Bed Sediment Research Articles

Field observations on the characteristics of sand ripples on tidal flats

Ripples on tidal flats significantly influence bedform roughness and near-bed turbulence, yet their dynamics in sandy and muddy environments remain incompletely understood. While laboratory studies have elucidated the effects of mud content and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) on ripple formation and stability, the interactions between ripple characteristics, EPS, and mud content in natural settings are more complex and not thoroughly explored. To address this gap, we conducted field studies on sand ripples at the central Jiangsu coast, China, using high-resolution drone photogrammetry to accurately measure ripple dimensions. We performed bedload sampling at both ripple crests and troughs to analyze median grain size, mud content, and EPS concentrations. Our results show that the investigated ripple wavelengths range from 34 to 46 mm, and heights vary between 2.7 and 5.3 mm. Ripples developed near tidal creeks show pronounced asymmetry. Significantly, EPS concentrations are markedly higher at the ripple crests than at the troughs, and it follows a power-law relationship with the median grain size. These results highlight the complex intricate relationship between the ripple morphology, environmental forcing conditions, and EPS content. Our findings enrich the understanding of ripple development and the factors influencing current-dominated ripples in natural environments. This research also adds to the better prediction of the bedform roughness and quantification of the near bed sediment transport.

Fine Sediment in Mixed Sand‐Silt Environments Impacts Bedform Geometry by Altering Sediment Mobility

AbstractGeometric characteristics of subaqueous bedforms, such as height, length and leeside angle, are crucial for determining hydraulic form roughness and interpreting sedimentary records. Traditionally, bedform existence and geometry predictors are primarily based on uniform, cohesionless sediments. However, mixtures of sand, silt and clay are common in deltaic, estuarine, and lowland river environments, where bedforms are ubiquitous. Therefore, we investigate the impact of fine sand and silt in sand‐silt mixtures on bedform geometry, based on laboratory experiments conducted in a recirculating flume. We systematically varied the fraction of sand and silt for different discharges, and utilized an acoustic Doppler velocimeter to measure flow velocity profiles. The final bed geometry was captured using a line laser scanner. Our findings reveal that the response of bedforms to an altered fine sediment percentage is ambiguous, and likely depends on, among others, bimodality‐driven bed mobility and sediment cohesiveness. When fine, non‐cohesive material (fine sand or coarse silt) is mixed with the base material (medium sand), an increased dune height and length is observed, possibly caused by the hiding‐exposure effect, resulting in enhanced mobility of the coarser material. However, weakly cohesive fine silt suppresses dune height and length, possibly caused by reduced sediment mobility. Finally, in the transition from dunes to upper stage plane bed, there are indications that the bed becomes unstable and dune heights vary over time. The composition of the bed material does not significantly impact the hydraulic roughness, but mainly affects roughness via the bed morphology, especially the leeside angle.

Sediment Transport and Bed Topography for Realistic Unsteady Flow Hydrographs of Varying Length in a Laboratory Flume

Sediment Transport and Bed Topography for Realistic Unsteady Flow Hydrographs of Varying Length in a Laboratory Flume

Effects of small rock check dams on channel bed, vegetation diversity, and soil properties 10 years after a severe wildfire in forest micro‐catchments of central eastern Spain

AbstractOne of the most common post‐fire management techniques is the construction of check dams in catchments. However, little research has explored how small check dams impact on bed profile, vegetation diversity and soil properties several years after their construction in Mediterranean ephemeral channels draining micro‐catchments burned by severe wildfires. To fill this gap, this study has evaluated the effects of rock check dams installed about 10 years ago in small catchments after a wildfire in Castilla La Mancha (Central Eastern Spain). The changes in channel morphology, plant diversity as well as a large dataset of soil properties have been analysed close to the check dams in comparison to burned but non‐regulated channels. Neither the channel slope nor bed sediment size significantly changed downstream and upstream of the structures in comparison to the non‐regulated channels. Thanks to the unexploited retention capacity, the studied control works are still able to store the mobilised sediments on occasion of the most intense floods. Higher species richness in both upstream and downstream sections (+64%) was detected, while the plant evenness was not altered compared to the non‐regulated channels. Regarding the soil properties, increases in organic matter (over 200%), nutrients (+72% for N and +152% for P) and some cations (+29% for Ca and +86% for Mg) were measured. Overall, the presence of the rock check dams in the burned micro‐catchments, although improving many key plant and soil characteristics, did not sharply change the hydrological, geomorphological and ecological conditions compared with those of the non‐regulated catchments.

Sugarcane cultivation as a major surface source of sediment in catchments from a coastal zone of Pernambuco, Brazil

ABSTRACT Identifying sediment sources is fundamental for protecting and improving soil and water quality. Conventional fingerprinting studies have often collected sediments at the overall watershed outlet only, resulting in an important spatial scale dependency. This study aimed to identify and to assess the delivery patterns of sediment sources within three priority sub-catchments (Sapocaji, Piedade and Minas) located in the downstream portion of the Ipojuca River watershed in Brazil. This research would build on understanding sediment sources in the studied watershed by elucidating source type contributions on a sub-catchment basis. Both bed and suspended sediment samples were collected in these sub-catchments, and two types of sources were sampled: surface and subsurface sources. A total of 21 geochemical tracers were measured. The tracers were evaluated for their conservation and discriminatory ability (Kruskal-Wallis test and linear discriminant analysis), and the best set of tracers was selected for source apportionment modeling using MixSIAR. Surface (i.e., sugarcane croplands) sources contributed the highest to suspended sediments in the Piedade and Minas sub-catchments. There was a difference in the quality of riverbank management, which helped explain contrasts in the importance of this source. Overall, sub-catchment-specific sediment control management measures, such as the revegetation of riparian forests, need to be implemented, mainly in the Sapocaji sub-catchment. These results underscore the importance of connectivity for surface source contributions.

Presence of Frozen Fringe Impacts Soft‐Bedded Slip Relationship

AbstractGlaciers and ice streams flowing over sediment beds commonly have a layer of ice‐rich debris adhered to their base, known as a “frozen fringe,” but its impact on basal friction is unknown. We simulated basal slip over granular beds with a cryogenic ring shear device while ice infiltrated the bed to grow a fringe, and measured the frictional response under different effective stresses and slip speeds. Frictional resistance increased with increasing slip speed until it plateaued at the frictional strength of the till, closely resembling the regularized Coulomb slip law associated with clean ice over deformable beds. We hypothesize that this arises from deformation in a previously unidentified zone of weakly frozen sediments at the fringe's base, which is highly sensitive to temperature and stress gradients. We show how a rheologic model for ice‐rich debris coupled with the thermomechanics of fringe growth can account for the regularized Coulomb behavior.

Inducing mussel beds, based on an aquaculture long-line system, as nature-based solutions: Effects on seabed dynamics and benthic communities

Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer a promising path to enhance climate-resilient shorelines. For instance, the creation of mussel beds in subtidal sandy shore systems provides a versatile strategy for coastal management, reinforcing coastal defense and fostering biodiversity, ultimately strengthening the resilience and well-being of coastal communities. This study analysed the changes in seabed dynamics and surrounding benthic communities as a result of the formation of mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) using an aquaculture longline system. Therefore, a comprehensive monitoring approach at two sites characterized by distinct hydrodynamic conditions was applied over a three-year period. To assess the effects, a before/after control/impact design (BACI) was employed. Seabed dynamics were evaluated by observing mussel bed persistence, erosion/deposition, and sediment composition. The influence on the benthic community included assessments of community structure and biodiversity. Finally, the impact of mussels, hydrodynamic conditions, and their interactions on seabed dynamics and benthic communities was examined using linear mixed models (LMMs). Factors such as mussel presence, Lanice conchilega abundance, shell cover, and sediment composition played a role in shaping the distinct characteristics observed between two different sites: a site that lies at a location that is more sheltered from hydrodynamic conditions, and a second site that is exposed to higher current and wave conditions. The sheltered site exhibited higher species density, richness, biomass, and diversity compared to the exposed site. In relation to the mussel bed development, mussel patches were found at both sites (with higher occurrence at the sheltered site) in the 2nd and 3rd years (mainly in summer towards early winter). The influence of mussels on sediment deposition was noticeable at the sheltered site, albeit lacking statistical significance, suggesting their potential role in erosion/deposition mechanisms. Also, a higher proportion of very fine sand was observed in the mussel bed compared to the bare sand. However, due to the absence of higher-density permanent mussel beds and irregular sedimentation/erosion patterns throughout the study period, no significant effect of the mussel beds on the community structure or diversity was found. In order to achieve a sustained and dense mussel bed and maximize the potential impact of mussels in combating climate change (e.g., shore protection and biodiversity enrichment), additional measures to increase coastal resilience against harsh hydrodynamic conditions may be necessary.

Flow rate influence on sediment depth estimation in sewers using temperature sensors.

Enhancing sediment accumulation monitoring techniques in sewers will enable a better understanding of the build-up processes to develop improved cleaning strategies. Thermal sensors provide a solution to sediment depth estimation by passively monitoring temperature fluctuations in the wastewater and sediment beds, which allows evaluation of the heat-transfer processes in sewer pipes. This study analyses the influence of the flow conditions on heat-transfer processes at the water-sediment interface during dry weather flow conditions. For this purpose, an experimental campaign was performed by establishing different flow, temperature patterns, and sediment depth conditions in an annular flume, which ensured steady flow and room-temperature conditions. Numerical simulations were also performed to assess the impact of flow conditions on the relationships between sediment depth and harmonic parameters derived from wastewater and sediment-bed temperature patterns. Results show that heat transfer between water and sediment occurred instantaneously for velocities greater than 0.1 m/s, and that sediment depth estimations using temperature-based systems were barely sensitive to velocities between 0.1 and 0.4 m/s. A depth estimation accuracy of ±7 mm was achieved. This confirms the ability of using temperature sensors to monitor sediment build-up in sewers under dry weather conditions, without the need for flow monitoring.

Geomorphic Response to the Removal of the Ward's Mill Dam on the Watauga River, North Carolina

abstract: Though economic situations of individual dams vary, current dam removal studies largely indicate that ecological benefits of river re-connectivity may outweigh the costs of maintaining aging infrastructure. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies in certain regions of the United States, including Southern Appalachia. We used the removal of the 6-meter-high Ward's Mill Dam on the Watauga River in North Carolina to conduct a before-after/control-impact study to monitor geomorphic impacts to such removals in this understudied region with the objective of identifying changes in channel form, analyzing bed sediment characteristics, and quantifying rates of volumetric evacuation and deposition. To capture geomorphic change repeated pre- and post-removal cross-sectional surveys, longitudinal profiles, and in-situ particle size sampling was conducted in upstream and downstream reaches. Field collections the day after removal show significant deposition of gravel sized particles immediately downstream of the dam (≤200 m). Channel bed texture remains significantly finer across the 2 km downstream study reach 506 days following removal. Erosion rates of the impoundment during the deconstruction period were on average ~860 m3/day and decreased to 75.5 m3/day by day 74. Below average mean daily flows during this period were able to exhume ~62.9 percent of impounded sediment.

Phosphorus Fractionation in Bed Sediment of a River Confluence of Huaihe River Basin, China

Phosphorus Fractionation in Bed Sediment of a River Confluence of Huaihe River Basin, China

Hydrodynamics of Meander Chute Cutoffs in Microtidal Mudflats

AbstractRiver cutoffs and oxbow lakes represent ubiquitous features in alluvial plains, shaped by unidirectional meandering flow. Extensive studies have been conducted on these features as their presence immediately decreases meander sinuosity and plays a significant role in the long‐term eco‐morphodynamic and sedimentary evolution of landscapes they carved in. In contrast, limited attention has been given to meander cutoffs formed in tidal environments by bidirectional currents, and the corresponding hydrodynamical processes within these features are poorly understood. Here, we present new, first‐handed hydroacoustic data collected through a series of fixed‐point and cross‐sectional flow measurements along a chute cutoff located in the microtidal Diaokou Mudflat, the Yellow River Delta, China. The investigated cutoff bend displays higher hydrologically active than the newly‐formed chute channel at low tide, whereas the chute channel gradually become the main conduit for tidal flow propagation with water stage increasing. Specifically, poorly‐developed flow separation zones are compensated by widespread secondary circulation cells that are more pronounced under the influence of turbulences and complex bedforms rather than channel curvatures. Unlike fluvial cutoffs, which tend to be hydrologically disconnected to parent channels by coarse‐grained bed sediment plugging near the entrances, our study case is characterized by the absence of plug bars and widespread bank slumps instead. Consequently, our results support earlier suggestions that tidal cutoffs seldom disconnect from parent channels due to frequent overbank events and flow confluences, which can keep cutoffs active by flushing away fine‐grained, cohesive sediments, especially in mudflat systems.

Mixed response of trace element concentrations in fluvial sediments to a flash flood in a former mining area

BackgroundFloods, especially flash floods, are the major transporting agent for fluvial sediments, whose pollution is a global concern. As floods result in the dispersion of and exposure to these sediments, a profound understanding of sedimentary dynamics during flood events and the related pollutant dispersion is of relevance. However, the characteristics of extreme flood events concerning pollutant dynamics are insufficiently known so far.ResultsIn a Central European catchment impacted by intense industrial activities and former mining, over the course of five years, we surveyed six high-discharge events, five of them approx. bankfull discharge and one major flash flood event, supplemented by sampling of bank sediments. Fluvial sediments were analyzed for elemental composition by X-Ray fluorescence and for grain size distribution of the fine faction by laser diffraction. By applying a local enrichment factor, trace metal(loid) signatures in these sample sets were compared. Furthermore, Positive Matrix Factorization was used to investigate the trace metal(loid)s’ sources.The sediments deposited by minor flooding had continual trace metal(loid) signatures. However, for the extreme event, significant divergencies arose and persisted for the following years: The enrichment of anthropogenically influenced elements increased, with a slowly decreasing trend in the subsequent two years. Naturally dominated metal(oid)s decrease in enrichment without indicating a return to original levels. In contrast, other elements were insensitive to the extreme event. Positive Matrix Factorization identified anthropogenic influences in elements originating from copper and lead processing and mining activities. Furthermore, bed sediments and a natural background factor were found to dominate the non-anthropogenically influenced metal(loid)s.ConclusionsIn between extreme events, winnowing processes slowly alter the elemental composition of bed sediments. The depletion of such sediments due to the flash flood proves catchment-wide flushing, which induces a natural resetting of the geochemical signals. This ability to renew is an integral part of resilience in fluvial systems. This mechanism is disturbed by industrial activities in floodplains. The exceptional flooding reaches infrastructure that is assumed to be safe and, therefore, unprotected. These additional sources can shift flood sediments’ trace metal(loid) signature, which has a long-lasting impact on the catchment sediments. However, the modifications depend on the flooding extent, possible emitters, and protection measures.

The Encke comet impact/airburst and the Younger Dryas Boundary: Testing the impossible hypothesis (YDIH)

Many have tagged the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis (YDIH), a supposition, lacking convincing evidence in support. The core of criticism lies squarely on uniformitarianism, that is, uniform processes moving uniformly with no room for catastrophic events, specifically cosmic catastrophic forces. Beyond philosophically based aversion to the YDIH, specific criticism comes from megafauna and archaeologic corners, related to the near coeval disappearance of specific Late Pleistocene species on the one hand, and relation to disruption and temporary disappearance of the Clovis people et al. on the other. The Younger Dryas geologic paradigm, originally in place with meltwater release into the Atlantic in tow, attention slowly drifted to explanation of an innocuous looking, thin (~1-3 cm), black sediment bed found in lacustrine and fluvial deposits of the American southwest, and other intercontinental places. Thus, with thin dark beds of Gubbio in mind, the quest to explain black mat (BM) beds took on a cosmic aspect, one with growing, supporting evidence on several continents. The impossible hypothesis, now the probable explanation of the Younger Dryas climatic reversal, is at center stage, set at 12.8 ka, with a burgeoning corpus of evidence its cornerstone.

Influence of large wood dynamics on flow and channel morphology in a forest stream

The riparian zone is a dynamic ecosystem formed by the interaction of aquatic and terrestrial components of rivers and serves as a source of the large wood (LW). We aimed to understand the LW dynamics and the LW influence on river morphology, sediment distribution, and flow velocity within three reaches of a low-order stream. The study was performed in a segment (770 m in length) of the Perdizes stream, located in Aparados da Serra National Park, southern Brazil. We framed the study by focusing three issues: i) the processes explaining the LW dynamics in the Araucaria Forest biome; ii) the effects of LW on the flow velocity along the study reaches, and iii) the presence of LW affecting the sediment longitudinal connectivity. The methodology consisted of: (i) collection of hydrological data (rainfall, discharge, and streamflow velocity), (ii) Perdizes stream characterization by topo-bathymetric survey and river-flow simulation with HEC-RAS 5.0.7 1D. and (iii) detailed field surveys of LW and bed sediments. The LW descriptions were performed at four moments (July 10, 2019; November 19, 2019; July 24, 2020; and December 18, 2020). Abundant LW, mainly from araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze), was observed before meanders. A notable reduction in LW volume and an increased proportion of araucaria, compared to deciduous trees, were observed within the channel. Mass balance analysis indicated fluctuations in riparian vegetation biomass, emphasizing the connectivity between vegetation and the river. Streamflow velocity decreased in LW presence, from occurrence to the margin. Bed sediment diameters were consistently smaller in cross-sections with LW presence. The accumulation of smaller sediments with LW indicated partial downstream sediment disconnectivity. HEC-RAS simulations confirmed increased LW deposition in lower velocity zones. This understanding of fluvial dynamics contributes to effective natural environment management, especially in the Araucaria Forest context.

Effects of bed pumice content on lahar erosion: An example from Changbaishan volcano, China

Understanding the erosion of sediments by lahars contributes to future modeling and hazard assessment. However, studying the erosion mechanism of lahars in the field is challenging due to their suddenness and danger. We conducted a series of experiments to investigate the erosion associated with five different bed sediments (with a volume percentage of pumice ranging from 3%–32%), four channel slopes and released flows with four different discharges. The experiments showed that a pumice content of 32% in the erodible bed induces significant changes in the flow dynamics, erosion patterns, and erosion intensity of lahars. The maximum flow depth and mean velocity of lahars are positively related to the channel slope and discharge and inversely related to the pumice content. The initial peak erosion depth appears at the front of the erodible bed or slightly downstream, with additional erosion peaks occurring in the middle and lower reaches of the bed. The maximum erosion depth shifts from downstream to upstream as the pumice content increases. The erosion intensity of lahars exhibits a positive correlation with the bed pumice content, channel slope, discharge, and shear stress. Increasing the pumice content reduces the bed resistance and enhances the collisional stress and erosion wave effect of lahars, thus intensifying erosion. The pumice upwelling and erosion wave effect result in an irregular profile in the erodible bed. A new entrainment formula for erodible bed containing pumice was developed based on flume tests and theoretical analysis. This study helps to understand the effects of bed composition on lahar erosion and provides new insights into lahar erosion mechanism.

Comparison of perlite and pumice effects on the geotechnical properties of saline silty soil

ABSTRACT This research mainly sought to evaluate the sediments of the Urmia lake bed to prevent their erosion and the possibility of improving the problematic saline fine soils in the region by the geo-polymerisation process. For this purpose, perlite and pumice materials, with pozzolanic properties and weight percentages of 3, 5, and 7, were separately mixed with soil, along with the calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) solution as a catalyst with 2%, 5%, and 7%. Then, the samples were cured for one day. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), direct shear, and consolidation tests were performed to assess the geotechnical properties of improved soil compaction. The results revealed that, compared to pumice, perlite could improve the behavioural properties of the studied soil. The inclusion of perlite and pumice, along with calcium hydroxide, increased the flexibility of the stabilised soil, as indicated by the brittleness index. Similarly, combining 3% perlite with 2% Ca(OH)2 could increase UCS at failure by 3.27 times. In addition, the mixture of 5% perlite with 7% Ca(OH)2 could enhance the shear strength by 3.3 times. Finally, combining 3% perlite with 5% calcium hydroxide reduced the swelling of the improved soil by 82%, and the consolidation settlement was decreased by 64% on average.

Experimental investigation of cohesive soil erosion and suspension caused by a Coandă-effect-based polymetallic-nodule collector

Coandă-effect-based collection stands out as the foremost technology in polymetallic-nodule mining due to the absence of direct contact between the collector and the ocean floor. Yet, this collection method disturbs the ocean floor, and minimizing such disturbance is crucial from an environmental viewpoint. To this end, a solid understanding of the interplay between the collector and the sediment bed is required. Therefore, we carried out a series of small-scale experiments, where a collector drives over a subaqueous clayey bed. These experiments provide the very first quantitative data on cohesive sediment erosion caused by a moving Coandă-effect-based collector, as well as on turbidity currents generated behind the collector head. This paper discusses the observations and findings derived from these experiments. Our findings reveal a logarithmic relationship between erosion depth and the flow impinging force applied on the clayey bed. An increased flow rate in the collection duct results in a slower turbidity current generated behind the collector head. This study enhances the ability to forecast sediment erosion caused by Coandă-effect-based collectors, offering the possibility to optimize the collector operational conditions and minimize the magnitude of the resulting sediment plumes.

Impacts of riverbed aggradation on groundwater regime in a lowland area

Abstract In this study, the influence of riverbed silting on the groundwater regime in a lowland area was investigated. The study area is situated at the Rye Island (Žitný Ostrov) in Slovakia, along the Gabčíkovo – Topoľníky canal, which is part of the drainage-irrigation canal system constructed in this locality. The Rye Island is an area with very low slope (0.25 10–4) and good climatic conditions for aquatic vegetation, therefore the canals are influenced by intensive silting processes. The spatial and temporal patterns of surface water – groundwater exchange are significantly influenced by the thickness of riverbed sediments and their permeability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the thickness and hydraulic conductivity of bed sediments in the Gabčíkovo – Topoľníky canal and to examine their influence on the groundwater – surface water interaction in the area. The hydraulic conductivity of the sediments was assessed from undisturbed samples by the falling head method. The obtained data were used for numerical simulations of groundwater heads by the TRIWACO model for different drainage and infiltration resistance conditions in the area of interest. The results of this study can support the planning of canal maintenance.

Abiotic origins of self‐organized ridge‐runnel patterns on tidal flats

AbstractStriking large‐scale spatial patterns in ecosystems, generated by self‐organization through biotic and abiotic feedback processes, influence ecosystem functioning and response to global environmental change. A remarkable example of this are the regular ridge‐runnel patterns found on tidal flats, which play an important role in mudflat‐marsh transitions. Yet the mechanisms driving their formation, and whether they are abiotic or biotic in origin, have not been elucidated. The underlying mechanisms are unraveled in this study through a combination of field measurements and targeted laboratory experiments. In the field, we find that on the ridges of the pattern, the sediment bed level is less dynamic and more resistant to erosion than in the runnels. In laboratory flume experiments, we find that erosion‐resistant surfaces, like those found on the ridges, can arise on time scales of hours to days due to the drying of the cohesive sediment bed, while this is prevented in waterlogged sediments in runnels. A disturbance‐recovery experiment on benthic algae then confirms that biological processes require a longer developmental period than the time scale at which we have observed drying‐induced erosion resistance to develop. Together, these results demonstrate that ridge‐runnel patterns begin from an abiotic initiation point that can subsequently provide a template for further biological establishment and self‐organization. Recognition of abiotic processes as catalysts of self‐organization can improve our understanding of ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

Advances in Limnogeology: The lake‐basin‐type model revisited 25 years after…anomalies, conundrums and upgrades

AbstractThe lake‐basin‐type model classified the stratigraphic record of ancient lake systems according to rates of potential accommodation relative to sediment + water supply. The model convolved all modes and paths of water supply (direct fall, surficial, subsurface) with amounts and types of sediment supply (clastic, biogenic, chemical) into a single basin‐filling volume term (sediment + water); its major strength was its widespread applicability. This was supported by subsequent investigations confirming the utility of this approach, but it also revealed some important limitations due to simplifications in the original model. The model has been expanded here to address all inland waters (lakes, ponds, wetlands, playas) as well as adding two major subdivisions of the sediment + water term: (1) water supply paths and (2) the volume of water supply relative to sediment supply. Water supply flow paths in the subsurface are subdivided into ‘throughflow’, ‘recharge’ and ‘discharge’. Each of these groundwater hydrology states can be defined quite precisely by the ratio of net outflow to inflow, from persistently open to consistently closed. These paths can be deciphered using stable carbonate and oxygen isotope composition of primary lacustrine limestones, detailed sedimentology, stratigraphy, palaeontology and mineralogy. Distinguishing water supply paths provides additional insights into playa systems and the occurrence and character of evaporites and carbonates. The volume ratio of water to sediment supply most directly influences the water depths of lakes, ponds and wetlands, which affect water body hydrodynamics and ecosystem behaviour as well as the details of stratal stacking and depositional sequences. It helps fine‐tune estimates of the distribution of sediment texture, bedding, composition and organic matter content. The aim of this contribution is to address questions about the fundamental types of inland water bodies and to explain the new lake‐basin subtypes and provide examples that illustrate their potential to enable higher‐resolution, robust analysis of inland water systems and their stratigraphic records.