Effect of snow amount on runoff, soil loss and suspended sediment during periods of snowmelt in southern West Siberia

Surface runoff, soil loss, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), texture of eroded soils and suspended sediment were determined on slightly eroded chernozems (mouldboard fall-ploughed) during years with different amounts of snow in three areas of southern West Siberia (Predsalairye, Priobye and Kuznetsk hollow). These areas have different geomorphological and climatic characteristics and soils. Observations were made from 1969 to 2007. The soil loss during very low-snow and low-snow years did not exceed 2 t ha− 1. After winters with normal amounts of snow, the runoff led to slight soil loss (2–5 t ha− 1). Soil losses in high-snow and very high-snow years varied from slight to severe (4.8–15.8 t ha− 1) depending on studied area. The main sediment exported during intensive snowmelt and the 1 mm of runoff transported from 35 to 150 kg ha− 1 of soil material. The removal of soil particles < 0.01 mm (especially clay) prevailed during the initial and final stages of snowmelt. Clay removal by meltwater from the ploughed layer in high-snow and very high-snow years varied from 3300 to 4200 kg ha− 1 and, in the initial and final stages of snowmelt clay removal, accounted for 1260–1,500 kg ha− 1. Among the three studied regions, Predsalairye had decreased soil erosion resistance and was the area with the greatest danger of erosion.

Research highlights
► The highest soil and clay losses were observed in years with large snow amounts.
► the main soil loss occurred in the middle stage of snowmelt.
► in the initial and final stages the removal of particles < 0.01 mm prevailed.