Solute erosion and chloride balance in selected river basins of the western conterminous United States

Water Resources Research
By:  and 

Links

Abstract

The estimated average rates of annual solute erosion in 11 important western river basins range from 180 tons per square mile (Willamette basin) to 4.2 tons per square mile (Gila basin). An average rate of 58 tons per square mile is indicated for the entire 545,000‐square‐mile area drained by the 11 rivers. The wide range in tonnage is the result of a complex of causes, among which differences in geology, gross climatic environments, and activities of man are the most important. Rates of solute erosion are highest in areas of abundant precipitation and runoff, in contrast to rates of suspended‐sediment removal, which are characteristically highest in basins subjected to only 10–15 inches of effective annual precipitation. Tonnages of chloride brought into the 11 river basins by rain and snow make up an equivalent of about 1.6 to about 17% of the chloride removed in runoff during an average year. The range of percentages reflects differences in the relative importance of oceanic and continental solute contributions. This paper is not subject to U.S. copyright. Published in 1965 by the American Geophysical Union.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Solute erosion and chloride balance in selected river basins of the western conterminous United States
Series title Water Resources Research
DOI 10.1029/WR001i004p00537
Volume 1
Issue 4
Year Published 1965
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Description 5 p.
First page 537
Last page 541
Country United States
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details