Flow and tracer data for overland flow and topsoil interflow during rainfall simulation experiments in the Studibach catchment - Alptal - Switzerland

Description

Description: This dataset comprises the time series of overland flow (OF) and topsoil interflow (TIF) discharge, and tracer concentrations during artificial rainfall simulation experiments at two large (>80 m2) trenched runoff plots in the Studibach catchment in the Alptal, a typical pre-Alpine headwater catchment in Switzerland. One plot is located in a natural clearing in an open mixed forest and the other in a grassland. Together, they represent the dominant land cover types in the region. We applied streamwater to the surface of the plots using sprinklers and added tracers after OF and TIF had reached steady state. Deuterium enriched water was applied to the surface of the plots via the sprinklers, while Uranine and NaCl were applied as a line tracer at multiple distances from the trench. NaBr was injected into the topsoil at ~20 cm depth. Samples of overland flow and topsoil interflow were collected for several hours after tracer application, while the sprinklers continued to apply water to the surface. The runoff was collected into self-made "Upwelling Bernoulli Tubes" and the water level inside these tubes was measured using pressure sensors (DCX-22-CTD, Keller Druck, Switzerland) at a 1-min resolution during the day and 5-min resolution during the night. Uranine concentrations and electrical conductivity (EC) were recorded at a 1-minute interval. Samples for deuterium and Bromide were analysed in the lab. The celerity of overland flow and topsoil interflow was determined during another experiment by temporarily adding more water to the surface of the plots at different distances from the trench after steady state conditions had been reached. The overland flow and topsoil interflow discharge were again measured using the Upwelling Bernoulli Tubes and pressure transducers.