Analysis of suspended sediment dynamics at event scale: comparison between a Mediterranean and an Alpine basin

Suspended sediment dynamics are complex processes resulting from the interactions between different factors. To better comprehend these dynamics at event scale, we investigated two large datasets produced in two instrumented Italian catchments: a Mediterranean (Carapelle) and an Alpine watershed (Rio Cordon). An extensive set of variables concerning climatic, hydrological and suspended transport characteristics was used to explore the predictability of sediment dynamics. The differences in climate and size (499.40 vs 5.07 km 2 ) led to different rainfall-runoff responses, while the discharge peak resulted as being a good descriptor for the hydrological and sediment dynamics. The sediment supply conditions influenced the hysteresis patterns while the principal component analysis explained 69.9% and 69.4% of variance in the Carapelle and Rio Cordon events, respectively. Using data produced by two long-term monitoring programmes, this study permits a better understanding of the sediment dynamics in Mediterranean and Alpine environments, also stressing their high complexity.