TY - JOUR
T1 - Storage selection functions
T2 - A coherent framework for quantifying how catchments store and release water and solutes
AU - Rinaldo, Andrea
AU - Benettin, Paolo
AU - Harman, Ciaran J.
AU - Hrachowitz, Markus
AU - McGuire, Kevin J.
AU - Van Der Velde, Ype
AU - Bertuzzo, Enrico
AU - Botter, Gianluca
PY - 2015/6/1
Y1 - 2015/6/1
N2 - We discuss a recent theoretical approach combining catchment-scale flow and transport processes into a unified framework. The approach is designed to characterize the hydrochemistry of hydrologic systems and to meet the challenges posed by empirical evidence. StorAge Selection functions (SAS) are defined to represent the way catchment storage supplies the outflows with water of different ages, thus regulating the chemical composition of out-fluxes. Biogeochemical processes are also reflected in the evolving residence time distribution and thus in age-selection. Here we make the case for the routine use of SAS functions and look forward to areas where further research is needed. Key Points: Storage selection functions recapitulate age dynamics Formulation of transport by travel time distributions Flow and transport at catchment scales
AB - We discuss a recent theoretical approach combining catchment-scale flow and transport processes into a unified framework. The approach is designed to characterize the hydrochemistry of hydrologic systems and to meet the challenges posed by empirical evidence. StorAge Selection functions (SAS) are defined to represent the way catchment storage supplies the outflows with water of different ages, thus regulating the chemical composition of out-fluxes. Biogeochemical processes are also reflected in the evolving residence time distribution and thus in age-selection. Here we make the case for the routine use of SAS functions and look forward to areas where further research is needed. Key Points: Storage selection functions recapitulate age dynamics Formulation of transport by travel time distributions Flow and transport at catchment scales
KW - basin-scale transport
KW - biogeochemical processes
KW - hydrologic response
KW - mixing and dispersion
KW - residence time distributions
KW - travel time distributions
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U2 - 10.1002/2015WR017273
DO - 10.1002/2015WR017273
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84937521071
SN - 0043-1397
VL - 51
SP - 4840
EP - 4847
JO - Water Resources Research
JF - Water Resources Research
IS - 6
ER -
