Investigations were done on two former open-cast lignite mining sites under reclamation, an artificial sand dune in Welzow Süd, and a forest plantation in Schlabendorf Süd (Brandenburg, Germany). The aim was to associate the topsoil hydrological characteristics of green algae dominated as well as moss and soil lichen dominated biological soil crusts during crustal succession with their water retention and the repellency index on sandy soils under temperate climate and different reliefs. The investigation of the repellency index showed on the one hand an increase due to the cross-linking of sand particles by green algae which resulted in clogging of pores. On the other hand, the occurrence of moss plants led to a decrease of the repellency index due to absorption caused by bryophytes. The determination of the water retention curves showed an increase of the water holding capacity, especially in conjunction with the growth of green algae layer. The pore-related van Genuchten parameter indicate a clay-like behaviour of the developed soil crusts. Because of the inhomogeneous distribution of lichens and mosses as well as the varying thickness of green algae layers, the water retention differed between the study sites and between samples of similar developmental stages. However, similar tendencies of water retention and water repellency related to the soil crust formation were observed. Biological soil crusts should be considered after disturbances in the context of reclamation measures, because the initial development of green algae biocrusts lead to an increasing repellency index, while the occurrence of mosses and a gain in organic matter enhance the water holding capacity. Thus, the succession of biocrusts and their small-scale succession promote the development of soil and ecosystem.
Transient infiltration into a swelling, cracked fine-textured soil was calculated using the originally designed FRACTURE submodel (version B) of the HYDRUS-ET simulation model. The model permits changes in the dimensions of the cracks during the infiltration process. Modeling results obtained with the new model were compared with those from FRACTURE submodel (version A) assuming a stable crack system. It is shown that deforming cracks lead to higher rates of infiltration during precipitation events as compared with stable cracks. A difference of about 20 percent was estimated in our illustrative example. and Práca obsahuje výsledky matematického modelovania infiltrácie vody do pôdy s puklinami, meniacimi svoje rozmery pocas procesu, (verzia B) v závislosti na vlhkosti pôdy, ktoré sú porovnané s výsledkami, získanými pomocou modelu s konštantnými rozmermi puklín (verzia A) pocas infiltrácie zrážok. Submodel FRACTURE - verzia B, ktorá kvantifikuje infiltráciu vody do pôdy s deformujúcimi sa puklinami je súcastou modelu HYDRUS–ET. Porovnanie výsledkov modelovania pomocou oboch submodelov ukázalo, že pocas zrážkovej udalosti v tomto ilustratívnom príklade rýchlost infiltrácie do pôdy s deformujúcimi sa puklinami je asi o 20 % väcšia ako do pôdy so stabilnými puklinami. Treba poznamenat, že meranie charakteristík infiltrácie vody do pôdy s puklinami a súcasné meranie deformácií siete puklín nie je v prírode prakticky možné, preto matematické modely môžu byt použité aj ako nástroje vedeckého výskumu v numerických experimentoch.
In this study, the quality of the aquatic habitats of mountain and piedmont streams was evaluated using the ‘Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM)’ decision-making tool. The quality of habitats was interpreted from the behaviour of bioindicators in the form of habitat suitability curves (HSCs). From 1995 until the present, 59 different reaches of 43 mountain streams in Slovakia and 3 validation reaches were evaluated, and the results analysed. The aim of this study was to generalize the parameters of the HSCs for the brown trout. The generalized curves will be useful for water management planning. It is difficult and time-consuming to take hydrometrical and ichthyological measurements at different water levels. Therefore, we developed a methodology for modifying suitability curves based on an ichthyological survey during a low flow and a flow at which fish lose the ability to resist the flow velocity. The study provides the information how such curves can be modified for a wider flow range. In summary, this study shows that generalized HSCs provide representative data that can be used to support both the design of river restoration and the assessment of the impacts of the water use or of climate change on stream habitat quality.
This research was focused on the relationship between river discharge and organism drift. It was carried out for three years in a small heavily modified river in Saxony (Germany). The amount and species composition of drifting invertebrates were observed, depending on discharge and flow velocity. A station was installed where the flow velocity was continually measured and drifting organisms were caught with nets. An inventory of the aquatic community (benthic invertebrates) was taken to determine the species living in the river at the research station. The highest drift density measured was 578 organisms per m3 at a flow velocity of 0.90 m s-1 , the mainly drifting organisms were Chironomidae. Different organisms groups started drifting at different flow velocities. Heavy impacts, such as dredging the river and flood waves, affected the aquatic ecosystems and severely changed the aquatic community regarding the number and the diversity. Some of the aquatic invertebrates such as the Anthothecata completely disappeared after dredging. It was found that many different terrestrial organisms were part of the drift. The typical family of soil biota Collembola represented the largest share.
Hydrological models are widely used tools to solve a broad range of hydrological issues. Each model has its own structure defining inter-relationships of hydrological balance components, and comparative differences in the models’ inner structure must be taken into account when discrepancies result from the same data. Results of base flow simulation by three different models BILAN, FRIER and HBV-light were compared based on knowledge of the models’ internal structure. It was proven that the courses of modelled parameters are quite similar, but that the respective values differ. The highest base flow values were simulated by the BILAN model, due to the threshold value of the soil moisture storage incorporated within this model’s structure. The lowest values were obtained by HBV-light model. Simulated base flow values were compared with groundwater heads and minimum monthly discharges. This comparison showed that the base flow values in the Nitra catchment at Nedožery profile simulated by BILAN and FRIER models are closer to the reality than those, simulated by HBV-light model. and Hydrologické modely sú nástrojmi, často využívanými pri riešení širokého spektra hydrologických problémov. Každý z modelov má svoju vlastnú štruktúru, definujúcu vzájomné vzťahy prvkov hydrologickej bilancie. Preto musí byť pri posudzovaní rozdielnych výsledkov získaných použitím tých istých vstupných dát brané do úvahy porovnanie rozdielov vo vnútornej štruktúre modelov. V príspevku boli porovnávané výsledky simulácie podzemného odtoku tromi rozličnými modelmi BILAN, FRIER a HBV-light, berúc do úvahy znalosti o vnútornej štruktúre jednotlivých modelov. Bolo dokumentované, že priebehy modelovaných parametrov sú veľmi podobné, no získané hodnoty sa líšia. Najvyššie hodnoty podzemného odtoku boli simulované modelom BILAN, v dôsledku faktu, že v modeli je zabudovaná pevná limitná hodnota pre veľkosť zásoby vody v pôde. Najnižšie hodnoty podzemného odtoku boli získané modelom HBV-light. Simulované hodnoty podzemného odtoku boli porovnané s priebehom úrovne hladiny podzemnej vody a s minimálnymi mesačnými prietokmi. Toto porovnanie ukázalo, že hodnoty podzemného odtoku v povodí Nitry po profil Nedožery simulované modelmi BILAN a FRIER sú bližšie k reálnemu stavu než hodnoty simulované modelom HBV-light.
Large-scale forest dieback was reported in recent decades in many parts of the world. In Slovakia, the most endangered species is Norway spruce (Picea Abies). Spruce dieback affects also indigenous mountain forests. We analysed changes in snow cover characteristics in the disturbed spruce forest representing the tree line zone (1420 m a.s.l.) in the Western Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, in five winter seasons 2013–2017. Snow depth, density and water equivalent (SWE) were measured biweekly (10–12 times per winter) at four sites representing the living forest (Living), disturbed forest with dead trees (Dead), forest opening (Open) and large open area outside the forest (Meadow). The data confirmed statistically significant differences in snow depth between the living and disturbed forest. These differences increased since the third winter after forest dieback. The differences in snow density between the disturbed and living forest were in most cases not significant. Variability of snow density expressed by coefficient of variation was approximately half that of the snow depth. Forest dieback resulted in a significant increase (about 25%) of the water amount stored in the snow while the snowmelt characteristics (snowmelt beginning and time of snow disappearance) did not change much. Average SWE calculated for all measurements conducted during five winters increased in the sequence Living < Dead < Meadow < Open. SWE variability expressed by the coefficient of variation increased in the opposite order.
Lowered stability of soil aggregates governed by insufficient organic matter levels has become a major concern in Sri Lanka. Although the use of organic manure with water repellent properties lowers the wetting rates and improves the stability of soil aggregates, its effects on soil hydrophysical properties are still not characterized. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the relation of water repellency induced by organic manure amendments to the water entry value and water retention of a Sri Lankan Ultisol. The soil was mixed with ground powders of cattle manure (CM), goat manure (GM), Gliricidia maculata (GL) and hydrophobic Casuarina equisetifolia (CE) leaves to obtain samples ranging from non-repellent to extremely water repellent, in two series. Series I was prepared by mixing GL and CE with soil (5, 10, 25, 50%). Series II consisted of 5% CM, GM, and GL, with (set A) and without (set B) intermixed 2% CE. Water repellency, water entry value, and water retention of samples were determined in the laboratory. Soilwater contact angle increased with increasing organic matter content in all the samples showing positive linear correlations. Although the samples amended with CE showed high soil-water contact angles in series I, set A (without 2% CE) and set B (with 2% CE) in series II did not show a noticeable difference, where >80% of the samples had soilwater contact angles <90°. Water entry value (R2 = 0.83-0.92) and the water retention at 150 cm suction (R2 = 0.69-0.8) of all the samples increased with increasing soil-water contact angles showing moderate to strong positive linear correlations. However, set A (without 2% CE) and set B (with 2% CE) in series II did not differ noticeably. Water entry value of about 60% the samples was <2.5 cm. Mixing of a small amount (2%) of hydrophobic organic matter with commonly used organic manures slightly increased the water repellency of sample soils, however not up to detrimental levels. It did not generate adverse effects on water entry and increased the water retention. It was clear that intermixing of small quantities of hydrophobic organic manure with organic manures commonly used in Sri Lankan agriculture, would not generate unfavorable impacts on soils.
The aim of this paper is to define the correlation between the geometry of grains and saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils. The particle shape characteristics were described by the ζ0C index (Parylak, 2000), which expresses the variability of several shape properties, such as sphericity, angularity and roughness.
The analysis was performed on samples of four soils, which were characterised by the same grain size distribution and extremely different particle structure. The shape characteristics varied from ideally spherical, smooth grains (glass microbeads
GM) to highly irregular and rough particles (fly ash FA).
For each soil, laboratory tests of saturated hydraulic conductivity (constant head test CHT and falling head test FHT) were performed. Additionally, an empirical analysis of effective pore diameter was conducted with use of the analytical models developed by Pavchich (Wolski, 1987) and Indraratna and Vafai (1997). The models were modified by introducing the ζ0C index.
Experiments have shown that saturated hydraulic conductivity depends on grains shape and surface roughness. This parameter decreases with the increase in the irregularity of soil particles. Moreover, it was proven that the ζ0C reflects the relationship between effective pore diameter and grain shape characteristics.
The spatial and temporal patterns of surface water (SW) - groundwater (GW) exchange are significantly affected by riverbed silting, clogging or erosion processes, by altering the thickness and hydraulic conductivity of riverbed sediments. The duration of SW-GW exchange is controlled by the drainage and infiltration resistance of river bottom sediments (e.g. Andrássy et al., 2012). Generally, these two parameters primarily depend on the hydraulic conductivity and on the thickness of clogged layer. In this study the flow processes between GW and SW were modeled by model TRIWACO for different infiltration resistance and drainage resistance of riverbed sediments. The model area is situated on the Rye Island, which is a lowland area with very low slope. In this area a channel network was built up, where the flow conditions are controlled by water-gates. Because of the low slope and the system of water gates built on the channels, the riverbeds are influenced by intensive clogging processes. First, the applicability of model TRIWACO in the study area was tested by modelling the response of GW on SW level fluctuation. It was simulated, how the regulation of water level and flow direction in the channels influence the GW level, especially in extreme hydrological conditions (drought/flood), and if the GW flow direction and GW level change as it was expected. Next, the influence of channel network silting up on GW-SW interaction was modeled. The thickness of riverbed sediments was measured and their hydraulic conductivity from disturbed sediment samples was evaluated. The assessed hydraulic conductivity was used to calculate the infiltration resistance and the drainage resistance of riverbed sediments in the study area. Then, the GW level and flow direction was simulated for different infiltration resistance and drainage resistance of sediments.
This paper deals with optimisation and acceleration of the clarification process. It was established that both these objectives are closely inter-related and can be accomplished by the formation of aggregates with a high agitation intensity until the flocculation optimum is reached. This is a new method of formation of aggregates which is called the Inline High Density Suspension (IHDS) formation process. Further, under the IHDS process the aggregates are formed with a single root-mean-square velocity gradient G valu e fl >> 50 s-1. It was also established that the process of formation of aggregates (expressed by residual e of the observed determinant) passes through a minimum. This minimum is considered to be th occulation optimum. Furthermore, the agitation intensity (G ) was found to be the inherent means influencing compactness and thereby density of the aggregates formed. This proves the vital role of agitation intensity on the morphological and physical properties of aggregates formed. The resultant aggregates formed by the IHDS process are very compact, dense and homogeneous in their size, shape, volume and inner structure. Last but not least, the IHDS process applied to the HR-CSAV type sludge blanket clarifier facilitated its high attainable upflow velocity above of 25 m h-1. and Článek se zabývá optimalizací a zrychlením čiřícího procesu. Bylo zjištěno, že oba tyto cíle spolu úzce souvisí a může jich být dosaženo tvorbou agregátů probíhající s vysokou intenzitou míchání pomocí procesu Inline High Density Suspension (IHDS). Za podmínek metody IHDS probíhá tvorba agregátů při vysokých rychlostních gradientech G proc , že in >> 50 s-1, a to až do ukončení jejich tvorby ve flokulačním optimu. Bylo prokázáno, že tvorba agregátů hází minimem, které je možné považovat za flokulační (agregační) optimum. Dále bylo zjištěno tenzita míchání (G ) je přirozeným prostředkem ovlivňujícím kompaktnost a tím rovněž hustotu vytvořených agregátů. Výsledné agregáty vytvořené IHDS procesem jsou velmi kompaktní, husté s homogenní velikostní distribucí, mají pravidelný tvar a uspořádanou vnitřní strukturu. Aplikace IHDS procesu v HR-ČSAV čiřičích umožňuje jejich provoz při vzestupné rychlosti přesahující 25 m h-1 a celkové době zdržení necelých 12 minut.