Selecting fingerprint properties for discriminating potential suspended sediment sources in river basins

摘要: Abstract The absence of guidelines for pre-selecting the most effective combination properties inclusion in a composite fingerprint represents key methodological uncertainty hampering wider adoption fingerprinting approach identifying suspended sediment sources. This contribution reports preliminary attempt to address this issue by testing discrimination potential sources within number contrasting river basins UK and Africa, afforded range properties. Statistical analysis confirms that there is no single diagnostic property capable discriminating study basins. use fingerprints based on several constituents drawn from group consistently improves source discrimination. However, level particular not consistent between catchments. Composite incorporating selected groups using stepwise statistical selection procedure provide robust Whilst it possible identify universally applicable optimum fingerprint, results suggest at present, means optimising subsequent establishment fingerprint. More specifically, suggests measurements acid pyrophosphate–dithionite extractable metals, base cations organic should an basis establishing individual types. Radiometric can also useful information improving final choice will necessarily reflect laboratory facilities available.