IDENTIFICATION OF PROCESSES REGULATING SULFATE CONTENT IN UPLAND CATCHMENT WATERS - THE ROLE OF EMPIRICAL-MODELS

A conceptual hydrological model has been extended to incorporate empir ical relationships permitting the prediction of storm event sulphate r esponse in a small headwater catchment in Mid-Wales, Results from simu lation of transient events have highlighted inadequacies in hydrologic al conceptualisation and a need for incorporation of preferential path way and in-stream processes. This has led,for example, to an investiga tion into the effects of Sphagnum spp. which has enhanced process unde rstanding and yielded a plausible explanation of performance mismatch. Specific additional data requirements permitting the further verifica tion of empirical functions have been pinpointed. The modelling has th us been successfully used to refine field investigations as a basis fo r improved process understanding. Copyright (C) 1996 IAWQ. Published b y Elsevier Science Ltd