Hydrogeochemistry approach to the identification of flow components under the descending limb conditions of a hydrograph (Corbeira stream, Spain)

This paper presents a method based on hydrogeochemical signatures for the identification of flow components, from the descending limb to the baseflow, without the direct support of hydrographs. The proposed model was built using chemical analysis of waters from a small agro-forestry catchment having a temperate climate. The sampling was performed every 15 days at the Corbeira stream outlet, from 2004 to 2008. A statistical approach was used with particulate P/dissolved P (PP/DP) values, resulting in a global histogram, within which mini-Gaussian distributions were highlighted. The mean of each group of highlighted PP/DP values, as well as all other selected analytical parameters, were calculated and plotted in Cartesian diagrams. The results showed the hydrogeochemical signatures of the Corbeira stream in the descending limb to baseflow conditions. Scatterplots of the migration of particulate matter showed linear regressions forming α ≠ 0 to the X-axis, while dissolved compounds showed parallel linearity (α = 0) in relation to the same axis. Deflections in the linear behavior point to significant changes in the chemical concentrations from different types of aqueous inputs. Flow components in the descending limb show distinct ranges along the X-axis: the mean PP/DP values. The ranges varying from 3.3 to 2.0 correspond to its upper phases from 2.0 to 0.9 suggests mixtures between inflows and from 0.9 to 0.3 denote subsurface flow dominance. Finally, PP/DP < 0.3 indicates exclusive baseflow conditions. These intervals are specific to the Corbeira catchment as a consequence of its geographical characteristics and should be numerically different from the proposed method if applied to other catchments. However, this method remains valid for application in other small catchments as the PP/DP ranges in the descending limb are defined by the relative behavior between the linear correlations from the hydrogeochemical concentrations plotted in a Cartesian diagram.