Spatial and temporal variability of sediment transfer and storage in an Alpine basin (Reintal valley, Bavarian Alps, Gemany)

Abstract

This paper focuses in particular on clastic sediment fluxes on talus slopes. Using orthophoto interpretation, field measurements and GIS-techniques, a quantification of areas and volumes of active sediment transfer related to specific landform units was achieved for different spatial scales. Closer investigation of a single landform complex, more specifically a talus sheet/ debris cone-complex, brought to light that remobilisation can overbalance sediment input by a factor of 57. This could be an indication of what may be expected in the whole catchment. At present. approximately 9% of the research area (3 km2), comprising talus slopes and valley bottom, is characterised by sediment transfer mainly through gravilational and fluvial processes. A comparison of the vast volumes (117.174 m3) derived from these active areas of recent sediment transfer and the volume of the entire valley fill (0.07 km3) indicates, however, that the largest part must be related to remobilised sediments and cannot be considered as sediment input from the adjacent rockwalls. This conclusion is also supported by direct measurements of sediment input.