Sediment Exchange Research Articles

Remote sensing retrieval of surface suspended sediment concentration in the Yellow River Estuary

Accurate assessment of surface suspended sediment concentration (SSSC) in estuary is essential to address several important issues: erosion, water pollution, human health risks, etc. In this study, an empirical cubic retrieval model was developed for the retrieval of SSSC from Yellow River Estuary. Based on sediments and seawater collected from the Yellow River and southeastern Laizhou Bay, SSSC conditions were reproduced in the laboratory at increasing concentrations within a range common to field observations. Continuous spectrum measurements of the various SSSCs ranging from 1 to 5700 mg/l were carried out using an AvaField-3 spectrometer. The results indicated the good correlation between water SSSC and spectral reflectance (R (rs)) was obtained in the spectral range of 726-900 nm. At SSSC greater than 2700 mg/L, the 740-900 nm spectral range was less susceptible to the effects of spectral reflectance saturation and more suitable for retrieval of high sediment concentrations. The best correlations were obtained for the reflectance ratio of 820 nm to 490 nm. Informed by the correlation between R (rs) and SSSC, a retrieval model was developed (R (2) = 0.992). The novel cubic model, which used the ratio of a near-infrared (NIR) band (740-900 nm) to a visible band (400-600 nm) as factors, provided robust quantification of high SSSC water samples. Two high SSSC centers, with an order of 10(3) mg/l, were found in the inversion results around the abandoned Diaokou River mouth, the present Yellow River mouth to the abandoned Qingshuigou River mouth. There was little sediment exchange between the two high SSSC centers due to the directions of the residual currents and vertical mixing.

The effect of tides and storms on the sediment transport across a Dutch barrier island

AbstractUnder natural conditions, barrier islands might grow vertically and migrate onshore under the influence of long‐term sea level rise. Sediment is transported onshore during storm‐induced overwash and inundation. However, on many Dutch Wadden Islands, dune openings are closed off by artificial sand‐drift dikes that prevent the influx of sediment during storms. It has been argued that creating openings in the dune row to allow regular flooding on barrier islands can have a positive effect on the sediment budget, but the dominant hydrodynamic processes and their influence on sediment transport during overwash and inundation are unknown. Here, we present an XBeach model study to investigate how sediment transport during overwash and inundation across the beach of a typical mesotidal Wadden Sea barrier island is influenced by wave, tide and storm surge conditions. Firstly, we validated the model XBeach with field data on waves and currents during island inundation. In general, the XBeach model performed well. Secondly, we studied the long‐term sediment transport across the barrier island. We distinguished six representative inundation classes, ranging from frequently occurring, low‐energy events to infrequent, high‐energy events, and simulated the hydrodynamics and sediment transport during these events. An analysis of the model simulations shows that larger storm events cause larger cross‐shore sediment transport, but the net sediment exchange during a storm levels off or even becomes smaller for the largest inundation classes because it is counteracted by larger mean water levels in the Wadden Sea that oppose or even reverse sediment transport during inundation. When taking into account the frequency of occurrence of storms we conclude that the cumulative effect of relatively mild storms on long‐term cross‐shore sediment transport is much larger than that of the large storm events. © 2017 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Recent increase of river–floodplain suspended sediment exchange in a reach of the lower Amazon River

AbstractWe analyzed variation of channel–floodplain suspended sediment exchange along a 140 km reach of the lower Amazon River for two decades (1995–2014). Daily sediment fluxes were determined by combining measured and estimated surface sediment concentrations with river–floodplain water exchanges computed with a two‐dimensional hydraulic model. The average annual inflow to the floodplain was 4088 ± 2017 Gg yr−1 and the outflow was 2251 ± 471 Gg yr−1, respectively. Prediction of average sediment accretion rate was twice the estimate from a previous study of this same reach and more than an order of magnitude lower than an estimate from an earlier regional scale study. The amount of water routed through the floodplain, which is sensitive to levee topography and increases exponentially with river discharge, was the main factor controlling the variation in total annual sediment inflow. Besides floodplain routing, the total annual sediment export depended on the increase in sediment concentration in lakes during floodplain drainage. The recent increasing amplitude of the Amazon River annual flood over two decades has caused a substantial shift in water and sediment river–floodplain exchanges. In the second decade (2005–2014), as the frequency of extreme floods increased, annual sediment inflow increased by 81% and net storage increased by 317% in relation to the previous decade (1995–2004). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Influence of spur dike on hydrodynamic exchange between channel and shoal of generalization estuary in physical model test

Widely applied in maintaining estuarial waterway depth, the spur dike has played an important role in currents and sediment exchange between channel and shoal and sediment back-silting in the channel. Through establishing a generalized physical model at a bifurcated estuary and conducting current tests under the joint action of runoff and tide, the influence of the spur dike length on current exchange between channel and shoal is analyzed. Results show that when the spur dike length reaches a certain value, the direction of the flow velocity shear front between the channel and shoal will change. The longer the spur dike, the larger the transverse fluctuating velocity at the peak of flood in the channel shoal exchange area, while the transport of the transverse hydrodynamics is obvious in the process of flood. There is an optimum length of spur dike when the shear stress in the channel and the longitudinal velocity in flood and ebb reach the maximum, and the flow velocity will decrease when the spur dike length is smaller or larger than the optimum. For a certain length of spur dike, the larger the channel shoal elevation difference, the larger the peak longitudinal flow velocity in the middle of the navigation channel in flood and ebb. However, the transverse flow velocity will first decrease and then increase. The transverse transportation is obvious when the channel shoal elevation difference increases.

The Thrace Basin and the Black Sea: the Eocene–Oligocene marine connection

AbstractThe Late Cretaceous – Recent West Black Sea Basin and the Eocene–Oligocene Thrace Basin are separated by the Strandja arch comprising metamorphic and magmatic rocks. Since Late Cretaceous time the Strandja arch formed a palaeo-high separating the two basins which accumulated clastic sediment of >9 km thickness. During late Eocene – early Oligocene time the marine connection between these basins existed through the Çatalca gap west of Istanbul. The Çatalca gap lies on the damage zone of a major Cretaceous strike-slip fault; it formed a 15 km wide marine gateway, where carbonate-rich sediments of thicknessc.350 m were deposited. The sequence consists of upper Eocene shallow marine limestones (SBZ18-20) overlain by upper Eocene – lower Oligocene (P16-P19 zones) pelagic marl with a rich fauna of planktonic foraminifera; the marls are intercalated with 31–32 Ma acidic tuff and calc-arenite beds. The Çatalca gap is bounded in the west by a major normal fault, which marks the eastern boundary of the Thrace Basin. Seismic reflection profiles, well data and zircon U–Pb ages indicate that the Thrace Basin sequence west of the fault is late Eocene – middle Oligocene (37–27 Ma) in age and that the fault has accommodated 2 km of subsidence. Although there was a marine connection between the West Black Sea and Thrace basins during late Eocene – early Oligocene time, no significant exchange of clastic sediment took place. Sedimentation in the Çatalca gap ended abruptly during early Oligocene time by uplift, and this eventually led to the paralic conditions in the Thrace Basin.

Reinterpretation of the Quaternary sedimentary infill of the Ría de Vigo, NW Iberian Peninsula, as a compound incised valley

Seismic data have been used to investigate the stratigraphy of the Galician rias for more than two decades. Here, we present a new interpretation of the sedimentary infill of an incised valley (Ría de Vigo, NW Iberian Peninsula), based on high-resolution seismic profiles, core sediment analysis, and radiocarbon 14C data. The new data indicate that the stratigraphic architecture of the Galician rias result from multiple incision/infill phases and, therefore, they are reclassified as compound rather than simple incised valleys. Seven seismic units were identified: one of Tertiary age (U1), four of Pleistocene age (U2–U5) which are interpreted as 4th-order sequences deposited between MIS 11 and MIS 2, and Late Pleistocene (U6) and Holocene (U7) units corresponding with post-glacial sedimentation.The sedimentary infill overlies a highly faulted irregular granitic and metamorphic basement; the inherited morphology is shown to be important for controlling the pathway and evolution of the fluvial network as well as preservation of the sedimentary deposits during several glacial/interglacial cycles. The presence of a rocky barrier at the mouth of the ria is a distinctive feature that conditions sedimentation and exchange of sediment between the ria and the adjacent shelf. For the first time, faults and tilted blocks affecting Late Pleistocene (MIS 3) deposits have been identified.The new data presented here provide the opportunity to reconstruct the evolution of the sedimentary infill of a ria, with especially high-resolution during the last post-glacial transgression.

Morphodynamic modeling of a large inside sandbar and its dextral morphology in a convergent estuary: Qiantang Estuary, China

AbstractWe investigate the evolution of a large‐scale sand body, a unique type of sandbars in a convergent estuary. Specifically, we analyze and simulate the sand deposition system (defined as an inside bar) in the Qiantang Estuary (QE) in China. The deposit is 130 km long and up to 10 m thick and is characterized by a dextral morphology in the lower QE. Numerical simulation is carried out using an idealized horizontal 2‐D morphodynamic model mimicking the present QE settings. Our results indicate that the morphological evolution is controlled by the combination of river discharge and tides. The seasonal and interannual cycles of river discharges play a major role on the inside bar evolution. The bar is eroding during high river discharge periods, but accretion prevails during low river discharge periods. Meanwhile, the highest part of the sand body can move downstream or upstream by several kilometers, modifying the seasonal sediment exchange patterns. We also show that the Coriolis force plays an important role on the dextral morphology patterns in wide, convergent estuaries. It induces a significant lateral water level difference and a large‐scale gyre of residual sediment transport. Subsequently, the seaward tail of the inside bar shifts southward to help create a condition for the development of tidal flats in the lower reach of the estuary. The lateral bed level differences induced by Coriolis force are up to several meters. Coriolis effects also modify the behavior of flood and ebb tidal channels.

Seasonal morphodynamics of the subaerial and subtidal sections of an intermediate and mesotidal beach

This study provides a detailed insight into the seasonal morphological evolution of the subaerial and subtidal sections of an intermediate and mesotidal beach in relation to the nearshore wave conditions. For this purpose, fortnightly−to−monthly topographic and bathymetric measurements were collected on Ensenada Beach (Baja California, Mexico) from November 2012 to February 2016. Wave data were concurrently measured at 20m water depth, enabling the correlation of the observed morphological changes to the hydrodynamic forcing. The seasonal morphological variability of the beach comprised ±200,000m3 (±70m3m−1) and resulted primarily from the cross-shore exchange of sediment. The volumetric fluctuations alongshore were up to ±100,000m3 and event-driven, and played an inportant role in the overall sediment balance. In association with the incoming wave conditions, the subaerial and subtidal beach sections experienced a strong seasonal variability. The subaerial beach reached the maximum volumes in the end of summer (September−October) and minimum in winter (January−February) while the opposite response was obtained for the subtidal beach, with the largest and smallest volumes occurring during the same months in winter and summer, respectively. The morphological fluctuations of the upper and lower beach sections were associated with the preceding monthly averaged wave conditions. The subtidal volume variations were highly and positively correlated to the wave height and period, while the subaerial section was highly but negatively correlated to the same variables. The morphological beach response to energetic waves was more rapid than to low-energy conditions. The largest subaerial erosion and subtidal accretion happened in three months (October−January) while the subaerial accretion and subtidal erosion occurred smoothly over nine months (January−October). The total beach volume (subaerial and subtidal) lacked of seasonal variability, and an annual loss of 50,000m3 (17m3m−1) occurred from August 2014 to August 2015, indicating that the beach remained fairly stable over that period of time. The largest volumetric variations of 300,000m3 (105m3m−1) occurred during the beginning of the 2015–2016 El Niño winter.

Sediment exchange between groin fields and main-stream

Sediment exchange between groin fields and the main-stream influences the transport and distribution of polluted sediment that represents a hazard for rivers and neighboring floodplains. Despite its practical significance, little research has been done on the sediment exchange process itself, and existing studies used to estimate the sediment exchange by morphological change. The sediment exchange process, however, differs from morphological variation and includes two behaviors: the entrance of main-stream sediment into groin fields and the movement of groin field sediment out of groin fields. Therefore, this study aims at examining this exchange process and exploring the mechanisms of different exchange phenomena. Experiments were conducted in a mobile-bed laboratory flume by using a novel experimental method that successfully separates the movement of groin fields sediment from that of main-stream sediment. In addition to traditional measurements, such as measurements of morphological changes, surface flow velocities, and bed-form propagation, the deposition of main-stream sediment in groin fields is measured in detail. The results demonstrate that morphological change cannot reflect the sediment exchange process. The deposition of main-stream sediment in groin fields is determined by the dynamics of sediment movement, in which bedload- and suspended-sediment-dominated processes exhibit different deposition patterns. The movement of groin field sediment out of groin fields is determined mainly by local scouring around groins.

A coupled wave–current–sediment transport model for an estuarine system: Application to the Río de la Plata and Montevideo Bay

Modelling the hydrodynamics and fine-sediment dynamics in estuarine environments is important for coastal engineering design and environmental assessment. This paper presents the application of a coupled wave–current–sediment transport model to a complex estuarine system with high spatial resolution in a harbour area. The case study was the Río de la Plata, with a focus on the Montevideo Bay area. We used a bidimensional depth-averaged approach, and the sediment transport modelling focused on fine cohesive sediments. The model considers realistic forcings, allows for the simulation of complex geometries such as those present in harbour basins and is capable of providing long-term environmental simulations (on the order of several years) within reasonable computational times. The model results are in good agreement with the measured data and satisfactorily represent the main features of the flow and sediment dynamics of the Río de la Plata. The effect of the internal coupling on the hydrodynamic results is analysed, and the computational times with various coupling alternatives are discussed. The dynamics of fine sediment in Montevideo Bay were analysed based on the model results. The current-induced bottom shear stress results are relevant for representing the permanent suspended sediment concentrations, whereas the wave-induced bottom shear stress is fundamental for reproducing the main resuspension events during storm conditions. The suspended fine-sediment dynamics in the estuary are strongly controlled by the sediment exchange between the bed and water column, whereas inside Montevideo Bay, the dynamics are controlled mainly by advection of sediment originating from the nearby coastal area.

Using ANNs to analyse effects of the Three Gorges Dam on sedimentation in Dongting Lake, China

ABSTRACTSince a river system is a unidirectional network, the upstream influencing factors often interfere with those downstream. We quantify the effects of the TGD on the sediment exchange processes between the Yangtze River and Dongting Lake. Based on yearly sediment load data from 1981 to 2008, two multi-layer perceptron (MLP) models were constructed to predict the potential sedimentation in Dongting Lake without implementation of the TGD. The sediment discharge at Yichang station decreased from 622.5 to 61.1 Mt/year between 1981–1985 and 2003–2008, while the sedimentation in Dongting Lake reduced from 127.3 to 6.6 Mt/year. The MLP models indicate that only 27.9% of the decreased sediment load at Yichang station and 16.9% of that in Dongting Lake is caused by the TGD, while the rest is caused mostly by other upstream climate variations and anthropogenic impacts.EDITOR A. Castellarin;ASSOCIATE EDITORN. Ilich

The role of cross-shore tidal dynamics in controlling intertidal sediment exchange in mangroves in Cù Lao Dung, Vietnam

Mangroves are halophytic plants common in tropical and sub-tropical environments. Their roots and pneumatophores strongly affect intertidal hydrodynamics and related sediment transport. Here, we investigate the role tree and root structures may play in altering tidal currents and the effect of these currents on the development of intertidal landscapes in mangrove-dominated environments. We use a one-dimensional Delft3D model, forced using typical intertidal slopes and vegetation characteristics from two sites with contrasting slope on Cù Lao Dung within the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, to examine the vegetation controls on tidal currents and suspended sediment transport as the tides propagate into the forest. Model results show that vegetation characteristics at the seaward fringe determine the shape of the cross-shore bottom profile, with sparse vegetation leading to profiles that are close to linear, whereas with dense vegetation resulting in a convex intertidal topography. Examples showing different profile developments are provided from a variety of published studies, ranging from linear profiles in sandier sites, and distinctive convex profiles in muddier sites. As expected, profile differences in the model are caused by increased dissipation due to enhanced drag caused by vegetation; however, the reduction of flow shoreward in sparsely vegetated or non-vegetated cases was similar, indicating that shallowing of the profile and slope effects play a dominant role in dissipation. Here, tidal velocities are measured in the field using transects of Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, and confirm that cross-shore tidal currents diminish quickly as they move over the fringe of the forest; they then stay fairly consistent within the outer few 100m of the forest, indicating that the fringing environment is likely a region of deposition. An understanding of how vegetation controls the development of topography is critical to predicting the resilience of these sensitive intertidal areas to changes in inundation caused by sea-level rise.

Hydromorphological processes at submerged solitary boulder obstacles in streams

A series of 51 experiments was conducted in a laboratory flume to investigate hydromorphological processes at submerged solitary boulder-like obstacles. As part of a programme to validate the experimental results, five sites with obstacle marks at large boulders were surveyed in two gravel-bed ephemeral streams located in eastern Spain. Three hydromorphological system states (I–III) were observed, each exhibiting characteristic dynamic interactions between hydraulic and sedimentary processes: (I) wake-vortex domination and absent scouring; (II) wake-vortex domination and downstream scouring; (III) horseshoe-vortex domination, frontal scouring and ridge-like sediment accumulation at the lee-side. The latter system state (III) comprises ‘typical’ fluvial obstacle marks. In mobile alluvial beds, obstacles may tilt upstream into the scour hole when frontal scour depths exceed 0.6 times obstacle length, favouring the rapid achievement of steady state conditions (state III). Field and experimentally modelled obstacle marks are related to each other when frontal scour depth, -width and -length as well as ridge width are used as morphometric variables. An analytical model was adapted and successfully applied for determination of these variables at the steady state condition. The model was also used to assess the critical threshold for the formation of obstacle marks. It integrates mean flow velocity, water depth, obstacle height and width, obstacle shape, median grain size relative to obstacle width and grain size distribution.Dynamic interactions between hydraulic processes and sediment exchange around obstacles, together with well-defined boundaries between evolutionary states (critical thresholds), suggest a self-organised, scale-invariant mechanism driving the generation of obstacle marks.

The impact of storms and stratification on sediment transport in the Rhine region of freshwater influence

AbstractWe present measurements of along and across‐shore sediment transport in a region of the Dutch coast 10 km north of the Rhine River mouth. This section of the coast is characterized by strong vertical density stratification because it is within the midfield region of the Rhine region of freshwater influence, where processes typical of the far‐field, such as tidal straining, are modified by the passage of distinct freshwater lenses at the surface. The experiment captured two storms, and a wide range of wind, wave, tidal and stratification conditions. We focus primarily on the mechanisms leading to cross‐shore sediment flux at a mooring location in 12 m of water, which are responsible for the exchange of sediment between the nearshore and the inner shelf. Net transport during storms was directed offshore and influenced by cross‐shelf winds, while net transport during spring tides was determined by the mean state of stratification. Tidal straining dominated during neap tides; however, cross‐shore transport was negligible due to small sediment concentrations. The passage of freshwater lenses manifested as strong pulses of offshore transport primarily during spring tides. We observe that both barotropic and baroclinic processes are relevant for cross‐shore transport at depth and, since transport rates due to these competing processes were similar, the net transport direction will be determined by the frequency and sequencing of these modes of transport. Based on our observations, we find that wind and wave‐driven transport during storms tends move fine sediment offshore, while calmer, more stratified conditions move it back onshore.

SPM response to tide and river flow in the hyper-turbid Ems River

In this paper, we analyse the behaviour of fine sediments in the hyper-turbid Lower Ems River, with focus on the river’s upper reaches, a stretch of about 25 km up-estuary of Terborg. Our analysis is based on long records of suspended particulate matter (SPM) from optical backscatter (OBS) measurements close to the bed at seven stations along the river, records of salinity and water level measurements at these stations, acoustic measurements on the vertical mud structure just up-estuary of Terborg and oxygen profiles in the lower 3 m of the water column close to Leerort and Terborg. Further, we use cross-sectionally averaged velocities computed with a calibrated numerical model. Distinction is made between four timescales, i.e. the semi-diurnal tidal timescale, the spring–neap tidal timescale, a timescale around an isolated peak in river flow (i.e. about 3 weeks) and a seasonal timescale. The data suggest that a pool of fluid/soft mud is present in these upper reaches, from up-estuary of Papenburg to a bit down-estuary of Terborg. Between Terborg and Gandersum, SPM values drop rapidly but remain high at a few gram per litre. The pool of fluid/soft mud is entrained/mobilized at the onset of flood, yielding SPM values of many tens gram per litre. This suspension is transported up-estuary with the flood. Around high water slack, part of the suspension settles, being remixed during ebb, while migrating down-estuary, but likely not much further than Terborg. Around low water slack, a large fraction of the sediment settles, reforming the pool of fluid mud. The rapid entrainment from the fluid mud layer after low water slack is only possible when the peak flood velocity exceeds a critical value of around 1 m/s, i.e. when the stratified water column seems to become internally supercritical. If the peak flood velocity does not reach this critical value, f.i. during neap tide, fluid mud is not entrained up to the OBS sensors. Thus, it is not classical tidal asymmetry, but the peak flood velocity itself which governs the hyper-turbid state in the Lower Ems River. The crucial role of river flow and river floods is in reducing these peak flood velocities. During elongated periods of high river flow, in e.g. wintertime, SPM concentrations reduce, and the soft mud deposits consolidate and possibly become locally armoured as well by sand washed in from the river. We have no observations that sediments are washed out of the hyper-turbid zone. Down-estuary of Terborg, where SPM values do not reach hyper-turbid conditions, the SPM dynamics are governed by classical tidal asymmetry and estuarine circulation. Hence, nowhere in the river, sediments are flushed from the upper reaches of the river into the Ems-Dollard estuary during high river flow events. However, exchange of sediment between river and estuary should occur because of tide-induced dispersion.

Internal cycling, not external loading, decides the nutrient limitation in eutrophic lake: A dynamic model with temporal Bayesian hierarchical inference

Lake eutrophication is associated with excessive anthropogenic nutrients (mainly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and unobserved internal nutrient cycling. Despite the advances in understanding the role of external loadings, the contribution of internal nutrient cycling is still an open question. A dynamic mass-balance model was developed to simulate and measure the contributions of internal cycling and external loading. It was based on the temporal Bayesian Hierarchical Framework (BHM), where we explored the seasonal patterns in the dynamics of nutrient cycling processes and the limitation of N and P on phytoplankton growth in hyper-eutrophic Lake Dianchi, China. The dynamic patterns of the five state variables (Chla, TP, ammonia, nitrate and organic N) were simulated based on the model. Five parameters (algae growth rate, sediment exchange rate of N and P, nitrification rate and denitrification rate) were estimated based on BHM. The model provided a good fit to observations. Our model results highlighted the role of internal cycling of N and P in Lake Dianchi. The internal cycling processes contributed more than external loading to the N and P changes in the water column. Further insights into the nutrient limitation analysis indicated that the sediment exchange of P determined the P limitation. Allowing for the contribution of denitrification to N removal, N was the more limiting nutrient in most of the time, however, P was the more important nutrient for eutrophication management. For Lake Dianchi, it would not be possible to recover solely by reducing the external watershed nutrient load; the mechanisms of internal cycling should also be considered as an approach to inhibit the release of sediments and to enhance denitrification.

Morfodinâmica da desembocadura da Lagoa de Tramandaí (RS, Brasil)

A comunicação de corpos lagunares com o oceano ocorre através de canais de maré (tidal inlets), os quais constituem-se em importantes feições na troca de sedimentos. Algumas vari- áveis (prisma de maré, geometria do canal, etc.) controlam sua morfodinâmica e podem modificar sua posição geográfica. O conhecimento dos fatores que comandam sua estabilidade é de extrema relevância para gerenciar a costa e conservar o ambiente lagunar. Neste trabalho foi analisada a estabilidade da desembocadura da Lagoa de Tramandaí, com base em dados hidrodinâmicos, sedimentológicos e morfológicos integrados em uma análise espaço-temporal. A desembocadura desta laguna está localizada entre as praias de Tramandaí e Imbé (litoral norte do Rio Grande do Sul) e encontra-se fixada com apenas uma estrutura tipo guia-corrente ao longo da margem esquerda. A metodologia utilizada consistiu de levantamento batimétrico, técnicas de geoprocessamento e cálculos das relações empíricas de estabilidade. Os dados obtidos permitiram observar que anteriormente à fixação da margem esquerda do canal, a migração da desembocadura acompanhava a direção preferencial da deriva litorânea, para NE. A análise das relações de estabilidade física permitiu concluir que o canal apresentava forte instabilidade antes da obra de fixação da desembocadura. Após a obra do guia-corrente, a seção transversal mínima foi fixada e não existem registros de assoreamento.

Experiments on the effect of inflow and outflow sequences on suspended sediment exchange rates

In laboratory experiments, the influence of inflow and outflow sequences on the behavior of fine sediment was investigated. The experimental set-up consisted of two interconnected rectangular basins, between which water was moved back and forth. Suspended sediment concentration in the main basin as well as the sediment exchange rates were derived from turbidity measurements.The suspended sediment ratio, SSR, and sediment exchange rates (influx sediment rate, ISR, and evacuated sediment rate, ESR) were measured. In twenty test runs, a parametric study on the magnitude and frequency of inflow and outflow cycles, the relative duration between inflow and outflow sequences, the initial sediment concentration, and the intake position was done. An initial test with stagnant water described the settling behavior of fine sediment and served as a reference scenario.The test results show that settling of fine particles near the intake/outlet structure can be considerably reduced by the nature of the inflow and outflow sequences. High cycle magnitude and frequency lead to maximum suspended sediment ratio in the system. For low discharges, the evolution of suspended sediment concentration cannot be directly correlated to the inflow and outflow cycles. However, compared to “no operation” conditions, the suspended sediment ratio could be increased by 10% to 40% locally. For high discharge, the evolution of suspended sediment concentration correlated with discharge cycles and suspended sediment ratios between 50% and 80% higher than for stagnant water could be achieved. Similar ratios could be obtained when the intake is located closer to the bottom or to the free water surface.Meanwhile, the overall sediment balance remained in equilibrium over the test period, indicating that the influx and evacuated sediment rates are not significantly influenced by the inflow and outflow cycles.

Timing of the initial collision between the Indian and Asian continents

There exist three mainstream opinions regarding the timing of the initial collision between the Indian and Eurasian continents, namely, 65±5, 45±5, and 30±5 Ma. Five criteria are proposed for determining which tectonic event was related to the initial collision between India and Asia: the rapid decrease in the rate of plate motion, the cessation of magmatic activity originating from the subduction of oceanic crust, the end of sedimentation of oceanic facies, the occurrence of intracontinental deformation, and the exchange of sediments sourced from two continents. These criteria are used to constrain the nature of these tectonic events. It is proposed that the 65±5 Ma tectonic event is consistent with some of the criteria, but the upshot of this model is that the magmatic activity originating from the Tethyan subduction since the Mesozoic restarted along the southern margin of the Asian continent in this time after a brief calm, implying that the subduction of the Neotethys slab was still taking place. The magmatic activity that occurred along the southern margin of the Asian continent had a 7-Myr break during 72–65 Ma, which in this study is interpreted as having resulted from tectonic transformation from subduction to transform faulting, indicating that the convergence between the Indian and Asian continents was once dominated by strike-slip motion. The 30±5 Ma tectonic event resulted in the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, which was related to the late stage of the convergence between these two continents, namely, a hard collision. The 45±5 Ma tectonic event is in accordance with most of the criteria, corresponding to the initial collision between these two continents.

A behavior-oriented formula to predict coastal bathymetry evolution caused by coastal engineering

The two common expressions of near-bed sediment flux (also called erosion and deposition flux) in terms of sediment carrying capacity and bed shear stress are unified in this study. A behavior-oriented formula to calculate coastal bathymetry evolution caused by coastal engineering on a muddy coast is also developed based on the unified expression. Compared with the other common behavior-oriented formulas on a muddy coast, the vertical suspended sediment distribution and near-bed sediment exchange mechanism are considered, and the formula has the advantage of calculating both bed siltation and erosion distribution. The formula is applied to simulate the local morphology change resulting from the siltation-promoting works at the mouth of the Yangtze River estuary of China. A comparison between the measurement and the calculated results of other common formulas shows that the morphology change caused by the project is well reproduced, and the behavior-oriented formula can be used to predict the coastal bathymetry evolution caused by coastal engineering on muddy coast.