Runoff and sediment yield from a small watershed in southeastern Spain (Lanjaron): implications for water quality

This study presents an analysis of three hydrological years (2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10) of precipitation, runoff and sediment yield collected from a small (669.7 ha) semi-arid watershed in southeastern Spain (Lanjaron). At the watershed outlet the runoff, suspended sediment concentration, total solute concentrations and dissolved nutrients (N-NO3, N-NH4, H2PO4 and K) in streamflow were continuously monitored. The runoff was highly variable, ranging between 53.4 and 154.7 mm year(-1), with an average of 97.6 mm year(-1). In contrast, sediment yields were more regular, averaging 1.8 Mg ha(-1) year(-1). The hydrological response of the watershed depended mainly on rainfall intensity. Formerly, 32% of the watershed was forested and runoff was more regular, despite the typical Mediterranean rainfall cycle; however, due to forest area reduction to 17% and the increase in abandoned farmland area (18%) in recent decades, the runoff variability has increased. Greater amounts of solutes (32.7 Mg ha(-1) year(-1)) were exported, so that this water is considered as poor for irrigation use. The temporal nutrient export was related to seasonal discharge fluctuations as well as daily concentrations. In addition, the nutrient concentrations of the water discharged were lower than threshold limits cited in water-quality standards for agricultural use and for potable water, with the exception of K (65.9 mg L-1), which may degrade surface waters as well as irrigated soils. Thus, hydrological and erosive processes depended on the watershed features, but also on prior conditions in combination with the characteristics of rainfall episodes.