Mechanisms responsible for streamflow generation on a small,salt-affected and deeply weathered hillslope

This paper considers the contributions of overland flow, throughflow and deep seepage to the generation of streamflow in a salt-affected, deeply weathered landscape. Runoff mechanisms on a small hillslope in south-western Australia were dependent on the extent and development of variable source areas. In winter, streamflow generation was controlled by returnflow, saturation overland flow and throughflow. In summer, post-ponding, infiltration-excess and saturation overland flow dominated. The extent of the variable source area and the magnitude of streamflow were due to antecedent soil moisture, rainfall and slope morphology. Concave hillslope sections accumulated soil moisture due to both saturated and unsaturated lateral flow processes. Throughflow provided the mechanism and vehicle for solute movement from the groundwater discharge area to the stream. However, discharge from the deep aquifer was the primary mechanism responsible for soil salinity and maintaining the core of the variable source area. Estimates of throughflow which only take account of soil-water movement and disregard returnflow, will underestimate the magnitude of throughflow.     

Effects of hillslope topography on hydrological responses in a weathered granite mountain,Japan: comparison of the runoff response between the valley‐head and the side slope

To evaluate the effects of hillslope topography on storm runoff in a weathered granite mountain, discharge rate, soil pore water pressures, and water chemistry were observed on two types of hillslope: a valley‐head (a concave hillslope) and a side slope (a planar hillslope). Hydrological responses on the valley‐head and side slope reflected their respective topographic characteristics and varied with the rainfall magnitude. During small rainfall events (<35 mm), runoff from the side slope occurred rapidly relative to the valley‐head. The valley‐head showed little response in storm runoff. As rainfall amounts increased (35–60 mm), the valley‐head yielded a higher flow relative to the side slope. For large rainfall events (>60 mm), runoff from both hillslopes increased with rainfall, although that from the valley‐head was larger than that from the side slope. The differences in the runoff responses were caused by differences in the roles of lower‐slope soils and the convergence of the hillslope. During small rainfall events, the side slope could store little water; in contrast, all rainwater could be stored in the soils at the valley‐head hollow. As the amount of rainfall increased, the subsurface saturated area of the valley‐head extended from the bottom to the upper portion of the slope, with the contributions of transient groundwater via lateral preferential flowpaths due to the high concentration of subsurface water. Conversely, saturated subsurface flow did not contribute to runoff responses, and the subsurface saturated area at the side slope did not extend to the upper slope for the same storm size. During large rainfall events, expansion of the subsurface saturated area was observed in both hillslopes. Thus, differences in the concentration of subsurface water, reflecting hillslope topography, may create differences in the extension of the subsurface saturated area, as well as variability in runoff responses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.