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The Use of Geochemical Mixing Models to Derive Runoff Sources and Hydrologic Flow Paths

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Forest Hydrology and Biogeochemistry

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 216))

Abstract

Mixing models have long been used in catchment studies to partition streamflow runoff into individual source components and characterize hydrologic flow paths (Pinder and Jones 1969; Sklash and Farvolden 1979; Bazemore et al. 1994; Buttle 1994). These models assume that catchment runoff is a mixture of unique runoff sources whose contributions can be determined using tracers that behave conservatively. The key benefit of using these models is that they describe the integrated catchment response as opposed to point-specific information provided by, for example, groundwater wells. These models are especially valuable for understanding watershed behavior when used in conjunction with hydrometric data (Bonell 1998; Buttle 2005). The use of mixing models in catchment hydrology has evolved over time with a focus on different types of runoff components, changes in computational methods, and a greater recognition of the limitations and benefits of these models.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Drs. Douglas Burns, April James, Sheila Christopher, Myron Mitchell and the Editors for their thorough reviews of the manuscript and for providing very constructive suggestions that further strengthened this manuscript. Dr. Rick Hooper is especially thanked for his insights on EMMA through many workshops and short courses and for selflessly sharing his EMMA spreadsheets with interested students and colleagues. The author also recognizes Dr. Mike McHale for his assistance with initial understanding and application of EMMA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioresources Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA

    Shreeram Inamdar

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  1. Shreeram Inamdar
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Correspondence to Shreeram Inamdar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Geography, Center for Climate Research, University of Delaware, Newark, 19716-2541, Delaware, USA

    Delphis F. Levia

  2. , Department of Geography, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, V2C 5N3, British Columbia, Canada

    Darryl Carlyle-Moses

  3. , Department of International Affairs, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan

    Tadashi Tanaka

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Inamdar, S. (2011). The Use of Geochemical Mixing Models to Derive Runoff Sources and Hydrologic Flow Paths. In: Levia, D., Carlyle-Moses, D., Tanaka, T. (eds) Forest Hydrology and Biogeochemistry. Ecological Studies, vol 216. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1363-5_8

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