1st Edition

Hydrology A Science of Nature

Edited By Andre Musy, Christophe Higy Copyright 2011
    356 Pages 3 Color & 167 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Looking beyond a purely scientific discussion of hydrology, the authors of this volume emphasize that mankind needs to recognize the urgency of the situation in which our water is threatened. Providing a comprehensive overview of the broad and complex field of hydrology, the book explores the water cycle, its various components, and its interactions with the environment in which it develops and interacts. Through this work, the authors endeavor to contribute to the sustainable development of our society and our environment.

    General Introduction

    Historical approach

    The modern concept of water

    Organizations involved with water

    Legal aspects: the case of Switzerland

    Objectives and organization of this book

    The Hydrological Cycle and the Water Balance

    Introduction

    Water, the element

    Detailed analysis

    The distribution of water

    Related cycles

    Conclusions

    The Watershed and its Characteristics

    Definitions

    Topographic watershed and effective watershed

    Hydrological behaviour

    Physiographic characteristics of a watershed

    Agro-pedo-geological characteristics

    Digital information and numerical models

    Conclusions

    Precipitation

    Basic definitions

    Classification of clouds

    Mechanisms of precipitation formation

    Precipitation regimes

    Measuring precipitation

    Observation networks and publication of data

    Analysis of point measurements

    Regional evaluation of precipitation

    Conclusions

    Evaporation and Interception

    Introduction

    Evaporation

    Evapotranspiration from soil covered by vegetation

    Interception

    Conclusions

    Flows and Infiltration

    Introduction

    Infiltration

    Flows

    The concept of sediment transport

    Conclusions

    Water Storage and Reserves

    Introduction

    Surface water storage

    Groundwater storage

    Storage of water in its solid form

    Conclusions

    Hydrological Measurement

    Measuring precipitation

    Errors of measurement

    Measuring evaporation, transpiration and evapotranspiration

    Measuring flow

    Measuring sediment transport in rivers

    Measuring sediment transport in suspension

    Measuring infiltration

    Measuring soil moisture

    Conclusions

    Data Handling and Organization

    Data organization

    Error identification and measurement correction

    Introduction to statistical tests

    Conclusions

    Hydrological Regimes

    Introduction

    Simple regime

    Mixed regime

    Complex regime

    Hydrological regimes in Switzerland

    Conclusions

    Hydrological Processes and Responses

    Introduction

    General information

    Direct precipitation on the surface of a waterway

    Groundwater flow

    Overland flow

    Sub surface flow

    Flow due to snowmelt

    Hydrological response of the watershed: from processes to flow

    Conclusions

    General conclusions

    Biography

    Musy\, Andre; Higy\, Christophe