Article (Scientific journals)
Adapting SWAT hillslope erosion model to predict sediment concentrations and yields in large Basins
Vigiak, O.; Malagó, A.; Bouraoui, F. et al.
2015In Science of the Total Environment, 538, p. 855-875
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Keywords :
Multi-site calibration; MUSLE; Sediment budget; Sediment load; SWAT; Upper Danube; Water erosion; Budget control; Calibration; Erosion; Sediment transport; Sediments; Soils; Water quality; Sediment budgets; Sediment loads; Suspended sediments; Universal Soil Loss Equation; Article; Soil and Water Assessment Tool; Danube Basin; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Geological Processes; Models, Theoretical; Water Pollution
Abstract :
[en] The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is used worldwide for water quality assessment and planning. This paper aimed to assess and adapt SWAT hillslope sediment yield model (Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation, MUSLE) for applications in large basins, i.e. when spatial data is coarse and model units are large; and to develop a robust sediment calibration method for large regions. The Upper Danube Basin (132,000km2) was used as case study representative of large European Basins. The MUSLE was modified to reduce sensitivity of sediment yields to the Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU) size, and to identify appropriate algorithms for estimating hillslope length (L) and slope-length factor (LS). HRUs gross erosion was broadly calibrated against plot data and soil erosion map estimates. Next, mean annual SWAT suspended sediment concentrations (SSC, mg/L) were calibrated and validated against SSC data at 55 gauging stations (622 station-years). SWAT annual specific sediment yields in subbasin reaches (RSSY, t/km2/year) were compared to yields measured at 33 gauging stations (87station-years). The best SWAT configuration combined a MUSLE equation modified by the introduction of a threshold area of 0.01km2 where L and LS were estimated with flow accumulation algorithms. For this configuration, the SSC residual interquartile was less than +/-15mg/L both for the calibration (1995-2004) and the validation (2005-2009) periods. The mean SSC percent bias for 1995-2009 was 24%. RSSY residual interquartile was within +/-10t/km2/year, with a mean RSSY percent bias of 12%. Residuals showed no bias with respect to drainage area, slope, or spatial distribution. The use of multiple data types at multiple sites enabled robust simulation of sediment concentrations and yields of the region. The MUSLE modifications are recommended for use in large basins. Based on SWAT simulations, we present a sediment budget for the Upper Danube Basin. © 2015 The Authors.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Vigiak, O.;  European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Italy
Malagó, A.;  European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Italy
Bouraoui, F.;  European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Italy
Vanmaercke, Matthias ;  Université de Liège > Département de géographie > Géographie physique et du quaternaire
Poesen, J.;  Division of Geography, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan, Heverlee, Belgium
Language :
English
Title :
Adapting SWAT hillslope erosion model to predict sediment concentrations and yields in large Basins
Publication date :
2015
Journal title :
Science of the Total Environment
ISSN :
0048-9697
eISSN :
1879-1026
Publisher :
Elsevier
Volume :
538
Pages :
855-875
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 28 March 2017

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