Meandering Channel Research Articles

Human interventions alter meandering channels evolution: Insights from the inner bank scouring and outer bank deposition in the Jingjiang Reach after the operation of the Three Gorges Dam

Geomorphic abnormal responses of consecutive river bends to human activities, such as reservoir constructions and bank protection projects, have not been understood sufficiently. Based on the measured hydrological and topographic data, and remote sensing data, we investigated the morphological adjustments of 17 typical consecutive bends with different curvatures (the ratio of bend width B and bend radius R at the bend apex ranging from 0.22 to 1.96) in the Jingjiang Reach after the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) (2004–2021). The results show that these bends generally experienced inner bank scouring (IBS) and outer bank deposition (OBD). The distance to the dam affects the mechanism of IBS, from being primarily controlled by the water scouring intensity near the dam to the bend curvature and the regime adjustment of the upstream bend. Our results also show that the locations of IBS and OBD in the bends are related to the bend curvature. In sharp bends (B/R > 0.5), IBS occurs in the upper half of the bend, accompanied by OBD near the bend apex. In moderate bends (B/R ≤ 0.5), IBS occurs throughout the whole bend, with OBD near the bend entrance. A higher curvature bend tends to experience greater scouring of the inner bank near the bend apex. Moreover, the effect of upstream bends on downstream bends is revealed. In response to IBS and OBD in the upstream bend, the thalweg at the entrance shifts towards the inner bank, further promoting IBS in the downstream bend. OBD in the downstream bend is intensified by the residual reverse circulation of upstream bend. The results of this study can enhance the understanding of the evolution of meandering rivers in response to human activities, and may serve as a rational reference for managing the meandering rivers downstream of cascade reservoirs.

Quantitative appraisal of tectonically-influenced hydrocarbon-bearing Late-Cretaceous fluvial depositional system, Southwest Pakistan using spectral waveform-based instantaneous lateral thickness variability static simulations

Quantitative seismic reservoir characterization is one of the finest advancements in seismic technologies for sub-surface exploration of fluvial depositional systems (FDSS). These FDSS energy resources are combinations of thinly distributed gas-bearing trapping configurations such as the meander sandy channels (CH) along with aggradational parasequences (PBARS) of transgressive system tract (TST), which are developed during the extensive rise of sea-level followed by the rigorous standstill, and hence, which fills the PBARS and CH stratigraphic traps with possible hydrocarbons due to vertical and lateral changes in the facies. These thin-bedded CH and PBARS are very sensitive to a certain frequency component, which bandlimited seismic amplitudes (product of density and velocity) fail to quantify the paleo-thickness, paleo-velocities, paleo-densities, paleo-inclinations, paleo-geomorphology, vertical and lateral extents etc. of the stratigraphic traps. These parameters provide deep insights for quantitative-based stratigraphic reservoir characterizations. This study utilizes the spectral acoustic waveform seismic components and broadband spectrally-decomposed acoustic spectral waveform-based instantaneous lateral thickness variability static simulations (SLTRS) to quantify the FDSS of Southwest Pakistan. The 9–57 Hz bandwidth processed frequency volume reveals a poor tuning frequency component of 28 Hz and lateral extent of the stratigraphic, which failed to predict the direct geomorphology of PBARS and CH. 43-Hz spectral waveform could reveal the geomorphology with parallel-to-wavy seismic reflections (SRCS) for indicating the presence of meandering channels and PBARS. However, this attribute failed to predict the stratigraphic pinch-out zones and exact paleo-inclination of the PBARS and CH. The SLTRS have resolved the parallel-to-wavy SRCS with seismic sedimentological constraints, i.e., lithology-impedance contrast, phase of hydrocarbon generation, tuning frequencies, and thickness of the stratigraphic reservoir configurations, which implicates the channels systems at the shelf position of the basin. These attributes were unable to be predicted using the bandlimited seismic amplitudes. The SLTRS have simulated the gas zone with 2.921 gm./c.c simulated gas density [SGD], 7880 m/s simulated gas velocity [SGV], 19–25 m simulated gas thickness [SGT], and 1° simulated inclination of PBARS, which implicates the high sinuosity CH and PBARS stratigraphic trap [SAS]. Similarly, for transgressive-to-retrogradational sealing configurations, SLTRS have resolved 2.864 gm./c.c [SGD], 7365 [m/s] [SGV], 12–14 m simulated seal thickness [SST], and >2° inclination, which implicates the transgressive seal. The vertical and lateral extend of the stratigraphic trap was 16 m (proximal locations) (eastern margins) to 60 m (basin wards) (western margins) of the gas field. The quantitative uncertainty analysis between the SGD [gm./c.c], SGT [m] and SGV [m/s] show a very strong R2 > 0.90 with robust sea-level trends and the development of the aggradational to retrogradational parasequences. 43 Hz spectral waveform-based SLTRS have imaged very strong lateral amplitude attenuations observed from the 2.883 to 2.864 gm./c.c [SGD], 22–21 m [SGT] on inverted density simulations, 7535–7365 m/s [SGV] on inverted velocity simulations, and 19–15 m [SGT], which confirms the development of the hydrocarbon-bearing PBARS during the standstill sea-level of TST. Consequently, these stratigraphic endeavours may serve as an analogue for the worldwide exploration of FDSS with similar geology and basin configurations.

Meandering conduction channels and the tunable nature of quantized charge transport

The discovery of the quantum Hall effect has established the foundation of the field of topological condensed matter physics. An amazingly accurate quantization of the Hall conductance, now enshrined in quantum metrology, is stable against any reasonable perturbation due to its topological protection. Conversely, the latter implies a form of censorship by concealing any local information from the observer. The spatial distribution of the current in a quantum Hall system is such a piece of information, which, thanks to spectacular recent advances, has now become accessible to experimental probes. It is an old question whether the original and intuitively compelling theoretical picture of the current, flowing in a narrow channel along the sample edge, is the physically correct one. Motivated by recent experiments locally imaging quantized current in a Chern insulator (Bi, Sb)[Formula: see text]Te[Formula: see text] heterostructure [Rosen et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 246602 (2022); Ferguson et al., Nat. Mater. 22, 1100-1105 (2023)], we theoretically demonstrate the possibility of a broad "edge state" generically meandering away from the sample boundary deep into the bulk. Further, we show that by varying experimental parameters one can continuously tune between the regimes with narrow edge states and meandering channels, all the way to the charge transport occurring primarily within the bulk. This accounts for various features observed in, and differing between, experiments. Overall, our findings underscore the robustness of topological condensed matter physics, but also unveil the phenomenological richness, hidden until recently by the topological censorship-most of which, we believe, remains to be discovered.

Study on the effect of condenser configuration of pulsating heat pipes for space applications

In this study, the effect of condenser configuration on the thermal performance of pulsating heat pipes (PHPs) for space applications is experimentally investigated. The thermal performances of a single-condenser PHP and double-condenser PHP are compared under the constraints of the same evaporator and condenser areas. The PHPs are composed of a meandering channel with 30 turns and are made of a stainless-steel tube with the inner and outer diameters of 1.0 and 1.6 mm, respectively. R-134a is used as the working fluid, and the filling ratio is varied from 30 % to 60 %. Under various experimental conditions, the thermal performances of both single- and double-condenser PHPs are examined from two perspectives. First, the thermal resistances of the two PHPs are compared across a range of condenser temperatures from 10 to 30 °C and heat inputs from 0 to 700 W. According to the experimental observations, the double-condenser PHP exhibits a considerable reduction in thermal resistance, up to 55 % compared with the single-condenser PHP, across all the experimental conditions. Second, the operating ranges of the two PHPs are compared. For the single-condenser PHP, either an increase in the filling ratio or a decrease in the condenser temperature results in a narrower range of stable operation, with a maximum allowable heat input of approximately 200 W. On the other hand, the double-condenser PHP is mostly in the stable operating region regardless of the filling ratio or condenser temperature. Consequently, it exhibits an operating range approximately four times wider than that of the single-condenser PHP, indicating a significantly expanded range of stable operation. These improvements in thermal performance can be attributed to having the effects of doubling the number of evaporator-condenser pairs and halving the length between the evaporator and the condenser.

Generalized Langevin subdiffusion in channels: The bath always wins.

We consider subdiffusive motion, modeled by the generalized Langevin equationin an equilibrium setting, of tracer particles in channels of indefinite length in the x direction: the channels of varying width and the channels with sinusoidally meandering midline. The subdiffusion in the x direction is not affected by constraints put by the channel. This is especially astonishing for meandering channels whose centerline might be quite long. The same behavior is seen in a holonomic model of a bead on a sinusoidal and meandering wire, where some analytic insights are possible.

Investigation on the width-to-depth ratio effect on turbulent flows in a sharp meandering channel with periodic boundaries using large eddy simulations

Investigation on the width-to-depth ratio effect on turbulent flows in a sharp meandering channel with periodic boundaries using large eddy simulations

Palynological variability within the Permian (Changhsingian) Umm Irna Formation (Jordan): implications for biostratigraphy and fluid-flow character in alluvial formations

The Permian (Changhsingian) Umm Irna Formation (Jordan) yields important plant fossils that have influenced our understanding of the early evolution of plants that later dominated the vegetation of the Mesozoic. The formation was deposited in a fluvial regime characterised by the co-occurrence of stacked small-scale braided channels and of larger, higher-sinuosity channels with deposition on point bars, all intercalated into a heterogeneous background sedimentation of finer-grained floodplain deposits, including stacked crevasse-splay deposits, interspersed abandoned-channel and oxbow-lake fills, and lenses of peaty back-swamp deposits. Here, we document the remarkable compositional variability expressed in 124 palynomorph assemblages that were recovered from different argillaceous deposits in the Umm Irna Formation within a ∼2 km2 outcrop area around a major meandering channel. Our results reveal lateral and vertical variation within individual argillaceous units, as well as lateral variation between different argillaceous units in the same sedimentary complex at similar stratigraphic levels. When combined with plant macrofossil data, the results show that variability in the palynological content may be influenced mainly by two factors. The first is connectedness to the major channel; the drainage system carried a mixture of palynomorphs from across the floodplain but also from a large hinterland of tributaries draining higher parts of the floodplain and uplands beyond to the south and east. The second is the influence of local vegetation communities on the floodplain which would likely be more marked in less connected parts of the floodplain. These findings have implications for the palynological study of alluvial sequences of the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic, and for understanding the ability to identify mudstone units via palynological fingerprinting. Such individual units are of great importance as baffles to fluid flow in reservoirs that might be used for oil and gas, low-temperature geothermal energy storage, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen storage in alluvial successions.

Punctuated aggradation and flow criticality in deep water channel systems

AbstractSubmarine channels are conduits for the transfer of material to deep water by sediment gravity flows. Some channels clearly show meandering patterns in planform that have attracted comparisons with fluvial systems. Many submarine channels, however, are aggradational. Transitions from meandering (at grade) channels to aggradational channels have been described in the subsurface, from seismic data. A field example is presented here in which these meandering and aggradational states may alternate several times during the overall development of a fourth‐order sequence before the system is temporarily or permanently abandoned. This implies a change in flow state from one where successive flows behave similarly over extended periods, to one in which the flow parameters are progressively changing. The cause of these cyclic changes is unclear. The generation of sedimentary architectures so strikingly comparable to those of meandering fluvial systems provides strong evidence in favour of stably stratified, essentially two‐layer flows, in which the lower high‐density part is channel‐confined, with a normal (i.e. fluvial‐like) secondary circulation, and the upper, low‐density part extends onto the overbank regions adjacent to the channel, with minimal mixing and entrainment. Such flows are described as subcritical, in line with published experimental and numerical work, allowing that the critical Froude number in such settings may not be unity. The switch to an aggradational state may be linked to changes in flow criticality, but the ultimate driver for these alternations in flow properties remains unknown.

Hydrogeomorphology of the origin of the Amazon River, the confluence between the Marañón and Ucayali rivers

AbstractThe origin of the Amazon River is formed at the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers. Remote sensing and detailed hydrodynamics, sediment transport and bed morphology analysis under different hydrological conditions have been applied to understand the control mechanisms of the modern confluence, thus informing about ancient confluences. Results showed that: 1) meandering‐meandering confluences existed when bifurcated meandering channels from the Marañón River joined the meandering Ucayali River, 2) far‐field scale provided the boundary conditions for the near‐field scale processes. In the case of the Marañón River, the spatial frequency and displacement of incoming anabranching structures to the confluence location set the boundary conditions for the near‐field scale. In the case of the Ucayali River, the incoming hydrodynamics and bed morphology are governed by far‐field processes such as the occurrence of cutoffs, 3) high intensity secondary flows at large rivers were observed at far‐ and near‐field scales, where previous studies have reported that secondary flows are weak or nonexistence or mainly found downstream of confluences. Finally, 4) even though the Marañón River is larger compared with the Ucayali River, the confluence hydrogeomorphology is governed by the Ucayali River because of more developed and stronger secondary flows.

Conceptual study on the intensification of gas–liquid mass transfer in trickle bed reactors by the application of strut-based and novel sheet-based periodic open cellular structures (POCS)

Rapid progress in the development of additive manufacturing technology enables the production of structured reactor internals of complex geometry. To address mass transport limitations structured internals can be used in trickle bed reactors (TBRs) as the most frequently used reactor for heterogeneously catalyzed multiphase reactions. However, reactions in TBRs are frequently limited by gas–liquid mass transfer.As periodic open cellular structures (POCS) as reactor internals were not addressed regarding g–l mass transfer yet, this contribution provides first data on gas–liquid mass transfer for different types of POCS. Therefore, desorption of dissolved oxygen in water with nitrogen gas and the two-phase pressure drop were measured. Strut-based Kelvin and diamond unit cell POCS were compared to a sphere random packed bed as a benchmark. A novel sheet-based unit cell was developed realizing meandering channels demonstrating a fivefold increase in volumetric mass transfer coefficient compared to the benchmark. To compare the performance of the setup with literature data, state of the art neural network correlations were used for comparison. This proof of concept highlights the potential of additively manufactured POCS for intensified processes in trickle bed reactors, and demonstrates their versatility in application.

Bed shear stress distribution across a meander path

ABSTRACT Laboratory experimentation for bed shear stress distribution has been carried out in two sets of meandering channels. The channels have crossover angles of 110° and 60° constructed by ‘sine-generated’ curves over a flume of 4 m width. Variations in bed roughness were studied for the meandering main channel. Bed shear stress distribution across a meandering length for the 110° and 60° channels was examined for different sinuosities and roughnesses. The boundary shear stress study illustrated the position of maximum shear along the apex section and across the meandering path. These variations were observed for different flow depths. A comparison of the bed shear among the three experimental channels was conducted, and the results were analyzed.

Mechanisms and Morphological Time Scales of Avulsed Channel Process on the Modern Yellow River Delta

AbstractThe modern Yellow River Delta (YRD) has witnessed frequent channel avulsions followed by the morphological processes of “wandering‐ short‐lived braiding ‐merging” in history. However, process‐based investigation and relevant physics behind these processes remain poorly constrained. The present study complements the understanding for this evolution through numerical experiments. This is achieved by applying a two‐dimensional (2‐D) depth‐averaged fully coupled morphodynamic model that considers the feedbacks of sediment‐laden flow and bed deformation to a schematized fan‐shaped YRD. Under an uneven bed of uniform sediment, the avulsed processes of “wandering‐ short‐lived braiding ‐merging” during new channel routing on the YRD are satisfactorily reproduced by the present modelling in terms of the time evolution of planar channel pattern and channel length. Moreover, the mechanisms of the avulsed evolution have been elucidated through factor analysis on delta slope, incoming flow‐sediment conditions and artificial trenching, etc. It is suggested that morphological stability could be reached when a single meandering channel is finally sustained, of which the time scale is 4–8 years echoing the documented data of abandoned channels on the YRD. In addition, quantitative criteria have been advocated to help distinguishing the sub‐stages of the avulsed evolution together with the characteristic pattern judgement. Based on the above, implications for the YRD management are discussed.

Influence of a Meandering Channel on the Threshold of Sediment

River meanders and channel curvatures play a significant role in sediment motion, making it crucial to predict incipient sediment motion for effective river restoration projects. This study utilized an artificial intelligence method, multiple linear regression (MLR), to investigate the impact of channel curvature on sediment incipient motion at a 180-degree bend. We analyzed 42 velocity profiles for flow depths of 13, 15, and 17 cm in a laboratory flume. The results indicate that the velocity distribution was influenced by the sediment movement threshold conditions due to channel curvature, creating a distinct convex shape based on the bend’s position and flow characteristics. Reynolds stress distribution was concave in the upstream bend and convex in the downstream bend, underscoring the bend’s impact on incipient motion. Bed Reynolds stress was highest in the first half of the bend (0 to 90 degrees) and lowest in the second half (90 to 180 degrees). The critical Shields parameter at the bend was approximately 8–61% lower than the values suggested by the Shields diagram, decreasing from 0.042 at the beginning to 0.016 at the end of the bend. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the MLR method does not significantly enhance the understanding of sediment movement, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive physical rationale and an expanded dataset for studying sediment dynamics in curved channels.

Changes in the meander belt and channel pattern in the middle-low segment of the Cuarto river. Córdoba. Argentina

The Cuarto River is an important watercourse in the Córdoba Province, Argentina. Its middle-low segment crosses the eastern plains of this province, one of the most populated and (agricultural-livestock) productive regions of the country. In this segment, the channel and fluvial belt morphometric parameters exhibit notable changes downstream. Understanding the morphodynamics of the Cuarto River allows the characterization and definition of channel reach with tendencies towards migration, aggradation and overflow. In this way, it is possible to identify critical channel reaches, a fundamental aspect for effective planning. This work aims to characterize the downstream changes in the fluvial belt, meanders geometry, channel pattern and channel slope, along the middle-low segment of the Cuarto River and link these modifications with authigenic (sediment supply and transport regime) and allogenic controls. Five channel reaches (R1-R5) were selected according to geological-geomorphological criteria and different geometric parameters (channel width, channel slope, braided index, meander geometry, confinement degree) were determined for each of them. Empirical equations were used to establish relationships between these geometric parameters. Although most parameters showed a generally downward trend towards downstream reaches, marked changes were observed. Particularly, in the R1-R2 reaches, the fluvial belt widens and is unconfined, and the channel width and braided index also increases. The relationship between meander length/channel width (Lm/w) and radius of curvature/channel width (rc/w) obtained were within the ranges for free meanders (8–14) and high mobility (2–3), respectively. These parameter values are associated with alluvial channels and suggest limitations in transport and conditions for sedimentation. However, in R3, R4 and R5, the fluvial belt narrows and becomes confined, with high sinuosity, a reduction in the width of the channel and the braiding index. This pattern is expected for reaches characterized by predominance of transport and a tendency to a mixed or suspensive load. Moreover, both groups of reaches also exhibit an abrupt contrast in bedload size (from very coarse sand/gravel in R1 and R2 to fine/very fine sand in R3, R4, and R5). The similarity between the exponents of the predictive functions (Lm/w, rc/w, and Lm/rc) and those obtained for the Cuarto River, in addition to the satisfactory regression coefficients of the measured parameters suggest an acceptable balance between meander geometry and channel width regime of sediment transport. The middle-low reach of the Cuarto River shows notable changes, which can be linked to regional-scale allogenic factors such as morphostructures and lithology (R1-R2 with elevated morphostructure, R3-R4 are transitional reaches towards depressed plains, while R5 with subsidence environments). Nonetheless, the river demonstrates the capacity to regulate these factors at the reach level through authigenic processes. Thus the variability of channel width, channel slope, braiding index, meander geometry and degree of confinement are explained mainly by downstream changes in sediment supply and transport regime (authigenic controls) and secondarily by changes in regional slope and banks lithology (allogeneic controls).

Meandering streamflows across landscapes and scales: a review and discussion

The study of meandering patterns created by geophysical flows is important for a number of fundamental and applied research topics, including stream and wetland restoration, land management, infrastructure design, oil exploration and production, carbon sequestration, flood-hazard mitigation and planetary palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. This volume, Meandering Streamflows: Patterns and Processes across Landscapes and Scales , contains 13 papers that present field, laboratory and numerical investigations of meandering channels found in distinct environmental and geological contexts and focus on how the interactions of different autogenic and allogenic processes, both in the horizontal and the vertical dimension, affect meander kinematics and the resulting morphology, sedimentology and stratigraphic architecture. In this introductory chapter, we offer an overview of the evolution of scientific research on meandering streams over time, aiming to review and discuss meandering patterns in both fluvial and non-fluvial settings. Additionally, we present a new compilation of data on meander morphological features, drawn from both existing literature and novel sources, encompassing over 8000 meander bends discovered across a diverse array of environments.

MODERN PROCESSES IN THE BEADED CHANNELS OF STEPPE RIVERS OF THE KHOPER-BUZULUK PLAIN

Beaded-shaped channels (or chain-of-ponds), characterized by alternating lake-like extensions and narrow runs, are widespread on small rivers of the steppe zone of Russia. Extensions of channels - beads (pools or ponds), with a depth of up to 5-6 m, are of great importance for cattle breeding, providing a watering place during the dry periods of the year, when the flow of small rivers stops. However, the mechanisms of their specific channel shape formation are still debatable: it is explained by uneven siltation of channels, formation of whirlpools, groundwater discharge, karst processes or relict thermokarst. The aim of the study was to assess the role of water flow in the formation and support of the beaded shape of river channels. The tasks were to reveal the hydrological regime of the Kardail and Kupava rivers, determine the hydrodynamics of the flow in beads and runs, describe the characteristics of erosion and accumulation processes and the sediment transport, as well as to identify relict elements of the channel and floodplain structure that do not correspond to modern water state. Water flow of the studied rivers shows a long-term decrease in snowmelt flood, as evidenced by the rare flooding of the high-level floodplain, low rates of bank dynamics, and the discrepancy between the size of meanders and the width of the channel. The annual sediment load of the studied beaded rivers is low, estimated at 6,05 t/km2 in 2023. The reason is a low supply of sediments from the catchment area and low rates of erosion of channel bed and banks built of clay and silt. The present-day dynamics of water flow do not help the deepening and expansion of the beads. The flow reaches maximum speed (up to 1-1,3 m/s) in channel runs, while in channel extensions flow speeds drop to 0-0,3 m/s, supporting the sediment accumulation, despite the presence of whirlpools. A significant part of channel extensions is located on sites of former pools of the ancient meandering channel, inherited by the modern watercourse. On the former riffles the channel narrowed and a low-level floodplain was formed. Deep channel extensions were preserved due to the low sediment load and its fine composition, which prevents its rapid settling from the suspension. The results of the study suggest possible contribution of other factors to the formation of original deep pools, including the cryogenic ones.

The deployment of spur dike group improves physical habitats in urban meandering rivers: Insight from a 2D habitat suitability model

Although channel meandering is currently a popular approach for river ecological restoration, the spiral flow formed in bends may lead to fragmentation of aquatic habitats due to the concave bank erosion and convex bank sedimentation. The aforementioned issue motivated this study, which aims to mitigate the adverse effects of curved flow on aquatic habitats within bends. We proposed a placement strategy of dike group within the curved channel to adjust the water–sediment structure of meandering rivers, thereby safeguarding against bank erosion and the fragmentation of river habitats. The effectiveness of this strategy has been validated by the development of numerical models based on 2D depth-averaged water–sediment equations, coupled with the IFIM method. These models investigate the mechanism of aquatic habitat enhancement achieved by deploying groups of submerged and non-submerged dikes on the convex and concave banks of the Fuhe River in Chengdu, China. The findings indicate that the implementation of dike groups resulted in an enhancement of approximately 30% in the weighted usable area (WUA) of the specific river. This improvement was accompanied by a 25% decrease in the ecological flow threshold (WUAmax). Furthermore, subsequent comprehensive comparative analyses under various conditions revealed that the fluctuations in enhancement effects were mitigated by flow increases. The degree of submergence parameter exhibits heightened sensitivity to enhancement effects, especially when the flow remains below the ecological threshold. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for the ecological restoration of river systems.

Morphodynamics of meandering channels in non-vegetated monsoon-driven tidal flats in South Korea

To understand complex channel meandering dynamics and shape evolution in tidal flats, we analyzed tidal stream migration characteristics in the non-vegetated Gochang tidal flat over 9 years using Google Earth imagery. Large channels with tens of meters stream width migrated furthest, followed by creeks and small gullies with less than a meter of width. While annual migration speeds were fastest in large channels, normalizing by channel width revealed an opposite trend: small gullies migrated the fastest relative to their size, while large channels migrated the slowest. This unique pattern, compared to vegetated tidal flats, is likely driven by the interaction of three factors: (1) the non-vegetated Gochang flat's weak sediment cohesion, especially in the fine-grained upper intertidal zone; (2) strong hydraulic forces from typhoons and storms; and (3) the significant particle size gradient between upper and lower zones. The efficient reworking and re-deposition even in large channels highlight the importance of considering dynamic tidal migration as an advection term alongside bioturbation. This is crucial for sedimentological and biogeochemical studies, including tidal flat sedimentation rate calculations and carbon cycle research.

The effect of emergent vegetation on flow, bedload transport, and bed morphology in a diffluence-confluence unit on a meandering channel

A diffluence-confluence unit on a meandering channel, coupled with the broadening of the divergence zone and meander circulation, promotes sediment deposition on the convex bank, forming shoals to stimulate vegetation growth, which results in water level elevation, velocity reduction, and bank stabilization. Despite these significant impacts, current research on the influence of this channel remains limited. This study conducts a series of flume experiments to quantify the influence of vegetation in a such channel on flow hydraulics, bedload transport, and bed morphology, and their inter-links. The results reveal that increased vegetation cover density subtly influences the flow depth in straight inlet reaches, triggers higher flow depth and fluctuations in the left anabranch, and induces uneven velocity distribution, especially below the crest of the curved channel. Centrifugal forces and vegetation-induced water levels shape the transverse water surface slope, resulting in a downward concave trend and unique slopes within each anabranch. The bedload transport capacity rapidly increases until an armoring layer forms, a process expedited by vegetation, particularly in high discharge conditions. This vegetation effect, amplified with higher density, enhances bedload transport rate and size but is lessened by increased discharge, which also reduces fluctuations during armoring layer formation. The statistical parameters of bed morphology at the grain-scale and structure-form-scale indicate that denser vegetation reshapes erosion dynamics across anabranches, intensifying downstream scouring and propelling the sediment deposition zone, especially under high discharge. Furthermore, the flow bifurcation ratio intensifies with escalating vegetation cover density and is assessed by a modified model consider vegetation effects with heightened precision. The apex scour depth downstream of the unit, induced by the confluence of water from both anabranches, can be characterized as a function of the dimensionless discharge and vegetation density. Concurrently, a refined model for bedload transport rate, influenced by the turbulent kinetic energy arising from emergent vegetation in this intricate reach, is proposed with high accuracy.

A Flow‐Curvature‐Based Model for Channel Meandering in Tidal Marshes

AbstractChannel meandering is ubiquitous in tidal marshes, yet it is either omitted or weakly implemented in morphodynamic models. Here we propose a novel numerical method to simulate channel meandering in tidal marshes on a Cartesian grid. The method calculates a first‐order flow by considering the balance between pressure gradient and bed friction. To account for flow momentum shift toward meander outer banks, the flow is empirically modified. Unlike previous simplified methods that relied on the curvature of the bank, this modification is based on the curvature of the flow, making the model suitable for use in dendritic channel networks. The modified flow intrinsically accounts for the topographic steering effect, which tends to deflect the momentum toward the outer bank. As a result, the outer bank becomes steeper and erodes due to soil creep. Additionally, the outer bank experiences erosion proportional to the flow curvature. This mechanism parameterizes the direct erosion caused by flow impacting the bank through a proportionality coefficient, which modulates the rate of channel lateral migration. Deposition on the inner bank is automatically simulated by the model, triggered by reduced bed shear stress in that area. The model accurately reproduces channel lateral migration and sinuosity development, and associated processes such as meander cutoffs, channel piracies, and network reorganizations. The model provides an efficient tool for predicting marsh landscape evolution from decades to millennia, and will enable exploring how lateral migration and meandering of tidal channels affect marsh ecomorphodynamics, carbon and nutrient cycling, drainage efficiency, and pond dynamics.