Suspended sediment load during floods in a small stream of the Dolomites (northeastern Italy)

Suspended sediment load was analyzed in a small, high-gradient stream of the Eastern Italian Alps which was instrumented to measure discharge and sediment transport. The ratio of suspended to total sediment yield and the relations between sediment concentration and water discharge were analyzed for seven floods which occurred from 1991 to 1996 in summer and autumn (from June to October). Different patterns of hysteresis in the relation between suspended sediment and discharge were related to types and locations of active sediment sources. The within-storm variation of particle size of suspended sediment during a major flood indicates a coarsening of transported material for increasing discharge. An analysis of grain size has shown that erosion areas on hillslopes were the main sources of suspended load.     

Residence times of alluvium in an east Texas stream as indicated by sediment color

The relationships between sediment production, storage, and transport in fluvial systems are complex and variable. Key issues in addressing these relationships are the residence times of sediment delivered to the channel, and the proportion derived from recent upland erosion as opposed to remobilized alluvium. The systematic changes in iron geochemistry often experienced by sediments deposited in an anaerobic environment, such as a stream channel or waterlogged floodplain, are used here as an indicator of residence time over contemporary time scales. In areas such as east Texas, where upland soils are high in iron oxide content, these changes are reflected in soil color. Alluvium with red, yellow, or brown colors indicating ferric (oxidized) iron and sufficient organic matter for reduction to occur indicates a short (<1 year) residence time. Redox features along root channels may indicate the residence time of oxidized material without organic matter. Alluvium with gley colors (Munsell chroma<3) indicates a longer residence time (>1 year). Sediments with the longest residence times in alluvial environments (≫1 year) will not oxidize on exposure to the atmosphere due to the loss of iron, while those with ferrous iron remaining will experience oxidation and color change on exposure. In Loco Bayou, Texas, these indicators of residence time are shown to be generally consistent with other field evidence of erosion and sedimentation. Further, the color indicators correctly indicate the residence time in several cases where the latter is known from field observations.     

Modern eolian and fluvial processes and their interactions in an ephemeral desert stream in Inner Mongolia,China

Purpose

Floods and eolian activities are the dominant external agents to shape the topographic forms in ephemeral desert streams of drylands. So far, few studies have discussed the modern processes of eolian–fluvial interactions. To bridge this gap, we studied the modern interactions of eolian and fluvial process in a desert ephemeral river, the Maobula Gully in Inner Mongolia, which exhibits typical eolian–fluvial interactions.

Materials and methods

Multisource data such as integrated particle size data, hydrological data from the Tugerige Hydrological Station, high-spatial-resolution satellite images, and an eolian sediment saltation emission model were integrated to analyze the effects of eolian and fluvial delivery to the sediment on the riverbed, the eolian sediment feeding rate to the gully, the transport of sediment in flood events, and the interactions between eolian and fluvial processes.

Results and discussion

The desert reach of the Maobula Gully is a replacement reach between coarse sediment from the upper reaches and eolian sediment from the Kubuqi Desert. The annual eolian sediment feeding into the gully exhibited a significant decreasing trend. The eolian sediment into the gully increases the available sediment and the bed roughness, affecting the transport of sediment during floods. The sediment concentration and yields in flood events are mainly decided by the discharge and water yield, respectively. Through a comparison of the channel forms between 1970 and 2013, a recovery mechanism in the Maobula Gully was identified, which involves the equilibrium state between abrupt flood erosion and continuous dune migration.

Conclusions

This study analyzed the modern processes of eolian and fluvial processes and their interactions in a typical ephemeral desert stream named the Maobula Gully, and some interesting results were found. We believe that the methodology and results could provide references and evidence for understanding the mechanisms of fluvial and eolian interactions in other ephemeral desert streams around the world.

     

近60年湘江流域水沙特性及其对人类活动的响应

湘江流域人类活动对湘江水沙变化具有显著影响。利用M-K次序法、Pettitt非参数检验法和双累积曲线法分析湘江干支流1953-2014年的年径流量、汛期径流量和非汛期径流量与输沙量的关系,并分析水土保持和水库建设等人类活动与水沙演变的关系。结果表明:1)湘江干支流水文站的年径流量、汛期径流量与输沙量的相关性强,且1990年后湘潭站径流量-输沙量的相关系数为0.83,而非汛期相关性较弱。1990年前,干流站点径流量和输沙量处于波动状态,1990年后干流站点径流量总体呈增加趋势,但输沙量呈减小趋势,且老埠头站的输沙量发生微幅突变。除个别站点之外,支流站点的径流量和输沙量发生突变的年份与变化规律均一致。2)水土保持以及水库建设对湘江流域的拦沙作用是输沙量减少的主要原因。相比支流,水土保持对湘江干流流域的输沙量减少影响更显著,水库建设与湘江干支流输沙量减少均密切相关。3)根据湘江流域输沙量突变点可划分A(1960-1987年)、B(1988-1996年)、C(1997-2013年)3个时期,在不考虑温度变化的影响下,以A时期1960-1987年为基准期,利用累积量斜率变化率比较法可知,相比基准期A时期,B、C时期水土保持和水库拦沙等人类活动对输沙量的减少的贡献率为88.58%和94.01%,人类活动为输沙量减小的主要因素。     

黄河上游内蒙古河段塑槽输沙需水量分析

为了解冲积性河流塑槽输沙需水量,合理调配水资源,以内蒙古河段为例,依据挟沙水流能量平衡方程,研究了冲积性河流挟沙水流的能量耗散原理及水流塑槽和输沙能量的分配模式,给出了反应冲积性河流冲淤状态的塑槽输沙需水量计算方法,由平滩流量、河道来沙量和冲淤量三者组成的关系确定塑槽输沙需水量。利用内蒙古河段1960-2013年实测资料,计算得到内蒙古河段塑槽输沙水量,汛期来沙量0.7～1.1亿t,塑造2 000～3 000 m³/s的中水河槽、淤积水平控制30%以下,需要的汛期塑槽输沙水量为94.6～141.2亿m³;分析了不同条件下汛期塑槽输沙水量变化规律:来沙量一定,同样的中水河槽规模,控制淤积水平越低,需要的塑槽输沙水量越大;来沙量一定,同样的淤积水平,塑造中水河槽规模越大,需要的塑槽输沙水量越大;控制同样淤积水平,塑造同样中水河槽规模,汛期来沙量越大,需要的塑槽输沙水量越大。内蒙古河段塑槽输沙需水量计算结果和结果变化规律可为黄河上游内蒙古河段水资源配置提供参考。     

In-Stream Processing of Sediment-Associated Metals in Peatland Fluvial Systems

The interaction between fluvially transported, metal contaminated peat particulates and acidic waters draining peatland catchments has received limited attention. Potential in-stream processing of sediment-associated metals in acidic stream water was investigated in laboratory based mixing experiments, designed to represent conditions of fluvial sediment transport in a highly contaminated and severely eroding peatland catchment in the Peak District (UK). Over the initial 20 min of the first experiment, stream water Cr and Zn concentrations increased by at least an order-of-magnitude and remained elevated for the full duration (24 h) of the experiment. Stream water As, Mo, Pb, Ti and V concentrations increased between 43% (As) and 440% (V) over the first hour of the experiment. After 24 h most of the metals appeared to have reached equilibrium in the water column. Results of the second experiment revealed that when the concentration of metal contaminated peat particulates is increased, there is an associated increase in the stream water As, Cr, Mo, Pb, Ti, V and Zn concentrations. The experimental data suggest that As, Cr, Mo, Pb, Ti, V and Zn are liable to desorption from metal contaminated peat into acidic stream water. The solubilisation of contaminated peat particulates may also contribute to elevated stream water metal concentrations. The laboratory based approach used in this study may indicate that when there is erosion of metal contaminated peat into acidic fluvial systems there is a concomitant increase in dissolved metal levels, especially when suspended sediment concentrations are high. Further laboratory and field based experiments are required to evaluate the relative importance of physical and chemical processes in the interaction between contaminated peat particulates and stream water in peatland fluvial systems.     

Environmental change, hillslope erosion and suspended sediment: Some observations from Hong Kong

Evidence of environmental change in Hong Kong, including vegetation, climate and the frequency of hillfires is presented. Hillfires may be an important influence upon slope degradation in the territory. Field observations made in the Northwest New Territories provide evidence that hillfires increase soil erosion on slopes and result in higher storm-period concentrations of suspended sediment. Monitoring carried out in a small drainage basin reveals that landslides deliver sediment to an upland stream giving very high concentrations and affecting sediment properties, with the C and N content declining under the influence of landslides. Should environmental change alter the frequency of landsliding and hillfire on natural terrain in Hong Kong this will have implications for hillslope degradation and sediment transport in upland streams.     

Environmental change,hillslope erosion and suspended sediment: Some observations from Hong Kong

Evidence of environmental change in Hong Kong, including vegetation, climate and the frequency of hillfires is presented. Hillfires may be an important influence upon slope degradation in the territory. Field observations made in the Northwest New Territories provide evidence that hillfires increase soil erosion on slopes and result in higher storm-period concentrations of suspended sediment. Monitoring carried out in a small drainage basin reveals that landslides deliver sediment to an upland stream giving very high concentrations and affecting sediment properties, with the C and N content declining under the influence of landslides. Should environmental change alter the frequency of landsliding and hillfire on natural terrain in Hong Kong this will have implications for hillslope degradation and sediment transport in upland streams.     

Dominant discharges for suspended sediment transport in a highly active Pyrenean river

Purpose

Dominant discharges and associated sediment dynamics of the River Isábena, a 445-km² catchment in the central Pyrenees of Spain that is punctuated by badlands, are analysed.

Materials and methods

Calculations of suspended sediment loads are based on continuous records of discharge and turbidity obtained at the basin outlet for the period 2005–2010.

Results and discussion

Dominant discharges for sediment load (i.e. effective discharge) present a bimodal distribution, with one peak falling in the range of low flows and the other associated to less frequent but higher magnitude floods (i.e. bankfull). The highly suspended sediment availability in the badlands, together with the high connectivity between the badlands and the stream network and the important in-channel fine sediment storage, causes both large and small events to remobilize fines. Baseflows, despite their low competence, generate resuspension and massive sediment loads. Thus, effective discharge (i.e. the discharge which transports most of the sediment) is not solely associated with bankfull (i.e. the discharge that dominates channel form), but to a wider range of discharges. Consequently, this river channel is not specifically adjusted to convey most of the sediment load during high floods, as in many other rivers, but instead large volumes of sediment are transferred downstream at an almost constant rate.

Conclusions

Results suggest that dominant discharge may play a lesser role in terms of (suspended) sediment load in non-supply-limited fluvial systems and/or in rivers that permanently work close to, or at, full transport capacity, as is the case of the Isábena.     

喀斯特地区小流域地下水土流失观测研究

以2009年9月—2010年8月为一个水文年,以小流域为水土流失研究尺度,通过对王家寨喀斯特小流域地下河出口断面的连续定位监测,获取每次降雨中地下河水流流量及含沙量。结果表明,只有当降雨量达到一定值后,地下河涨水、产沙才与降雨有着显著响应。根据含沙量计算出此水文年小流域随地下河流失的土壤为519.29 kg,初步估算地下土壤侵蚀模数为0.42 t/(km2.a),仅占地表、地下土壤流失总量的0.81%。喀斯特地区地下土壤流失量占流域总土壤流失量的比例,需在更多地貌类型区长期监测数据的基础上来确定。     

Sediment transport from continuous monitoring in a perennial Mediterranean stream

Sediment transport in the Ribera Salada stream was estimated from continuous suspended and bedload monitoring between 2005 and 2008. The Ribera Salada basin is a mountainous perennial river in the Southern Pyrenees and is representative of the extensive forestry land use in this upland region. Water and sediment fluxes have been analysed with the aim of determining the thresholds, duration, ranges and relative contributions of the two sediment transport modes (suspended and bedload), and their variability in relation to the basin's annual hydrology. The stream's hydrology in the first two sampling years was average in the context of a 10-yr series of the basin, while 2007–2008 can be classified as a wet year. The specific total sediment load during the study period amounted to 12 t km⁻²y⁻¹, a low value compared with similar Mediterranean counterparts. The maximum load (31.5 t km⁻²y⁻¹) was observed during the wettest year of the monitoring programme. During average years most of the total load (> 90%) was transported in suspension; consequently, suspended sediment transport is more frequent through time. In contrast, bedload occurs sporadically during floods that exceed certain hydraulic thresholds, corresponding to a flow equalled or exceeded 4% of the time, that yields an average shear stress of ∼ 35 N m⁻². Under such conditions bedload transport becomes relevant and, if the threshold is frequently exceeded as in relatively wet years such as 2007–2008, may constitute the majority of the total sediment load (74%). This paper provides new evidence of the distinct role of sediment transport modes in stable fluvial environments where only sporadic inputs of surplus energy (flow discharge) determine the dominant mode, magnitude and duration of their respective contribution.     

Field parameterization of an empirical sheetwash transport equation

Specially designed instruments were used to sample surface water and sediment discharge on a set of small hillslopes. The data set produced is unique as it includes simultaneous observations of surface water and sediment discharge, local surface declivity and drainage area at several points over the slope surface, and the precipitation intensity taken a number of times through natural storm events. The data are used to parameterize an empirical sediment transport law, expressing sediment transport as a power function of the local declivity and surface water discharge. A good fit to the observed data is achieved, suggesting that these field techniques may be used to parameterize the equation for different soils. A dynamic catena effect involving surface grain size, local declivity and the form of the sediment transport equation is recognized that may have significant implications for the form of sediment transport and long-term hillslope development.     

Field parameterization of an empirical sheetwash transport equation

Specially designed instruments were used to sample surface water and sediment discharge on a set of small hillslopes. The data set produced is unique as it includes simultaneous observations of surface water and sediment discharge, local surface declivity and drainage area at several points over the slope surface, and the precipitation intensity taken a number of times through natural storm events. The data are used to parameterize an empirical sediment transport law, expressing sediment transport as a power function of the local declivity and surface water discharge. A good fit to the observed data is achieved, suggesting that these field techniques may be used to parameterize the equation for different soils. A dynamic catena effect involving surface grain size, local declivity and the form of the sediment transport equation is recognized that may have significant implications for the form of sediment transport and long-term hillslope development.     

近70年长江干流寸滩站以上流域水沙关系变化及其驱动因素

以长江干流寸滩水文站以上流域为研究对象,基于1953-2018年的实测水沙资料,采用线性回归、Mann-Kendall趋势检验和水沙关系曲线分析径流、输沙的时间趋势及其关系变化,并采用双累积曲线法分析水沙变化的驱动因素。结果表明:寸滩站以上流域多年平均径流量为3425亿m^3,多年平均输沙量为3.61亿t;多年平均月径流量为294.8亿m^3,多年平均月输沙量为3013万t,且主要分布在6-10月,分别占年径流泥沙总量的70%和95%以上。趋势分析显示,流域年降雨量和径流量变化趋势不明显,年输沙量呈极显著减小趋势;月径流量在1-4月显著增加,其他月份变化不显著,而各月输沙量均呈显著减少趋势。水沙关系曲线均可用幂函数拟合,拟合参数受时间尺度影响,统计检验显示悬移质输沙量实测值与水沙关系曲线的估算值差异不显著。双累积曲线分析发现水利工程建设和水土保持等人类活动是寸滩水文站输沙减少的主要原因,其作用占69%~93%,其中2000年以来人类活动的贡献超过90%。     

Baseflow control on sediment flux connectivity: Insights from a nested catchment study in Central Mexico

In order to assess the extent of sediment connectivity between uplands and lowlands and to quantify the processes of in-channel deposition and remobilization, measurements of suspended sediment fluxes were conducted in a nested rural catchment of the Mexican Volcanic Belt. Data were collected over one year at three upland sites (3 to 12 km²) and two downstream stations (390–630 km²). Our results show that a structural discontinuity in the catchment (i.e. abrupt slope decrease at the junction between piedmonts and the alluvial plain from 2 to 10% to < 0.1%) could be compensated by functional continuity during floods. Direct conveyance of fine sediment to the outlet occurred when a high stream transport capacity was reached. Erosion of the streambed was observed on various occasions and accounted for up to 50% of the flux leaving the catchment during one event. Conversely, temporary in-channel storage was apparent on other occasions, amounting to up to 52% of the flux recorded upstream during one storm. These two distinct behaviours were approximately equally distributed along the rainy season and strongly driven by the extent of coupling between surface and subsurface water. This work indeed highlights the role of baseflow spatial variations in determining the extent of lowland sediment conveyance. Riverbed erosional processes occurred when large differences in pre-event baseflow values (i.e. at least a twofold longitudinal increase) were observed between the 5-km distant lowland stations. Our findings outline the importance of systematically taking into consideration the baseflow parameter in research focusing on fine sediment transport across scales.     

近70年长江干流寸滩站以上流域水沙关系

以长江干流寸滩水文站以上流域为研究对象,基于1953-2018年的实测水沙资料,采用线性回归、Mann-Kendall趋势检验和水沙关系曲线分析径流、输沙的时间趋势及其关系变化,并采用双累积曲线法分析水沙变化的驱动因素。结果表明：寸滩站以上流域多年平均径流量为3 425亿m³,多年平均输沙量为3.61亿t;多年平均月径流量为294.8亿m³,多年平均月输沙量为3 013万t,且主要分布在6-10月,分别占年径流泥沙总量的70%和95%以上。趋势分析显示,流域年降雨量和径流量变化趋势不明显,年输沙量呈极显著减小趋势;月径流量在1-4月显著增加,其他月份变化不显著,而各月输沙量均呈显著减少趋势。水沙关系曲线均可用幂函数拟合,拟合参数受时间尺度影响,统计检验显示悬移质输沙量实测值与水沙关系曲线的估算值差异不显著。双累积曲线分析发现水利工程建设和水土保持等人类活动是寸滩水文站输沙减少的主要原因,其作用占69%~93%,其中2000年以来人类活动的贡献超过90%。     

Factors controlling hydro-sedimentary response during runoff events in a rural catchment in the humid Spanish zone

In Galicia (NW Spain) studies on the suspended sediment (SS) transported in river catchments are scarce. Using a dataset comprising three hydrological years (2004/05–2006/07) in the Corbeira catchment (NW Spain), the relationships between rainfall, runoff and SS are analysed at event scale. The catchment was instrumented to measure rainfall, water level and SS in the stream. Several event (rainfall, discharge and SS concentration and load) and pre-event (rainfall and discharge) variables were calculated for all the events analysed. Correlation matrices were developed using these data. Discharge characteristics and rainfall depth showed good correlations with SS concentration and load. Suspended sediment and discharge relationships were also examined. In most of the events, the SS peak preceded peak discharge (clockwise hysteresis), implying that zones near the stream are the main sediment source areas.     

Solute Transport at Low Flow in an Acid Stream in Appalachian Ohio

The spatial variability in chemical composition of water and sediments along Snow Fork, a stream draining 70 km² of southeastern Ohio, was investigated under low-flow conditions. The stream is affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) beginning atEssex Mine, an abandoned mine opening, and extending 23 km downstream to the confluence with Monday Creek. Volumetric discharge and changes in stream water and sediment metalconcentrations were examined to identify chemical interactionsand processes controlling the transport and fate of metalcontaminants. The stream loses water to the groundwater system insome sections. The water loss probably occurs through fracturesconnecting the stream to underlying underground coal mines. Massbalance (loading) and mineral saturation index calculations wereused to identify metal sources and sinks. Dissolved metal loadingincreases downstream along the length of Snow Fork, despite theprecipitation of metals as hydroxides in the streambed,indicating multiple groundwater sources of AMD along the flowpath. Relatively high dissolved metal concentrations and lowsediment metal concentrations occur where the pH is low,indicating that local sediment-water interaction dominates masstransfer between sediments and water. Calculated mineralsaturation indexes indicate that aluminum and iron hydroxidesprecipitate in some stream segments and dissolve in others. X-raydiffractograms of sediments show two distinct mineral groups.Amorphous or weakly crystalline minerals dominate one group foundnear the stream headwaters near the underground mine. Crystallinemineral phases dominate the sediments downstream. Thesediffractograms contain the primary peaks for quartz, kaoliniteand illite all of which constitute the local sandstones, shalesor underclay. Peaks of amorphous phases of iron and manganese,if present, are obscured. The implications of these findings arethat the transport of metals in sediments may be as important asdissolved metal transport in estimating the overall stream load,particularly if downstream sources of AMD may remobilize metalsfrom soluble precipitates.     

基于AnnAGNPS模型的大宁河流域泥沙输移比评价

选择三峡库区大宁河流域为研究区,基于流域土地利用、土壤、地形及11个气象站8 a气象数据等资料,利用分布式流域评价模型-AnnAGNPS研究了流域泥沙输移特性.结果表明,大宁河流域多年平均输沙量自上游巫溪站的1.25×106t/a,沿程递增至大昌站的1.81×106t/a,大昌站以下增加缓慢,到流域出口为1.95×106t/a;东溪河和巫溪站以下至大昌站的大宁河干流左岸区间是两大产沙集中区;全流域SDR值为0.30,各子流域SDR值变化范围为0.376～0.531,与相关文献研究结果一致;干流控制站SDR值与流域站点控制面积呈负相关关系(r2=0.73),但这种关系在各支流上不明显,这是由于各子流域地形、土壤、土地利用和降雨量空间异质性都很大,表明对于不同的流域,仅用SDR值与流域面积关系无法确切计算其SDR值.