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In order to evaluate the proportion of old and new water in drainage runoff, we recorded air temperature, drainage discharge, drainage runoff temperature, soil temperature, precipitation totals, and temperature. The results of separation by temperature were compared with the results of chemical separation using the stable isotopes δ 18O and δ 2H measured in causal precipitation and monitored in drainage runoff. Separation was determined based on precipitation temperature in 18 rainfall–runoff events and on soil temperature in 20 rainfall–runoff events, with no significant difference between results of separation of drainage runoff based on temperature and that based on isotopes. Separation of runoff based on temperature is feasible only for simple isolated rainfall–runoff events as opposed to those involving multiple rainfalls. Time to peak discharge was identified as a viable factor to determine whether to employ separation based on soil temperature or on precipitation temperature. Time to peak discharge showed a strong correlation with the intensity of precipitation. The results suggest that, conditional on analysis of a larger dataset, isotope separation of drainage runoff and, possibly, runoff in watercourses may potentially be replaced with more economical and technically simple measurement of soil and precipitation/air temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface water quality can vary a lot with fluctuating discharge during a Rainfall - runoff event. This paper uses a set of hydrological and hydrochemical variables to explain concentration-discharge loops and hysteresis of ${\rm NO}_{3}^{- } $, ${\rm NH}_{4}^{ + } $ and total suspended solids in a brook dewatering a small upland agricultural catchment in the Czech Republic. Our study is based on data collected by a continuous monitoring approach provided by an automatic ISCO sampler both from snow thawing and rainfall - runoff events. Methods of correlation, regression and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to reveal possible relationships among the variables. For ${\rm NO}_{3}^{- } $ and ${\rm NH}_{4}^{ + } $, we found several types of concentration-discharge loops due to the loop rotation direction and also the loop curvature shape, in mutual combinations, no matter which type of a hydrological event it was related to. PCA indicated that ${\rm NO}_{3}^{- } $ loops correlated mostly with the length of a rising hydrograph limb and with the slope of the initial phase of a falling hydrograph limb, 5-day amount of precipitation and runoff coefficient. In case of ${\rm NH}_{4}^{ + } $, the concentrations usually increased with elevated discharge, whereas PCA did not detect any closer linkages. For suspended solids, an unambiguous positive monotonic relationship was discovered. Although no definite pattern was found, this study showed the necessity of a continuous water quality monitoring system as an approach for capturing and understanding relationships between solute concentrations and runoff formation for tracing and modelling catchment pollution sources and describing transport processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogeology, runoff generation and water quality generation in old peneplains of Central Europe built by acid crystalline rocks (such as the Bohemo-Moravian Highland) are described and interpreted in terms of a three-zone concept. The recharge zones are located on flat tops of hills and their soils are mostly permeable. It is mainly through them that the shallow groundwater-bearing formations are loaded with nitrate. The groundwater exfiltrates on the lower parts of slopes (in the so-called transient zone) and in narrow valleys (in the discharge zone), creating dispersed springs and waterlogged areas. In addition, the rapid and shallow flow of perched groundwater down the slope, which takes place during wet periods in the recharge zone and, mainly, in the transient zone, leaches the nitrate from the soil directly to the stream, without necessarily being in contact with the permanent groundwater table of the recharge and the transient zones.Discharge and water quality measurements in the Kopaninský tok experimental catchment (6.7 km2) were analysed, using a combination of two runoff separation techniques (a digital filter and a simple conceptual model GROUND). Three runoff components were distinguished (direct runoff, interflow and baseflow). There is a weak but significant positive correlation between the stream nitrate concentration on the one hand and either the interflow or the baseflow on the other hand. There is also a weak but significant negative correlation between the stream nitrate concentration on the one hand and either the ratio of direct runoff to total stream flow or the logarithm of this ratio on the other hand, provided that the cases of zero direct runoff are disregarded. A simple mixing model was used to estimate the characteristic nitrate concentrations of individual runoff components. The interflow has the highest characteristic nitrate concentration and is probably the main stream water polluter with nitrate. The baseflow is identified as the likely second main polluter.The differences in water quality between a drainage outlet and a forest spring indicate the importance of a proper nitrogen management in the recharge zones. It is also concluded that the tile drainage and tillage of formerly waterlogged sites, mainly located in transient zones, reduce the opportunity for denitrification of both baseflow and interflow. The ploughed lands in the recharge zones represent an established basis for local agriculture and cannot be easily set aside. Many such lands have been declared as vulnerable to nitrate pollution in order to protect waters against impacts of risky agricultural practices. It is proposed that some waterlogged and drained sites in the transient and discharge zones are set aside rather than the flat ploughed lands on the hill tops. To increase the denitrification, tile drainage runoff from the transient and the discharge zones should be retarded. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]