Aerul şi Apa: Componente ale Mediului (Mar 2011)
SPATIAL VARIATION OF STREAM POWER IN THE BUZĂU AND IALOMIŢA RIVER CATCHMENTS (ROMANIA)
Abstract
Spatial variation of stream power in the Buzău and Ialomiţa River Catchments (Romania). Stream power is a parameter that quantifies river energy, respectively its work ability. The aim of this paper is to estimate the stream power of rivers from the Buzău and Ialomiţa catchments and to present the difficulties in calculating and interpreting its variation. Cross-sections accomplished by the National Administration "Romanian Waters" were used in fulfilling this objective, at hydrometric stations on the Ialomiţa, Prahova, Buzău, Bâsca Chiojdului and Bâsca Rivers. Based on these profiles, and using hydraulic methods, parameters like flow velocity, discharge and stream power were calculated. Analysis results indicate that the rivers draining the Carpathian and Subcarpathian regions are dynamic. They have a specific stream power of more than 150 W/m² and are susceptible to rapid evolution. In the Romanian Plain rivers are less energetic (a specific stream power below 40 W/m², excluding river sectors with braided trends and incised channels). Also they are characterized by a less intensive dynamic.
