Key processes influencing erosion and sediment transport in a semi-arid Mediterranean area : the Upper Tafna catchment, Algeria

Relationships between discharge and suspended sediment loads at both seasonal and event scales in the Maghreb are examined. The mechanisms of erosion operate locally and are mainly significant on the steep slopes where the soil is thin. The collapsing of stream banks is frequent and provides a signi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrological sciences journal 2007-12, Vol.52 (6), p.1271-1284
Main Authors: MEGNOUNIF, Abdesselam, TERFOUS, Abdelali, GHENAIM, Abdellah, POULET, Jean-Bernard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Hydrology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Marine and continental quaternary
Surficial geology
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Summary:Relationships between discharge and suspended sediment loads at both seasonal and event scales in the Maghreb are examined. The mechanisms of erosion operate locally and are mainly significant on the steep slopes where the soil is thin. The collapsing of stream banks is frequent and provides a significant source of sediments. These mechanisms generate large amounts of suspended sediment load, which are similar to the higher sediment fluxes caused by the heavy rains of autumn. The poor vegetation and the low soil moisture explain the highest sediment fluxes observed in autumn. It is concluded that the high moisture and collapse of the stream banks are responsible for the large amounts of sediment produced at the end of the wet period.
ISSN:0262-6667
2150-3435
DOI:10.1623/hysj.52.6.1271