Q-SSC Behavior During Floods in the Isser Watershed, (North-West of Algeria).

The study aims to establish a graphical relationship between sediment concentration (C) and water discharge (Q) during flood events in the Isser catchment. Hysteresis, indicating a time lag between discharge flow (Q) and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) curves, varies based on sediment availability, event magnitude, and sequence. Based on the 2026 data pairs of water discharge and suspended sediment concentration (Q-SSC), we have selected 22 flood events. The most frequent hysteresis loops were complex (10 loops), with 08 clockwise loops, 02 figure-eight loops, and 02 anti-clockwise loops. Complex hysteresis loops accounted for 63% of solid loads and 37% of water discharge loads, while 50% of total water yield and 23% of total sediment yield were associated with clockwise loops. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that water discharge load, mean concentration, maximum concentration, and concentration at the flow discharge peak are key variables influencing hysteresis patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]