Mountainous catchments in the European Alps are increasingly affected by shallow erosion processes. This study aims to: i) analyze recent morphologi-cal changes and quantify mass of soil removed from an experimental hillslope in the Bridge Creek Catchment (BCC) (eastern Italian Alps); and ii) evaluate overland flow (OVF) from eroded hillslopes, and compare it with other water sources using stable isotopes (δ2H and δ18O), electrical conduc-tivity and major ions. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based topographic surveys were conducted to build the Digital Surface Model (1x1 cm resolu-tion) of the eroded hillslopes in BCC (Area 1 and Area 2). The mass of soil removed from the experimental hillslope (Area 1, 910 m2) was quantified using three sediment collectors, each 2 m in length, 0.4 m in depth and 0.4 m in width, installed at the hillslope toe. Sediment data from the field was meas-ured weekly or biweekly from summer to autumn of 2024, depending on rainfall conditions. Multiple water samples from different water bodies (stream water, spring water, shallow groundwater, OVF from the hillslope, rainfall, and saturated riparian zone) were collected between June 2023 and November 2024 for environmental tracer analysis. The total soil loss during the experimental period was estimated as 3.9 tons. The OVF from the eroded hillslope had isotopic signatures similar to recent precipitation events but showed more variability compared to precipitation. The results of this study can help to develop new monitoring systems of soil erosion and guide resto-ration plans in Alpine catchments.
Quantifying soil erosion and tracer-based characterization of overland flow from eroded hillslopes in eastern Italian Alps
Adane G. B.
;Marin E.;Marchina C.;Bettella F.;Martini M.;Tarolli P.;Zuecco G.
2025
Abstract
Mountainous catchments in the European Alps are increasingly affected by shallow erosion processes. This study aims to: i) analyze recent morphologi-cal changes and quantify mass of soil removed from an experimental hillslope in the Bridge Creek Catchment (BCC) (eastern Italian Alps); and ii) evaluate overland flow (OVF) from eroded hillslopes, and compare it with other water sources using stable isotopes (δ2H and δ18O), electrical conduc-tivity and major ions. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based topographic surveys were conducted to build the Digital Surface Model (1x1 cm resolu-tion) of the eroded hillslopes in BCC (Area 1 and Area 2). The mass of soil removed from the experimental hillslope (Area 1, 910 m2) was quantified using three sediment collectors, each 2 m in length, 0.4 m in depth and 0.4 m in width, installed at the hillslope toe. Sediment data from the field was meas-ured weekly or biweekly from summer to autumn of 2024, depending on rainfall conditions. Multiple water samples from different water bodies (stream water, spring water, shallow groundwater, OVF from the hillslope, rainfall, and saturated riparian zone) were collected between June 2023 and November 2024 for environmental tracer analysis. The total soil loss during the experimental period was estimated as 3.9 tons. The OVF from the eroded hillslope had isotopic signatures similar to recent precipitation events but showed more variability compared to precipitation. The results of this study can help to develop new monitoring systems of soil erosion and guide resto-ration plans in Alpine catchments.
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