An artificial flood to determine the hydrological network's contribution to phosphorus exports in a small rural watershed

The role of the hydrological network on phosphorus transfer in a small rural catchment in France during a minor flood was studied. The flow in the river was increased from 5 to 20 litres per second. The added water had a high sulphate concentration allowing it to be traced. A mass balance of soluble phosphorus showed that half of its mass was retained in the stream. This retention during a small flood could be explained by a sorption reaction on particles. Within-stream disturbance contributed to the total phosphorus emitted during small floods. (Full translation price on application).