The Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers, located in the south-eastern part of Romania, is one of the most affected areas by the 
torrential related phenomena. This occurs due to physical-geographical and economical-geographical factors, such as: slope, curvature profile, lithology, soil texture and land use. In order to calculate and spatially model the surface runoff potential index, these factors were integrated 
and worked in GIS enviroment. Each characteristic of the factors was given a bonitation score, according to the way that it influences surface 
runoff. By applying the methodology mainly taken after Smith (2003), the Flash-Flood Potential Index was obtained, with values between 19.4 - 44.5. The highest values of the index correspond to deforestated slopes, which exceed 15º, located in Bălăneasa and Sărățel river basins

Costache, Romulus

Fontanine, Iulia

English

Name not available

Using GIS techniques for surface runoff potential analysis in the Subcarpathian area between Buzãu and Slãnic rivers, in Romania

The Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers, located in the 

south-eastern part of Romania, is one of the most affected areas by the 

torrential related phenomena. This occurs due to physical-geographical 

and economical-geographical factors, such as: slope, curvature profile, 

lithology, soil texture and land use. In order to calculate and spatially 

model the surface runoff potential index, these factors were integrated 

and worked in GIS enviroment. Each characteristic of the factors was 

given a bonitation score, according to the way that it influences surface 

runoff. By applying the methodology mainly taken after Smith (2003) 

[1], the Flash-Flood Potential Index was obtained, with values between 

19.4 - 44.5. The highest values of the index correspond to deforestated 

slopes, which exceed 15º, located in Bălăneasa and Sărățel river basins

IULIA FONTANINE

ROMULUS COSTACHE

Directory of Open Access Journals

       USING GIS TECHNIQUES FOR SURFACE RUNOFF POTENTIAL ANALYSIS IN  THE SUBCARPATHIAN AREA BETWEEN BUZĂU AND SLĂNIC RIVERS, IN ROMANIA    Iulia FONTANINE Romulus COSTACHE      Contents:  1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 49 2. METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................................................... 50 3. RESULTS .................................................................................................................................................................... 54 4. CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 56 5. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................... 56     Cite this document: Fontanine, I., Costache, R., 2013. Using GIS techniques for surface runoff potential analysis in the Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers, in Romania. Cinq Continents 3 (7): 47-57 [Available online]| URL : http://www.cinqcontinents.uv.ro/3/3_7_Fontanine.pdf  Volume 3 / Numéro 7 Été 2013 ISSN: 2247 - 2290 p. 47-57 Faculty of Geography  University of Bucharest romuluscostache2000@yahoo.com Cinq Continents Volume 3, Numéro 7, 2013, p. 47-57  [48]  Using GIS techniques for surface runoff potential analysis in the Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers, in Romania   Iulia Fontanine Romulus Costache    Using GIS techniques for surface runoff potential analysis in the Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers, in Romania. The Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers, located in the south-eastern part of Romania, is one of the most affected areas by the torrential related phenomena. This occurs due to physical-geographical and economical-geographical factors, such as: slope, curvature profile, lithology, soil texture and land use. In order to calculate and spatially model the surface  runoff potential index, these factors were integrated and worked in GIS enviroment. Each characteristic of the factors was given a bonitation score,  according to the way that it influences surface runoff. By applying the methodology mainly taken after Smith (2003) [1], the Flash-Flood Potential Index was obtained, with values between  19.4 - 44.5. The highest values of the index correspond to deforestated slopes, which exceed 15º, located in Bălăneasa and Sărățel river basins.   Key words: FFPI, Slănic, Buzău, flash-floods, Subcarpathian   Utilizarea tehnicilor GIS în analiza potențialului de manifestare a scurgerii accelerate în regiunea Subcarpatică dintre râurile Buzău și Slănic. Zona subcarpatică dintre râurile Slănic și Buzău, situată în partea central-sud-estică a României, este una dintre cele mai afectate de procesele asociate torențialității. Acest lucru se datorează caracteristicilor factorilor fizico- și economico-geografice precum: panta, curbura în profil, litologia, textura solurilor și utilizării terenurilor. Pentru spațializarea și calcularea potențialului de manifestare a scurgerii accelerate, factorii menționați anterior au fost integrați și prelucrați în mediul GIS. Prelucrarea a constat în acordarea unor note de bonitare fiecărei caracteristici a factorilor, în funcție de modul cum acestea influențează scurgerea în suprafață. În urma aplicării metodologiei preluată în mare parte de la Smith (2003) [1], s-a obținut indicele potențialului de manifestare a scugerii accelerate (Flash-Flood Potential Index) pentru Subcarpații dintre Slănic și Buzău, cu valori între 19.4 - 44.5.  Cele mai ridicate valori se înregistrează pe versanții despăduriți cu pante de peste 15º din Bazinele hidrografice ale râurilor Bălăneasa și Sărățel.  Cuvinte cheie: FFPI, Slănic, Buzău, viitura, Subcarpați   I. FONTANINE, R. COSTACHE  1. INTRODUCTION  The importance of delimitating surfaces with high runoff potential consists in the fact that the frequency of extreme meteorological events, such as torrential rainfall, has grown significantly much, causing violent and rapid high-floods. Due to these type of studies, measures can be taken more efficiently in order to diminish the severity of flowing phenomena.   In Romania, the subject of runoff has been studied, in several writings, by Chendeș (2007) [2], Zoccatelli et al. (2010) [3], Mătreaţă and Mătreaţă (2010) [4], Zaharia et al. (2012) [5]. The aim of the present study is to analyze, by using GIS techniques, the way that physical and economical-geographical factors influence the potential to surface runoff occurrence. The importance of this study also consists in the fact that, except important localities, such as Pătârlagele, Cernătești and Berca, the most important touristic objectives are found in the study area: The Muddy Volcanoes, the Natural Monument "La Grunj" on Slănic river, The Amber Museum from Colți. These social-economical and cultural objectives could be harshly affected in case of runoff associated phenomena occurrence.  The Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers is located in the central south-eastern part of Romania (Figure 1), in the Curvature Subcarpathians, in the Buzău Subcarpathians section. In terms of lithology, the substrate contains heavy rocks, which increase the runoff phenomenon in the approach of the Paleogene flysch, located on the contact area between Bocului Hills and Ivănețu [6] respectively on the contact area to the Curvature Carpathians. The study area is characterized by altitudes between 116 and 876 meters, recorded on Bucului Hills (Figure 1).   The slope has a very important influence on runoff manifestation. The highest values of the slope in the study area exceed 15° and occur in almost 16% of the total area. The highest values correspond especially to hilly sections: Bocului, Dâlmei, Blidișel and Cornetului hills, located on the contact area between the Curvature Subcarpathians and the Curvature Carpathians. The surfaces with high slope values, exceeding 15°, have a high runoff potential.  The main climatic characteristics of the study area are the multiannual mean of temperature, which is 8,9°C and the multiannual average sum of precipitation, which is  604 mm/year [7].  The hydrological network is mainly represented by Buzău and Slănic rivers, which form the eastern, southern and western limit of the study area.   The vegetation has a major importance on surface runoff in the study area. The forest vegetation is represented by a very large number of broadleaf forest species and occupies almost 23% of the total study area [8]. The low weight of the forest in the study area, which has an important role in diminishing the surface runoff potential [9],  Cinq Continents Volume 3, Numéro 7, 2013, p. 47-57  [50]   certifies the fact that the area between Buzău and Slănic rivers is highly exposed to torrential associated phenomena.   Regarding the edafic cover, soil texture has a major influence on runoff occurrence, because it influences water infiltration. In this case, the loamy-clay...clay texture of the soil determines a high and very high potential to surface runoff and occurs on 37% of the study area.  In 2006, according to the types of land use, forests represented almost 23% of the total study area, while pastures represented 20% of the total study area. In terms of surface runoff on the slopes, the following types of land use increase the phenomenon: pastures, bare rocks and built areas.  2. METHODOLOGY  In order to realize this study, the flash-flood potential index was created and spatially modeled for the area between Buzău and Slanic rivers. This index was proposed by Smith in 2003 [1], and was calculated for Colorado river. After, the index was adapted, used and improved by other researchers. In the present study, the index I. FONTANINE, R. COSTACHE  was calculated by integrating five factors that influence the runoff process, by using GIS environment. Morphometric indexes such as slope (Figure 2) and profile curvature (Figure 3) were derived, in raster format, from the digital terrain elevation model, obtained from a 10 m cell size, by contours interpolation [10]. The other three factors, soil texture, lithology, and land use were firstly obtained as polygon features.     The lithology (Figure 4) was obtained by vectorizing data from the Romanian Geological Map, at 1:200000 scale [11], the soil texture (Figure 5) was obtained from the Romanian Soils Map at 1:200000 scale, in digital format [12]. The land use (Figure 6) was obtained from the European Corine Land Cover data for year 2006 [8]. After, the factors in polygon format were converted to raster format, with a 10 m cell size, by using ArcGis 10.1.     Cinq Continents Volume 3, Numéro 7, 2013, p. 47-57  [52]     I. FONTANINE, R. COSTACHE                        Cinq Continents Volume 3, Numéro 7, 2013, p. 47-57  [54]   The factors were finally reclassified by establishing their bonitation scores according to their influence on surface runoff (Table 1). Finally, by using the Weight module of Idrisi Selva soft the weight of each factor was established in order to obtain the FFPI values for the study area, by integrating the factors.  Parameters Types/Values Litology – 16.87% Gravels, sands, loess deposits Marls, clays, lymestones Sandstones, calcareous shale, conglomerates Flysch with shale intercalations Sandstone of Răchitașu Slope(º) – 24.09% 0-3 3-7 7-15 15-25 >25 Profile curvature – 18.93%   -5.3 - 0 0 – 0.9 0.9 – 5.5 Soil texture – 18.68% Loamy-sandy...loamy Loamy Varying textures, loamy...loamy-clay Loamy-clay, loamy-clay..clay Clay Land use – 21.42% Forests Transitional woodland-shrub Agricultural zones, vineyards Pastures Build areas, bare rocks Bonitation score 1 2 3 4 5 FFPI class (1990, 2006) 19.4 – 24.4 24.4 – 29.4 29.4 – 34.5 34.5 – 39.5 39.5 - 44.5   3. RESULTS           By applying the methodology described above, the Flash Flood Potential Index (FFPI) was obtained for the Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers. The FFPI values are between 19.4 and 44.5 (Figure 7). The values were grouped in five classes, by equal intervals. As a result, the first class of values, between 19.4 – 24.4, corresponds to a very low potetial to surface runoff.  I. FONTANINE, R. COSTACHE    These values occur on almost 3% of the study area, generally on the areas with low slopes on Buzău right riverside, near the junction area between the main river and its tributaries  Aluniș, Bălăneasa și Slănic (Figure 7). The second class of FFPI values, between 24.4 – 29.4, occurr on almost half pound of the study area. This class of values corresponds to woody areas from Blidișelului și Bocului hilly sectors, charaterized by relative low slopes. The average values of  FFPI, between 29.4 – 34.5, occurr on 52% of the study area, on extended surfaces on almost all relief subunits, typical to agricultural lands with slopes beneath 15º.The high and very high values of FFPI, between 34.5 – 44.5 represent almost 21% of the study area. These occurr mainly in the western part of the study area (Figure 7), especially on the contact area with the Curvature Carpathians. Regarding the sub-basin allocation, the most affected areas are highlighted: the upper area of Sărățel basin (Figure 7) and the central part of  Bălăneasa basin. These values correspond to deforestated slopes which exceed 15º. Due to the the high surface runoff potential of these areas, The National Administration of Romanian Waters, through the Basin Administration of Buzău-Ialomița, realized in 2011 the  Projection Task Cinq Continents Volume 3, Numéro 7, 2013, p. 47-57  [56]  regarding:“Sărăţel river and its tributaries regulation near Berca, Scorţoasa, Căneşti, Chiliile localities, Buzău county”[13].           4. CONCLUSIONS  Generally, the Subcarpathian area between Buzău and Slănic rivers is charaterised by a medium potential to surface runoff associated hydric risk phenomena. This fact is certified by the average values (29.4 – 34.5) of the FFPI on over 50% of the total study area.  On the Chiliile, Odăile and Cozieni localities alignment, where high and very values of the index occurr, the social-economical objectives are highly exposed to high water and flooding.  The lowest values of the index occurr on the slopes with low declivity and protective forest cover.  The present study also demonstrates the utility of GIS techniques for identifying the areas exposed to natural risks and for a more efficient management of the crisis situations.    5. REFERENCES  [1] SMITH, G.  Flash flood potential: determining the hydrologic response of ffmp basins to heavy rain by analyzing their physiographic characteristics. A white paper available from the NWS Colorado Basin River Forecast Center web site at http://www.cbrfc. noaa.gov/papers/ffp_wpap.pdf, 11 pp, 2003.  [2] CHENDEŞ, V.  Scurgerea lichidă şi solidă în Subcarpaţii de la curbură. Teză de doctorat, Academia Română, Institutul de Geografie, Biblioteca Institutului de Geografie, Bucureşti, 2007. [3] ZOCCATELLI D., BORGA M., ZANON F., ANTONESCU B., STÂNCALIE G. Which rainfall spatial information for flash flood response modelling? A numerical investigation based on data from the Carpathian range, Romania, Journal of Hydrology 394, 148–161, 2010.  [4] MATREATA, M., MATREATA, S. Metodologie de estimare a potenţialului de producere de viituri rapide în bazine hidrografice mici, Comunicări de Geografie, Vol. XIV, Editura Universităţii din Bucureşti, Bucureşti, 2010. [5] ZAHARIA L, MINEA G., TOROIMAC, G.I., BARBU R., SÂRBU I. Estimation of the Areas with Accelerated Surface Runoff in the Upper Prahova Watershed (Romanian Carpathians), Balwois, Republic of Macedonia, available on I. FONTANINE, R. COSTACHE  http://ocs.balwois.com/index.php?conference=BALWOIS&schedConf=BW2012&page=paper&op=view&path%5B%5D=595&path%5B%5D=259, 2012. [6] ROȘU A.  Geografia Fizică a României, Editura Didactică și Pedagogică, București, 1980. [7] *** Clima României, Administrația Natională de Meteorologie, Editura Academiei Române Bucureşti, 2008. [8]  ***Corine Land Cover, raster data, European Environment Agency (eea.europa.eu), 2006.  [9] ARGHIRIADE, C. Rolul hidrologic al pădurii, Editura Ceres, București, 1977. [10] *** http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org/ [11] *** www.geospatial.org [12] *** The soils map in electronic format, 1:200,000, ICPA Bucureşti. [13] *** www.rowater.ro/dabuzau/default.aspx  

SSOAR - Social Science Open Access Repository 

http://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/document/35977/1/ssoar-cinqcon-2013-7-fontanine_et_al-Using_GIS_techniques_for_surface.pdf

Using GIS techniques for surface runoff potential analysis in the Subcarpathian area between Buzãu and Slãnic rivers, in Romania

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Name not available

Directory of Open Access Journals

SSOAR - Social Science Open Access Repository

Name not available