@article{fdi:010060569,
  title = {{A} graphical method to study suspended sediment dynamics during flood events in the {W}adi {S}ebdou, {NW} {A}lgeria (1973-2004)},
  author = {{M}egnounif, {A}. and {T}erfous, {A}. and {O}uillon, {S}ylvain},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}mall sub-basins are numerous in {M}editerranean area and global sedimentary budgets cannot be obtained without a detailed understanding of the hydroclimatic processes that govern sediment fluxes in these small river systems. {I}n this study, the shape of the relationship between sediment concentration ({C}) and water discharge ({Q}) during flood events of a 31-years period (1973-2004) was analyzed at the outlet of the {W}adi {S}ebdou basin (256 km(2)) in northwest {A}lgeria, using a new graphical analysis method based on features of hysteresis loops. {E}ach flood was decomposed as successive stages - each of which being characterized by a sediment rating curve - and used to quantify the contribution of diverse sediment sources within the basin. {S}even common classes of hydrological events (single valued and six hysteresis loops: clockwise, counter-clockwise, eight-shaped, single valued plus one loop, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, and single valued plus at least two loops) were explored. {S}ediment supply from locally derived sources (or "base load") was high and reached 77% of total sediment yield for the study period, and was attributed to weathering of bed material or gullies. {T}he remainder portion was derived from hill-slopes, re-suspension of fresh fine deposits in the river bed, or bank collapse. {T}he ratio of suspended sediment load derived from active sediment source varies considerably from one flood to another depending on many factors, such as seasonality and antecedent type of flood. {T}he simpler floods were the most frequent ones but produced less sediment. {T}he most frequent floods were clockwise or anticlockwise (52% of floods) but brought only 34% of the total sediment flux. {T}he 18% of the most complex floods (single valued plus at least two loops) produced more than 53% of the sediments, mainly supplied by base load (84%). {I}ntra-annual variability was very high. {O}ver 31-years, the five biggest floods cumulated 64% of the total sediment flux and were of three classes, the most complex floods being dominant. {T}he largest contribution occurred during one single 33-days long hydrological event with complex form which represented 26% of the total sediment flux. {A}part from the five biggest flood events, the base load represented 53%. {T}he biggest floods favour base load as compared to the smallest ones.},
  keywords = {{H}ysteresis ; {S}uspended sediment concentration ; {S}emiarid watershed ; {F}lood ; {W}adi ; {A}lgeria ; {ALGERIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {H}ydrology},
  volume = {497},
  numero = {},
  pages = {24--36},
  ISSN = {0022-1694},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.05.029},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060569},
}