Tracing sediment transport history using mineralogical fingerprinting in a river basin with dams utilizing sediment sluicing

Abstract

Sediment causes a serious problem in relation to dam function. A cooperative sediment sluicing operation has been under way since 2017 to prevent sediment from accumulating in dams in the Mimi River, Miyazaki, Japan. To achieve a smooth and stable operation, it is very important to determine the sediment source and a sediment transport system to maintain the dam's function. In the current study, the source and transport of sediment from the Mimi River basin have been analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) to reveal the peaks of mineral species. The sediment samples were collected in the Mimi River basin from the Tsukabaru Dam to the sea in an area including 4 dams and 5 tributaries. In addition, the minerals in samples collected in 2014, before the start of the sediment sluicing operation, and from 2018 to 2020, after the start of the operation, were analyzed. An evaluation of the similarity of the sediment at each sampling point based on the X-ray diffraction peaks of mineral species showed that sediment distributed upstream was transported downstream in the year when the sediment sluicing was done. This result indicates that the sediment sluicing operation at dams ensured the continuity of the sediment distribution in the Mimi River basin. In addition, an investigation done in 2020 showed that sediment particles very similar to those of the upstream tributaries were deposited downstream because of extensive flooding caused by a large typhoon. The management of sediment transport has the greatest importance in a river basin where a dam is to be constructed. It is possible to trace the history of the sediment distribution and movement resulting from the operation of sediment sluicing by using sediment mineral analysis.