scholarly journals Dye staining and excavation of a lateral preferential flow network

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 935-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Anderson ◽  
M. Weiler ◽  
Y. Alila ◽  
R. O. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Solute Transport ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Dye Staining ◽  
Hillslope Scale ◽  
Surrounding Soil

Abstract. Preferential flow paths have been found to be important for runoff generation, solute transport, and slope stability in many areas around the world. Although many studies have identified the particular characteristics of individual features and measured the runoff generation and solute transport within hillslopes, very few studies have determined how individual features are hydraulically connected at a hillslope scale. In this study, we used dye staining and excavation to determine the morphology and spatial pattern of a preferential flow network over a large scale (30 m). We explore the feasibility of extending small-scale dye staining techniques to the hillslope scale. We determine the lateral preferential flow paths that are active during the steady-state flow conditions and their interaction with the surrounding soil matrix. We also calculate the velocities of the flow through each cross-section of the hillslope and compare them to hillslope scale applied tracer measurements. Finally, we investigate the relationship between the contributing area and the characteristics of the preferential flow paths. The experiment revealed that larger contributing areas coincided with highly developed and hydraulically connected preferential flow paths that had flow with little interaction with the surrounding soil matrix. We found evidence of subsurface erosion and deposition of soil and organic material laterally and vertically within the soil. These results are important because they add to the understanding of the runoff generation, solute transport, and slope stability of preferential flow-dominated hillslopes.

scholarly journals Dye staining and excavation of a lateral preferential flow network

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1043-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Anderson ◽  
M. Weiler ◽  
Y. Alila ◽  
R. O. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Solute Transport ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Flow Network ◽  
Flow Features ◽  
Dye Staining ◽  
Hillslope Scale ◽  
Surrounding Soil

Abstract. Preferential flow features have been found to be important for runoff generation, solute transport, and slope stability in many areas around the world. Although many studies have identified the particular characteristics of individual features and measured the runoff generation and solute transport within hillslopes, no studies have determined how individual features are hydraulically connected at a hillslope scale. In this study, we used dye staining and excavation to determine the morphology and spatial pattern of a preferential flow network over a large scale (30 m). We explore the feasibility of extending small-scale dye staining techniques to the hillslope scale. We determine the lateral preferential flow features that are active during the steady state flow conditions and their interaction with the surrounding soil matrix. We also calculate the velocities of the flow through each cross-section of the hillslope and compare them to hillslope scale applied tracer measurements. Finally, we investigate the relationship between the contributing area and the characteristics of the preferential features. The experiment revealed that larger contributing areas coincided with highly developed and hydraulically connected preferential features that had flow with little interaction with the surrounding soil matrix. We found evidence of subsurface erosion and deposition of soil and organic material laterally and vertically within the soil. These results are important because they add to the understanding of the runoff generation, solute transport, and slope stability of these types of hillslopes.

Equation for Describing Solute Transport in Field Soils with Preferential Flow Paths

2005 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Jin Kim ◽  
Christophe J. G. Darnault ◽  
Nathan O. Bailey ◽  
J.-Yves Parlange ◽  
Tammo S. Steenhuis
Keyword(s):  
Solute Transport ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Field Soils

scholarly journals A model of hydrological and mechanical feedbacks of preferential fissure flow in a slow-moving landslide

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 947-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Krzeminska ◽  
T. A. Bogaard ◽  
J.-P. Malet ◽  
L. P. H. van Beek
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Landslide Activity ◽  
Hydrological Responses ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Slow Moving ◽  
Groundwater Drainage ◽  
Opening And Closing

Abstract. The importance of hydrological processes for landslide activity is generally accepted. However, the relationship between precipitation, hydrological responses and movement is not straightforward. Groundwater recharge is mostly controlled by the hydrological material properties and the structure (e.g., layering, preferential flow paths such as fissures) of the unsaturated zone. In slow-moving landslides, differential displacements caused by the bedrock structure complicate the hydrological regime due to continuous opening and closing of the fissures, creating temporary preferential flow paths systems for infiltration and groundwater drainage. The consecutive opening and closing of fissure aperture control the formation of a critical pore water pressure by creating dynamic preferential flow paths for infiltration and groundwater drainage. This interaction may explain the seasonal nature of the slow-moving landslide activity, including the often observed shifts and delays in hydrological responses when compared to timing, intensity and duration of precipitation. The main objective of this study is to model the influence of fissures on the hydrological dynamics of slow-moving landslide and the dynamic feedbacks between fissures, hydrology and slope stability. For this we adapt the spatially distributed hydrological and slope stability model (STARWARS) to account for geotechnical and hydrological feedbacks, linking between hydrological response of the landside and the dynamics of the fissure network and applied the model to the hydrologically controlled Super-Sauze landslide (South French Alps).

Are preferential flow paths perpetuated by microbial activity in the soil matrix? A review

2010 ◽  
Vol 393 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica L. Morales ◽  
J.-Yves Parlange ◽  
Tammo S. Steenhuis
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths

scholarly journals A conceptual model of the hydrological influence of fissures on landslide activity

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 11039-11073 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Krzeminska ◽  
T. A. Bogaard ◽  
Th. W. J. van Asch ◽  
L. P. H. van Beek
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Hydrological Regime ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Hydrological Processes ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Meteorological Forcing ◽  
Landslide Activity ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Slow Moving

Abstract. Hydrological processes control the behaviour of many unstable slopes and their importance for landslide activity is generally accepted. In slow-moving landslides differential displacement complicates the hydrological regime due to continuous opening and closing of the fissures and cracks, creating dynamic preferential flow path systems. The consequences of the appearance and destruction of these preferential flow paths is thus closely related to the formation of critical pore pressure and the resulting movement and persistence of fissure systems. This interaction may account for the seasonal nature of the slow-moving landslide activity, including the often observed shifts and delays. This research aims to investigate this interaction between slope stability and spatial and temporal variations in fissure patterns, which makes fissures act both as preferential flow paths for infiltration and as lateral groundwater drains. To this end, the hydrological processes that control exchange of water between the fissure network and the matrix has been included in a spatially distributed hydrological and slope stability model. The ensuing feedbacks in landslide activity were explored by running the model with the meteorological forcing of one year until a dynamic steady-state was achieved. The effect of fissure dynamics was evaluated by comparing simulations with static fissure patterns to those in which these patterns deform as function of the local stability.

scholarly journals A model of hydrological and mechanical feedbacks of preferential fissure flow in a slow-moving landslide

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 11161-11197 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Krzeminska ◽  
T. A. Bogaard ◽  
J.-P. Malet ◽  
L. P. H van Beek
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Landslide Activity ◽  
Hydrological Responses ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Slow Moving ◽  
Groundwater Drainage ◽  
Opening And Closing

Abstract. The importance of hydrological processes for landslide activity is generally accepted. However, the relationship between precipitation, hydrological responses and movement is not straightforward. Groundwater recharge is mostly controlled by the hydrological material properties and the structure (e.g. layering, preferential flow paths such as fissures) of the unsaturated zone. In slow-moving landslides, differential displacements caused by the bedrock structure complicate the hydrological regime due to continuous opening and closing of the fissures, creating temporary preferential flow paths systems for infiltration and groundwater drainage. The consecutive opening and closing of fissure aperture control the formation of a critical pore water pressure by creating dynamic preferential flow paths for infiltration and groundwater drainage. This interaction may explain the seasonal nature of the slow-moving landslide activity, including the often observed shifts and delays in hydrological responses when compared to timing, intensity and duration of precipitation. The main objective of this study is to model the influence of fissures on the hydrological dynamics of slow-moving landslide and the dynamic feedbacks between fissures, hydrology and slope stability. For this we adapt the spatially distributed hydrological and slope stability model (STARWARS) to account for geotechnical and hydrological feedbacks, linking between hydrological response of the landside and the dynamics of the fissure network and applied the model to the hydrologically controlled Super-Sauze landslide (South French Alps).

scholarly journals Predicting subsurface stormflow response of a forested hillslope – the role of connected flow paths

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wienhöfer ◽  
E. Zehe
Keyword(s):  
Solute Transport ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Quantitative Description ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Preferential Flow Paths ◽  
Model Set

Abstract. Rapid flow processes in connected preferential flow paths are widely accepted to play a key role in the rainfall–runoff response at the hillslope scale, but a quantitative description of these processes is still a major challenge in hydrological research. This paper investigates the approach of incorporating preferential flow paths explicitly in a process-based model for modelling water flow and solute transport at a steep forested hillslope. We conceptualise preferential flow paths as spatially explicit structures with high conductivity and low retention capacity, and evaluate simulations with different combinations of vertical and lateral flow paths in conjunction with variable or constant soil depths against measured discharge and tracer breakthrough. Out of 122 tested realisations, six set-ups fulfilled our selection criteria for the water flow simulation. These set-ups successfully simulated infiltration, vertical and lateral subsurface flow in structures, and allowed predicting the magnitude, dynamics and water balance of the hydrological response of the hillslope during successive periods of steady-state sprinkling on selected plots and intermittent rainfall on the entire hillslope area. The number of equifinal model set-ups was further reduced by the results of solute transport simulations. Two of the six acceptable model set-ups matched the shape of the observed breakthrough curve well, indicating that macrodispersion induced by preferential flow was captured well by the topology of the preferential flow network. The configurations of successful model set-ups suggest that preferential flow related to connected vertical and lateral flow paths is a first-order control on the hydrology of the study hillslope, whereas spatial variability of soil depth is secondary especially when lateral flow paths are present. Virtual experiments for investigating hillslope controls on subsurface processes should thus consider the effect of distinctive flow paths within the soil mantle. The explicit representation of flow paths in a hydrological process model was found to be a suitable approach for this purpose.

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