Anthropogenic and catchment characteristic signatures in the water quality of Swiss rivers: a quantitative assessment

摘要: Abstract. The hydrological and biogeochemical response of rivers carries information about solute sources, pathways, transformations in the catchment. We investigate long-term water quality data 11 Swiss catchments with the objective to discern influence major catchment characteristics and anthropic activities on delivery solutes stream water. Magnitude, trends, seasonality samplings different are evaluated compared across catchments. Subsequently, empirical dependence between concentration discharge is used classify the solute behaviors. While anthropogenic impacts are clearly detectable concentration of certain (i.e., Na+ , Cl− NO3 DRP), influence of single such as geology (e.g., Ca2+ and H4SiO4 ), topography DOC, TOC, and TP), size on DOC TOC) only sometimes visible, which also because limited sample size spatial heterogeneity within Solute variability in time generally smaller than most significant trends time due temporal variations anthropogenic rather natural forcing. majority show dilution with increasing discharge, especially geogenic species, while sediment-bonded solutes (e.g., total phosphorous organic carbon species) higher concentrations increasing discharge. Both anthropogenic factors affect streams, and, the majority identifiable behaviors individual catchments, only a minority can be generalized 11 catchments that exhibit natural, climatic, features.