Interaction between runoff – bedrock groundwater in a steep headwater catchment underlain by sedimentary bedrock fractured by gravitational deformation

Abstract

Abstract Recent studies have suggested the importance of the bedrock groundwater (BG) contribution in storm runoff in headwater catchments. However, few such studies have been conducted, and the study of different types of bedrock conditions is still ongoing. The role of BG in storm runoff is still poorly understood, particularly in headwater catchments underlain by relatively deep fractured bedrock. This study aims to clarify this role using hydrometric and hydrochemical observations of BG via boreholes and catchment discharge. The responses of the BG to rainfall are demonstrated to be fast and independent of the sediment cover. The BG exhibits different responses and flow paths that are largely controlled by the bedrock fracture system. The storm runoff in the studied catchment is characterized by rapid discharge response generally followed by a delayed discharge response. The peak of the delayed discharge is much faster than that observed in previous studies, and it is well correlated with the BG levels. A hydrograph separation was performed for two storm events using three end members: rainfall, shallow BG and deep BG. The results demonstrate that the delayed discharge is primarily composed of deep BG. Moreover, a significant contribution of shallow BG is observed during large precipitation events. Although we observed no physical evidence of direct contributions of BG in the catchment, the calculations presented in this study demonstrate that the BG controls the hydrological and hydrogeological response of the catchment to rainfall events. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.