Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Estimating suspended sediment yield, sedimentation controls and impacts in the Mellah Catchment of Northern Algeria

كلمات المفاتيح الحوض المائي، الحمولة الصلبة العالقة، التعرية، منحنى نسبة الرواسب، تقدير الحمولة الصلبة.

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper is an assessment of the suspended sediment yield in the Mellah Catchment of northern Algeria. We use discharge–sediment load relationships to explore the variability of water discharge and sediment load, and to investigate the impact of geomorphic factors disturbance on erosion and sedimentation. Suspended sediment load was analyzed in the Mellah Catchment (550 km²) which was controlled by a gauging station to measure discharge and sediment transport. The relations between daily mean sediment concentration and daily mean water discharge were analyzed to develop sediment rating curves. For storms with no water samples, a sediment rating curve was developed. The technique involves stratification of data into discharge-based classes, the mean of which are used to fit a rating curve according to single flow data and season to provide various rating relationships. The mean annual sediment yield during the 24 years of the study period was 562 T km−2 in the Mellah Catchment. This drainage basin had high rainfall and runoff, the erosion was high. The high sediment yield in the Mellah basin could be explained by a high percentage of sparse grassland and cultivation developed on shallow marly silty-clayey soils with steep slopes often exceeding 12%. Almost all suspended sediment loads are transported during storm events that mainly occur in the winter and spring heavy and medium downpours. The scarceness of these events leads to a very large interseasonal variability of the wadi sediment fluxes. The negative impacts of this enhanced sediment mobility are directly felt in the western part of the basin which shows many mass movements, bank and gully erosion because cultivated areas are often bared during autumnal brief flash floods and furrowed downslope during the winter season.

Abstract

ملخص يهدف هذا العمل إلى التقدير الكمي للحمولة الصلبة العالقة في الشبكة الهيدروغرافية الخاصة بالحوض المائي ( الملاح) المتواجد في المنطقة الشمالية الجزائرية. لبلوغ هذا الهدف تم إنشاء علاقات إرتباط بين متغيرين : تدفق الماء و وزن الحمولة الصلبة . إضافة إلى هذا تم التحقيق قي تأثير العوامل الجيومرفولوجية على الحث المائي و عملية الترسيب لقد اعتمد تحليل الحمولة الصلبة العالقة في الحوض المــائي المـلاح (550 كم2) على قياس المحطة المتواجدة في عين المكان. حيث تم تسجيل عبر الزمن معطيات التدفق و الحمولة الصلبة الموافقة.إن العلاقات بين المتوسط اليومي لتركيز الحمولة الصلبة و بين المتوسط اليومي للتدفق المائي حللت لتطوير المنحيات النسبية للحمولة الصلبة، أما في حالة العواصف فإن المنحنى النسبي للحمولة الصلبة طور بلا عينات مائية.المتوسط السنوي للحمولة الصلبة خلال 24 سنة من فترة الدراسة كان 562 طن/كلم2. هذا الحوض المائي يتميز بجريان سطحي للمياه مؤديا إلى تعرية عالية. الحمولة الصلبة مرتفعة في حوض الملاح و هذا راجع إلى النسبة العالية للمراعي الغير كثيفة و الأراضي الزراعية الموجودة على تربة مرلية – غربنية طينية مع انحدارات قوية غالبا ما تتجاوز 12%. معظم الحمولة الصلبة العالقة تنتقل خلال العواصف الشتوية و الربيعية المشبعة بالأمطار الكثيفة و المتوسطة. إن تغير شدة الأمطار يؤدي في تغير الحمولة الصلبة للواد. الآثار السلبية لتحرك الحمولة الصلبة تلاحظ مباشرة في الجزء الغربي من الحوض الذي يتميز بالتحركات الكثلية للتربة و تعرية أطراف الواد و الأراضي الزراعية و المنحدرات المحروثة خلال فصل الشتاء.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achite M, Meddi M (2005) Variabilité spatio-temporelle des apports liquides et solide en zone semi-aride. Cas du bassin versant de l’oued Mina (nord-ouest algérien). Rev Sci Eau 18:37–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Achite M, Ouillon S (2007) Suspended sediment transport in a semiarid watershed, Wadi Abd, Algeria (1973–1995). J Hydrol 343:187–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Admasu A (2005) Study of sediment yield from the watershed of Angereb reservoir. Master thesis, Alemaya University, Ethiopia, p 114

  • Albergel J, Nasri S, Boufaroua M, Droubi A, Merzouk A (2004) Petits barrages et lacs collinaires, aménagements originaux de conservation des eaux et de protection des infrastructures aval : exemples des petits barrages en Afrique du Nord et au Proche Orient. Sécheresse 15(1):78–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Arabi M (2006) Aménagement antiérosif sur petits basins versants expérimentaux en milieu semi aride algérien. Z Geomorph 50(2):209–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Arabi M, Kedaid OK, Bourougaa L, Asla T, Roose E (2004) Bilan de l‘enquête sur la défense et restauration des sols (DRS) en Algérie. Sécheresse 15(1):87–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Arabi M, Bourougaa L, Kedaid OK (2007) Intensification de l’agriculture et réduction des risques érosifs en milieu semi aride algérien. Actes des JSIRAUF, Hanoi, p 7

    Google Scholar 

  • Asselman NEM (2000) Fitting and interpretation of sediment rating curves. J Hydrol 234:228–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benkhaled A, Remini B (2003a) Analyse de la relation de puissance: debit solide-débit liquide à l’échelle du basin versant de l’oued Wahrane (Algérie). Rev Sci Eau 16(3):333–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Benkhaled A, Remini B (2003b) Variabilité temporelle de la concentration en sédiments et phénomène d’hystérésis dans le bassin de l’Oued Wahrane (Algérie). Hydrol Sci J 48(2):243–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchetata A, Bouchetata T (2006) Propositions d’aménagement du sous-bassin-versant de l’oued Fergoug (Algérie) fragilisé par des épisodes de sécheresse et soumis à l’érosion hydrique. Sécheresse 17(3):415–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell FB, Bauder HA (1940) A rating curve method for determining silt discharge of streams. Eas Trans AGU 21:603–607

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohn TA, Caulder DL, Gilroy EJ, Zynjuk LD, Summers RM (1992) The validity of a simple statistical model for estimating fluvial constituent loads: an empirical study involving nutrient loads entering Chesapeake Bay. Water Res Res 28(9):2353–2363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins AL, Walling DE, Sichingabula HM, Leeks GJL (2001) Suspended sediment source fingerprinting in a small tropical catchment and some management implications. Appl Geogr 21:387–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demmak A (1982) Contribution à l’étude de l’érosion et des transports solides en Algérie Septentrionale. Thèse de doctorat, Université de Paris 6, France, p 323

  • Duan N (1983) Smearing estimate: a nonparametric retransformation method. J Am Stat Ass 78:605–610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebitari O (2007) Fregene policy and program incentives and the adoption of agroforestry in Missouri. Master of Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, p 95

  • Elbouqdaoui K, Ezzine H, Zahraoui M, Rouchdi M, Badraoui M (2005) Evaluation du risque potentiel d’érosion dans le bassin-versant de l’oued Srou (Moyen Atlas, Maroc). Sécheresse 17(3):425–431

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson RI (1986) River loads underestimated by rating curves. Water Resour Res 22:74–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson RI (1987) Accuracy and precision of methods for estimating river loads. Earth Surf Proc Landf 12:95–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiandino M (2004) Apports de matières en suspension par les fleuves côtiers à l’Etang de Berre (Bouches-du-Rhône, France).—Etudes de géographie physique, suppl. no XXXI. Travaux du BVRE, du Mont—Lazère. UMR6012 «Espace»—équipe G.V. E, Nice

  • Gartet A, Gartet J, Conesa YC (2005) Dégradation spécifique et transports solides dans le bassin de l’oued Lebène (Prérif Central, Maroc septentrional). Papeles Geogr 41–42:85–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Gebremichael D, Nyssen J, Poesen J, Deckers J, Haile M, Govers G, Moeyersons J (2005) Effectiveness of stone bunds in controlling soil erosion on cropland in the Tigray highlands, northern Ethiopia. Soil Use Manage 21(3):287–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghenim A, Seddini A, Terfous A (2008) Variation temporelle de la dégradation spécifique du bassin versant de l’oued Mouillah (nord-ouest Algérien). Hydrol Sci J 53(2):448–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gürer I (2006) Current level of water erosion problem and sediment control measures in Turkey. Balwois 2006, conference on water observation and information system for decision support, May 23–26, Ohnid, Republic of Macedonia

  • Hagmann J (1996) Mechanical soil conservation with contour ridges: cure for or cause of rill erosion? Land Degrad Dev 7:145–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Higgitt DL, Lee M (2001) Geomorphology for the Third Millennium. In: Higgitt DL, Lee M (eds) Geomorphological processes and landscape change. Blackwell, Oxford, UK, pp 269–287

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz AJ (2003) An evaluation of sediment rating curve for estimating suspended sediment concentration for subsequent flux calculations. Hydrol Proc 17:3387–3409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inman DL, Jenkins DL (1999) Climate change and the episodicity of sediment flux of small Californian rivers. J Geol 107:251–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansson MB (1985) A comparison of detransformed logarithmic regressions and power function regressions. Geogr Ann 67A:61–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansson MB (1996) Estimating a sediment rating curve of the Reventazon River at Palomo using logged mean loads within discharge classes. J Hydrol 183:227–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansson MB (1997) Comparison of sediment rating curves developed on load and on Concentration. Nordic Hydrol 28(3):189–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Kao SJ, Lee TY, Milliman JD (2005) Calculating highly fluctuated suspended sediment fluxes from mountainous rivers in Taiwan. TAO 16(3):653–675

    Google Scholar 

  • Khanchoul K (2006) Quantification de l’érosion et des transports solides dans certains basins versants du nord-est algérien. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Geology, University of Annaba, Algeria

  • Khanchoul K, Jansson MB, Lange Y (2007) Suspended sediment yield in two catchments, northeast Algeria. Z Geomorph 51(1):63–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnaswany J, Richter DD, Halpin PN, Hofmockel MS (2001) Spatial patterns of suspended sediment yields in a humid tropical watershed in Costa Rica. Hydrol Proc 15:2237–2257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laouina A, Coelho C, Ritsema C, Chaker M, Nafaa R, Fenjiro I, Antari M, Ferreira A, Van Dijck S (2004) Dynamique de l‘eau et gestion des terres dans le contexte du changement global, dans le bassin du Bouregreg (Maroc). Sécheresse 15(1):65–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenberg E (2000) Harmonizing agricultural and environmental policies. Taiwanese Agr Econ Rev 5:133

    Google Scholar 

  • Meddi M (1999) Etude du transport solide dans le bassin versant de l’oued Ebda (Algérie). Z Geomorph NF 43(2):167–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Megnounif A, Terfous A, Bouanani A (2003) Production et transport des matières solides en suspension dans le bassin versant de la haute-Tafna (Nord-Ouest Algérien). Rev Sci Eau 16(3):369–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller DM (1984) Reducing transformation bias in curve fitting. Am Stat 38(2):124–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan RPC, Davidson DA (1986) Soil erosion and conservation. Longman, UK, p 297

    Google Scholar 

  • Őturk F, Apaydin H, Walling DE (2001) Suspended sediment loads through flood events for streams of Sakarya River Basin. Turk J Eng Env Sci 25:643–650

    Google Scholar 

  • Pannell DJ (1999) Social and economic challenges in the development of complex farming systems. Agroforest Syst 45:393–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philips JM, Webb BW, Waling DE, Leeks GJL (1999) Estimating the suspended sediment loads of rivers in the LOIS study area using infrequent samples. Hydrol Proc 13:1035–1050

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel D (1993) World soil erosion and conservation. Cambridge Applied Ecology and Resource Management, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Probst JL, Amiotte-Suchet PA (1992) Fluvial suspended sediment transport and mechanical erosion in the Maghreb (North Africa). Hydrol Sci J 37(6):621–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Project WPM (2001) Projet pilote de développement agricole intégré en zones de montagnes B.V. Dou-Tama amont du barrage Abdelmoumen: rapport prospection des sites pour un Projet de contrôle de l’érosion des sols dans le Sous Massa. Rapport de Prospection, Secrétariat d’Etat Chargé de l’Environnement, Maroc, Chemonics International Inc.

  • Remini B, Hallouche W (2004) Le dragage des retenues de barrages: quelques exemples algériens. Houille Blanche 5:95–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roose E (1994) Introduction à la gestion conservatoire de l’eau, de la biomasse et de la fertilité des sols (GCES). Bulletin pédologique de la FAO 70

  • Small IF, Rowan JS, Duck RW (2003) Long-term sediment yield in Crombie Reservoir catchment, Angus; and its regional significance within the Midland Valley of Scotland. Hydrol Sci J 48(4):619–635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snoussi M, Jouanneau JM, Latouche C (1990) Flux de matières issues de bassins versants de zones semi-arides (Bassins du Sebou et du Souss, Maroc). Importance dans le bilan global des apports d’origine continentale parvenant à l’océan mondial. J Afric Earth Sci 11:43–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soutar RG (1989) Afforestation and sediment yields in British fresh waters. Soil Use Manage 5:82–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sui J, He Y, Karney BW (2008) Flow and high sediment yield from the Huangfuchuan watershed. Int J Environ Sci Tech 5(2):149–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Syvitski JPM, Morehead MD (1999) Estimating river—sediment discharge to the ocean: application to the Eel Margin, northern California. Mar Geol 154:13–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Syvitski JPM, Morehead MD, Bahr DB, Mulder T (2000) Estimating fluvial sediment transport: the rating parameters. Water Resour Res 36:2747–2760

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walling DE (1977) Assessing the accuracy of suspended sediment rating curves for a small basin. Water Resour Res 13(3):531–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walling DE (1978) Suspended sediment and solute response characteristics of the river Exe, Devon, England. In: Davidson-Arnott R, Nickling W (eds) Research in fluvial systems. Geoabstracts, Norwich, UK, pp 169–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang Z (1999) Review of study on soil erosion of sloping cultivated land and its sustainable use in the northeast mountain region of Yunnan Province of the Upper Yangtze River. J Mt Sci 17(Suppl.):1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang Z (2004) Soil erosion under different land use types and zones of Jinsha river basin in Yunnan Province, China. J Mt Sci 1(1):46–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zao BL (1984) Obvious effects of closing hillside for vegetative recovery in Baisongling Mountain in Quingyang County, Henan Province. Soil and Wat Conserv China 24:42–43. in Chinese with English summary

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Badji Mokhtar University-Annaba, Annaba, Algeria

    Kamel Khanchoul & Fella Assassi

  2. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Robert Altschul

Authors
  1. Kamel Khanchoul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert Altschul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fella Assassi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamel Khanchoul.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Khanchoul, K., Altschul, R. & Assassi, F. Estimating suspended sediment yield, sedimentation controls and impacts in the Mellah Catchment of Northern Algeria. Arab J Geosci 2, 257–271 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-009-0040-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-009-0040-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation