Were the hydraulic parameters of Precambrian rivers different?

Abstract

Palaeohydraulic estimates have been made using time-tested standard empirical formula involving channel dimensions, especially channel depth, in four Indian Proterozoic fluvial formations. These are the Mesoproterozoic Ramdurg, younger Mesoproterozoic Muchkundi and Neoproterozoic Cave Temple Arenite in Karnataka, and Upper Rewa Sandstone in central India. The basic data came from direct measurement of decompacted thicknesses of completely preserved channel-fills or bedforms, and more commonly of cross-sets. The result, in combination with data derived by others in a similar way from a few other Precambrian fluvial formations helps to provide a new insight into the palaeohydraulics of Precambrian rivers.River gradients appear to have been steeper during the Precambrian; the possibly continuous range of variation in river gradients from alluvial fans to the plains, as a whole shifted to higher values during the Precambrian epoch. The likely reason is a greater possibility of sediment bypassing on vegetation-free land. Concomitant downstream increase in discharge was enhanced in Precambrian rivers due to lack of withdrawal of groundwater through biogenic activity. Precambrian rivers were commonly ephemeral, but downstream the ephemerality index was reduced and some rivers might have been perennial where they debouched into standing bodies of water. The Precambrian river deposits studied generally had smaller width and depth with respect to Phanerozoic and modern rivers, possibly due to unstable substratum causing surface run-off tended to be impelled along multiple independent minor channels.