Hydrological experimental system and environmental isotope tracing: a review on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Chinese basin studies and the 20th Anniversary of Chuzhou Hydrology Laboratory

摘要

The experimental and representative basin (ERB) study of PRC, initiated in 1953, shows a complicate up and down. Based on the experiences gained from it, aimed at studying some fundamentals of hydrology the Chuzhou Hydrology Laboratory was established on 1982 with suggestions including the concept of experimental hydrology and that of the hydrological experimental system. These studies stretch from the analysis and synthesis of natural conditions to controlled parameter conditions till the investigation of isolated processes. A so-called simulated experimental catchment with controlled boundary conditions and four runoff components, being individually observable, was then designed and established. Environmental isotope tracing to determine various runoff components of a basin were also initiated in the PRC. Results from Chuzhou ERBs reveal that many concepts used in traditional hydrological practice of this country, both for engineering purpose and for water resources evaluation, appear incorrect or inaccurate. Some of it is discussed including the rainfall-runoff relationship, the hydrograph separation, the concept of runoff generation, the uniform distribution of hydrological parameters, etc. From these results, it is concluded that the hydrological experimentation appears the unique way for the improvement of hydrology, which has not yet consolidated as a science itself.