Impact assessment of global warming on rainfall-runoff characteristics in tropical regions | |
| Author | Hemantha, E. J. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. WA-92-10 |
| Subject(s) | Climatic changes Runoff |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the of degree Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Concentration of the Carbon Dioxide (C02) and other trace gasses in the atmosphere has been increasing since the industrial revolution. Due to this a global climatic change is likely to occur within next few decades. This climatic change is expected to affect the water resources management.. In this study a catchment in tropical Sri Lanka was considered t o analyze the sensitivity of hydrological variables to climatic change . Climatic conditions projected by three General Circulation Models (GCMs) were considered. Out of these GCMs two were selected for projection of future climate. Three climatic scenarios were considered as, one based on present climatic condition and other two based on two selected GCMs projections at double C02 condition. Data generation models were used to simul<1t. e rainfall and evapotranspiration . Out of two rainfall-runoff models one was selected for simulation of runoff . Hydrological variables for double C02 condition were obtained by modifying variables at present condition according to GC.Ms projections. Modified rainfall and evapotranspiration were input to rainfall-runoff mod el to simul at e runoff for double C02 condition. Impact of the global warming on hydrological variables were assessed by comparing variables at present condition with variables at double C02 condition. The results of this study concluded that the global warming effect would increase the mean monthly evapotranspiration in all months of the year. Daily and monthly peaks of precipitation and runoff were likely to increase projecting high floods than present. Reduction in low stream flows in dry seasons projected more severe droughts. But change in mean annual precipitation and runoff at double C02 condition were very small. |
| Year | 1992 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Water Resources Research Engineering (WA) |
| Chairperson(s) | Harboe, Ricardo ;Nophadol In -na |
| Examination Committee(s) | Huynh Ngoc Phien |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Danish International Development Agency (DANTDA), Government of Denmark |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1992 |