Variability of the particle size of suspended sediment during highly concentrated flood events in a small mountainous catchment

Abstract

Purpose There is a growing interest in the characterization of the particle size of sediment due to its impact on particle dynamics, especially for connectivity purpose. This study determined the particle size distribution of suspended sediment in a mountainous catchment, with the aim to evaluate the variability of particle size during floods, the main controlling factors, and if indirect information from hillslopes was useful for the interpretation of particle size measured at the catchment outlet. This work involved the development of a measurement protocol.