion prevention strategies and its conservation and facilitate the understanding of water retention function in river basins.

Morphometric analysis of watershed using remote sensing and GIS—a case study of Nanganji River Basin in Tamil Nadu, India

Morphometric analysis of a river basin is essential to identify and assess seasonal changes in drainage basin characteristics, understand the groundwater potential, and address issues related to management of soil erosion due to flash floods during the high flows. Nanganji River Basin is one of the least studied seasonal river basins in India which carry substantial flows during the monsoon period. In this study, morphometry of Nanganji River Basin, located in the central Tamil Nadu prairies, has been studied using remote sensing and GIS. The interrelationship between the various morphometric factors of the basin has been studied using a correlation matrix. Factor analysis has been applied to group the individual morphometric parameters into a smaller number of factors. Further, these factors have been studied in relation to the sub-basins to understand the existing relation between the factors and the sub-basins. Finally, the study identifies environmental issues of the Nanganji River Basin mostly related to the river flow regime which widens significantly during the monsoon months.

Determination of Evolution Stages of Landform: A Comparative Study of Mountain-Plain (Kosi, Bihar) and Plateau-Plain (Kangsabati, WB) Regions of Tropical India

The major aim of quantitative geomorphology is to understand the geomorphological stages of evolution of any area. The quantitative revolution and the development of remote sensing and GIS techniques have brought greater attention to this field of analysis. We have used a morphometric analysis, which is an important indicator to understand the geomorphic stages of evolution of any drainage basin, to compare the drainage basin characteristics and related stages of evolution of a mountain-plain and plateau-plain drainage basin in tropical India. The Kosi basin has been selected for the mountain-plain area and Kangsabati basin is the chosen region for the plateau-plain area. Different drainage morphometric parameters and measurements related to linear, areal, relief characteristics have been determined through the use of SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission) GeoDEM and ARC GIS 10.1. Area-altitude relationship and hypsometric characteristics have also been accessed to identify the stages of geomorphic evolution. All the relief characteristics indicate Kosi in a young or rejuvenated stage when compared to the mature plateau region of the river of Kangsabati. Morphometric characteristics also indicate that there are high geologic and geomorphological controls on river basin characteristics.