推移质翻越低坝输移特性的试验研究

对于山区河流低坝而言,平时淤积在坝前的推移质粗沙可能会在洪水期集中翻越坝顶,形成高强度输沙。本文开展水槽试验,研究推移质粗沙自上游起动、推进、再翻越坝顶后向下游输移的过程,分析了输沙参数的变化特性及数理规律,描述了翻坝输沙模式及运动特征,揭示了输沙规律与河床形态之间的自然联系。取得如下认识:①输沙量随时间大致以幂函数规律增长。②低坝附近区域河床形态终将趋于稳定,上游和下游均形成相对稳定的曲面斜坡淤积体。③在不同的水流强度下推移质翻坝输移模式存在差异。对于一般水流强度工况,上游淤积体曲面斜坡表面泥沙颗粒以滚动或滑动模式起动,推移至接近坝顶位置时再跃移翻坝,后向下游输移;对于更高水流强度工况,后期的翻坝输沙模式可能发生显著转变,周期性边壁漩涡成为翻坝输沙的主要动力来源。     

推移质翻越低坝输移特性的试验研究

对于山区河流低坝而言，平时淤积在坝前的推移质粗沙可能会在洪水期集中翻越坝顶，形成高强度输沙。本文开展水槽试验，研究推移质粗沙自上游起动、推进、再翻越坝顶后向下游输移的过程，分析了输沙参数的变化特性及数理规律，描述了翻坝输沙模式及运动特征，揭示了输沙规律与河床形态之间的自然联系。取得如下认识：①输沙量随时间大致以幂函数规律增长。②低坝附近区域河床形态终将趋于稳定，上游和下游均形成相对稳定的曲面斜坡淤积体。③在不同的水流强度下推移质翻坝输移模式存在差异。对于一般水流强度工况，上游淤积体曲面斜坡表面泥沙颗粒以滚动或滑动模式起动，推移至接近坝顶位置时再跃移翻坝，后向下游输移；对于更高水流强度工况，后期的翻坝输沙模式可能发生显著转变，周期性边壁漩涡成为翻坝输沙的主要动力来源。     

Environmental diplomacy in South Asia: Considering the environmental security,conflict and development nexus

Environmental security concerns have broadened the national security agenda and discourse of international relations. Yet environmental insecurity issues have endured impacts on livelihood, human security, social equity, human rights, internal security, political stability, economic growth and development of the state. Environmental challenges, such as climate change, water scarcity and energy security are shaping development and consumption patterns, which are possible causes of inter-state conflict in South Asia. This paper is an attempt to evaluate the nexus of climate change, energy and water security with conflict and development. Furthermore, we argue for the need for environmental diplomacy in Pakistan within the South Asian context. The argument is that integration of development with environmental factors and peacemaking has potential to achieve sustainable development in South Asia.     

An experimental study of flow, bedload transport and bed topography under conditions of erosion and deposition and comparison with theoretical models

The nature of flow, sediment transport and bed texture and topography was studied in a laboratory flume using a mixed size-density sediment under equilibrium and non-equilibrium (aggradational, degradational) conditions and compared with theoretical models. During each experiment, water depth, bed and water surface elevation, flow velocity, bed shear stress, bedload transport and bed state were continuously monitored. Equilibrium, uniform flow was established with a discharge of about 0.05 m³ s^?1, a flow depth of about 0.01 m, a flow velocity of about 0.81–0.88 m s^?1, a spatially averaged bed shear stress of about 1.7–2.2 Pa and a sediment transport rate of about 0.005–0.013 kg m^?1 s^?1 (i.e. close to the threshold of sediment transport). Such equilibrium flow conditions were established prior to and at the end of each aggradation or degradation experiment. Pebble clusters, bedload sheets and low-lying bars were ubiquitous in the experiments. Heavy minerals were relatively immobile and occurred locally in high concentrations on the bed surface as lag deposits. Aggradation was induced by (1) increasing the downstream flow depth (flume tilting) and (2) sediment overloading. Tilt-induced aggradation resulted in rapid deposition in the downstream half of the flume of a cross-stratified deposit with downstream dipping pebbles (pseudo-imbricated). and caused a slight decrease in the equilibrium mean water surface slope and total bedload transport rate. These differences between pre- and post-aggradation equilibrium flow conditions are due to a decrease in the local grain roughness of the bed. Sediment overloading produced a downstream fining and thinning wedge of sediment with upstream dipping pebbles (imbricated), whereas the equilibrium flow and sediment transport conditions remained relatively unchanged. Degradation was induced by (1) decreasing the downstream flow depth (flume tilting) and (2) cutting off the sediment feed. Tilt-induced degradation produced rapid downstream erosion and upstream deposition due to flow convergence with little change to the equilibrium flow and sediment transport conditions. The cessation of sediment feed produced degradation and armour development, a reduction in the mean water surface slope and flow velocity, an increase in flow depth, and an exponential decrease in bedload transport rate as erosion proceeded. A bedload transport model predicted total and fractional transport rates extremely well when the coarse-grained (or bedform trough) areas of the bed are used to define the sediment available to be transported. A sediment routing model, MIDAS, also reproduced the equilibrium and non-equilibrium flow conditions, total and fractional bedload transport rates and changes in bed topography and texture very well.     

Longitudinal profile evolution of the Rhine–Meuse system during the last deglaciation: interplay of climate change and glacio-eustasy?

Fluvial longitudinal profiles reconstructed from abandoned floodplains contain significant evidence about the role of relative sea level vs. climatic and tectonic controls on depositional systems. Two Weichselian floodplain surfaces that occur as terraces updip of the hinge zone of the Rhine–Meuse system have recently been mapped beneath the Holocene Rhine–Meuse Delta (The Netherlands). Their vertical offset is several metres in the upstream area and decreases to only 0.4 m in the central part of the delta. The older and higher of the two floodplain surfaces is generally assumed to have been formed around the Last Glacial Maximum, whereas the younger dates to the Younger Dryas, following a phase of climatically induced fluvial incision during the Bølling-Allerød. The downstream convergence of these two floodplain surfaces may be related to the relative rise of sea level, forcing the Rhine–Meuse system to become graded to a higher base level during the Younger Dryas. The upper Weichselian Rhine–Meuse system then provides an example of a basin-marginal fluvial system that responds, in terms of its longitudinal profile, to the combined effects of upstream control (primarily climate change affecting water and sediment flux from the hinterland) and downstream control (glacio-eustatically driven relative sea-level change). This new evidence may therefore revitalize the presently unfashionable concept of relative sea-level control penetrating many hundreds of kilometres inland.     

Basinwide disaster loss assessments under extreme climate scenarios: a case study of the Kaoping River basin

This study examined the Kaoping River basin, Taiwan, an area severely destroyed by Typhoon Morakot in 2009. Dynamically downscaled data were applied to simulate extreme typhoon precipitation events for facilitating future preparation efforts (2075–2099) under climate change conditions. Models were used to simulate possible impacts in upstream and downstream areas for basinwide disaster loss assessment purposes. The Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based Regional Slope-Stability and FLO-2D models were applied to simulate slope-land disaster impacts and sediment volume in the upstream area. The sediment delivery ratio was used to calculate the valid sediment amount delivered downstream and the riverbed uplift altitude. SOBEK was used to build a flood impact model for the Kaoping River basin, and the model was used to simulate potential flooding caused by future extreme typhoon events. The Taiwan Typhoon Loss Assessment System established by the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction was used to evaluate the potential loss associated with extreme events. The property loss calculation included 32 land-use categories, including agriculture, forestry, fishery, and animal husbandry losses; industrial and commercial service losses; public building losses; and traffic and hydraulic facility losses. One of the Kaoping River basin townships, Daliao District, had the highest flood depth increase ratio (12.6%), and the losses were 1.5 times the original situation. This was much worse than were the losses suffered during Typhoon Morakot. These results also show that sediment delivered from the upstream areas had a significant influence on the downstream areas. This is a critical issue for future flood mitigation under climate change conditions.     

Long-eccentricity regulated climate control on fluvial incision and aggradation in the Palaeocene of north-eastern Montana (USA)

Aggradation and fluvial incision controlled by downstream base-level changes at timescales of 10 to 500 kyr is incorporated in classic sequence stratigraphic models. However, upstream climate control on sediment supply and discharge variability causes fluvial incision and aggradation as well. Orbital forcing often regulates climate change at 10 to 500 kyr timescales while tectonic processes such as flexural (un)loading exert a dominant control at timescales longer than 500 kyr. It remains challenging to attribute fluvial incision and aggradation to upstream or downstream processes or disentangle allogenic from autogenic forcing, because time control is mostly limited in fluvial successions. The Palaeocene outcrops of the fluvial Lebo Shale Member in north-eastern Montana (Williston Basin, USA) constitute an exception. This study uses a distinctive tephra layer and two geomagnetic polarity reversals to create a 15 km long chronostratigraphic framework based on the correlation of twelve sections. Three aggradation–incision sequences are identified with durations of approximately 400 kyr, suggesting a relation with long-eccentricity. This age control further reveals that incision occurred during the approach of – or during – a 405 kyr long-eccentricity minimum. A long-term relaxation of the hydrological cycle related to such an orbital phasing potentially exerts an upstream climate control on river incision. Upstream, an expanding vegetation cover is expected because of an increasingly constant moisture supply to source areas. Entrapping by vegetation led to a significantly reduced sediment supply relative to discharge, especially at times of low evapotranspiration. Hence, high discharges resulted in incision. This study assesses the long-eccentricity regulated climate control on fluvial aggradation and incision in a new aggradation–incision sequence model.     

黄河流域天然河川径流量演变归因分析

受气候变化和人类活动影响,黄河流域水资源量持续衰减。以往水资源归因分析的研究主要针对气候变化和人类活动对实测径流量衰减的贡献,对天然径流量衰减的原因关注不够,不利于支撑黄河流域水资源高效利用和科学管理。基于黄河二元水循环模型评价不同时期黄河流域天然河川径流量,并采用多因素归因分析方法分析主要影响因素对天然河川径流量衰减的贡献。结果表明,2016年水平年情景相比于1956—1979年水平年情景,花园口断面多年平均天然河川径流量减少114.6亿m³,其中气候变化、下垫面变化和社会经济取用水影响的贡献率分别为24.4%、25.0%和50.6%。从分区来看,兰州以上气候变化是主导因素,兰州以下人类活动是主导因素。为遏制天然河川径流量衰减的趋势,促进黄河流域生态保护与高质量发展,应加强深度节水、刚性控水、适度增水、强化管水和立法护水。     

The relationship between channel avulsion, flow occupancy and aggradation in braided rivers: insights from an experimental model

Experimental modelling of an aggrading braided river has allowed investigation of the relationship between the frequency of channel avulsion ( A _f), the duration of time that the braidplain is occupied by flow, the spatial pattern of braidplain sedimentation and how these respond to a change in sediment supply ( S _s). Model results demonstrate a strong, positive relationship between S _s and A _f and that there is no downstream change in A _f over the short braidplain distances ( ca 100 m) modelled herein. Although A _f is strongly dependent on S _s, the degree of channel switching does not influence the rate, or spatial pattern, of braidplain sedimentation. All experiments used a single, central input for water and sediment, and the channels occupied the centre of the alluvial basin for a longer period of time than the margins for all sediment supply rates and distances downstream. Despite this spatio-temporal pattern in flow occupancy, braidplain sedimentation rates were nearly uniform both downstream and across the basin, and increased at approximately the same rate as increases in S _s. As a consequence, less frequent, and possibly short-lived, flows at the margins of the braidplain deposited and preserved more sediment per unit time in comparison with the centre of the basin where flow occupancy was higher. An approximate order of magnitude change in sediment supply resulted in only a factor of two change in bed slope, probably due to both an increase in channelization and adjustment of the channel form that maintained sediment transport through the basin. This result suggests that linear diffusion models are unlikely to be applicable in landscape evolution models that possess aggrading multi-thread rivers, which are capable of self-adjustment in channel number and form.     

Flow and sediment dynamics in a low sinuosity, braided river: Calamus River, Nebraska Sandhills

The interaction between channel geometry, flow, sediment transport and deposition associated with a midstream island was studied in a braided to meandering reach of the Calamus River, Nebraska Sandhills. Hydraulic and sediment transport measurements were made over a large discharge range using equipment operated from catwalk bridges. The relatively low sinuosity channel on the right-hand side of the island carries over 70% of the water discharge at high flow stages and 50–60% at low flow stages. As a result, mean velocity, depth, bed shear stress and sediment transport rate tend to be greater here than in the more strongly curved left-hand channel. The loci of maximum flow velocity, depth and bed shear stress are near the centre of the channel upstream of the island, but then split and move towards the outer banks of both channels downstream. Variations in these loci depend on the flow stage. Topographically induced across-stream flows are generally stronger than the weak, curvature-induced secondary circulations. Water surface topography is controlled mainly by centrifugal accelerations and local changes in downstream flow velocity. The averaged water surface slope of the study reach varies very little with discharge, having values between 0·00075 and 0·00090. As bed shear stress generally varies in a similar way to mean velocity, friction coefficients vary little, normally being in the range 0·07–0·13. These values are similar to those in straight channels with sandy dune-covered beds. Bedload is moved mainly as dunes at all flow stages. Grain size is mainly medium sand with coarse sand moved in thalwegs adjacent to the cut banks, and with fine sand at the downstream end of the island. These patterns of flow velocity, depth, water surface topography, bed shear stress, bedload transport rate and mean grain size can be accurately predicted using theoretical models of flow, bed topography and sediment transport rate in single river bends, applied separately to the left and right channels. During high flow stages deposition occurs persistently near the downstream end of the island, and cut banks are eroded. Otherwise, erosion and deposition occurs only locally within the channel as discharge varies. Abandonment and filling of a strongly curved channel segment may occur by migration of an upstream bar into the channel entrance at a high flow stage.     

Environmental characteristics of tropical coral reef-seagrass dominated lagoons (Lakshadweep,India) and implications to resilience to climate change

Environmental characteristics of the coral reef-seagrass ecosystem of selected Lakshadweep Islands (India) were assessed with a view to understanding the future climate change scenario in the region. Images obtained from the Indian remote sensing satellite (IRS P6) were used to identify the different zones such as the corals, the seagrass and the sandy region. The pH (7.6–8.6) of sediment was relatively high in the coral reef compared to the seagrass area, possibly indicating a climate shift-induced coral bleaching. The water quality and sediment texture generally showed marked intra- and inter-island variations illustrating that these coral reef ecosystems are highly vulnerable to climate change brought about by increased human interventions. Future research should therefore explore the habitat and resource connections, to predict their restoring capabilities for a sustainable exploitation. With an alarming increase in the population and associated developmental activities, the island ecosystems are expected to respond severely to the climate change, which may eventually lead to mass mortality of corals due to bleaching.     

Characteristics of spatial distribution of debris flow and the effect of their sediment yield in main downstream of Jinsha River,China

Debris flow hazard posts a big threat to the main downstream of Jinsha River where a number of huge power stations are under construction. The characteristics of spatial distribution of debris flows and the effect of their sediment yield on the reservoir areas have been studied. An automatic recognition module was developed to extract the geometry of debris flow channels from remote sensing data. Spatial distribution pattern of debris flows is obtained through combining the inventory database and multi-source remote sensing investigation. The distribution of debris flows has high dependency on the various factors including geology, geomorphology, climate, hydrology and human economic activities. The debris flows distributed in the study area are characterized by group and pair distribution, uncompleted deposition fans, highly controlled by faults and tectonic activities, spatial variation between left bank and right bank, and different subdivisions. The sediment yield caused by debris flow activates is evaluated using multi-year observation data from numerous observation stations. Quantitative studies have been performed on the relationship between the sediment yield and the debris flow area. A relatively fix ratio of 2.6 (×10⁴ t/km²) has been found in different subdivisions of main downstream area which shows that the source of sediment discharged into Jinsha River primarily come from debris flow activities. Another ratio is evaluated to represent the transforming possibility of debris flow materials to bed-sediment load and suspended-sediment load in the river. Based on these findings, the potential effect of sediment yield caused by debris flows on reservoir areas is discussed. The zonation map shows the different effect of debris flow sediment on different dam site area which shows a good agreement with variation of debris flow spatial distribution.     

Assessment of the effects of climate and land cover changes on river discharge and sediment yield,and an adaptive spatial planning in the Jakarta region

In Jakarta, climate change has been detected through rising air temperatures, increased intensity of rainfall in the wet season, and sea level rise. The coupling of such changes with local anthropogenic driven modifications in the environmental setting could contribute to an increased probability of flooding, due to increase in both extreme river discharge and sedimentation (as a result of erosion in the watersheds above Jakarta and as indicated by sediment yield in the downstream area). In order to respond to the observed and projected changes in river discharge and sediment yield, and their secondary impacts, adaptation strategies are required. A possible adaptation strategy is through policy making in the field of spatial planning. For example, in Indonesia, presidential regulation number 54 year 2008 (Peraturan Presiden Nomor 54 Tahun 2008—Perpres 54/2008) was issued as a reference for the implementation of water and soil conservation. This paper assesses the impact of climate and land cover change on river discharge and sediment yield, as well as the effects of Perpres 54/2008 on that river discharge and sediment yield. The spatial water balance model Spatial Tools for River Basins and Environmental and Analysis of Management Option was used for the runoff computations, whilst the Spatial Decision Assistance of Watershed Sedimentation model was used to simulate erosion, Sediment Delivery Ratio, and sediment yield. The computation period is from January 1901 to December 2005, at the scale of the following watersheds: Ciujung, Cisadane, Ciliwung, and Citarum. During the twentieth century, computed average discharge in the downstream area (near Jakarta) increased between 2.5 and 35 m³/s/month, and sediment yield increased between 1 × 10³ and 42 × 10³ tons/year. These changes were caused by changes in both land cover and climate, with the former playing a stronger role. Based on a computation under a theoretical full implementation of the spatial plan proposed by Perpres 54/2008, river discharge would decrease by up to 5 % in the Ciliwung watershed and 26 % in the Cisadane watershed. The implementation of Perpres 54/2008 could also decrease the sediment yield, by up to 61 and 22 % in the Ciliwung and Cisadane watersheds, respectively. These findings show that the implementation of the spatial plan of Perpres 54/2008 could significantly improve watershed response to runoff and erosion. This study may serve as a tool for assessing the reduction in climate change impacts and evaluating the role of spatial planning for adaptation strategies.     

Phenomena and characteristics of barrier river reaches in the middle and lower Yangtze River,China

Alluvial river self-adjustment describes the mechanism whereby a river that was originally in an equilibrium state of sediment transport encounters some disturbance that destroys the balance and results in responses such as riverbed deformation. A systematic study of historical and recent aerial photographs and topographic maps in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River (MLYR) shows that river self-adjustment has the distinguishing feature of transferring from upstream to downstream, which may affect flood safety, waterway morphology, bank stability, and aquatic environmental safety over relatively long reaches downstream. As a result, it is necessary to take measures to control or block this transfer. Using the relationship of the occurrence time of channel adjustments between the upstream and downstream, 34 single-thread river reaches in the MLYR were classified into four types: corresponding, basically corresponding, basically not corresponding, not corresponding. The latter two types, because of their ability to prevent upstream channel adjustment from transferring downstream, are called barrier river reaches in this study. Statistics indicate that barrier river reaches are generally single thread and slightly curved, with a narrow and deep cross-sectional morphology, and without flow deflecting nodes in the upper and middle parts of reaches. Moreover, in the MLYR, barrier river reaches have a hydrogeometric coefficient of \({<}{4}\), a gradient \({>}\)1.2?, a silty clay content of the concave bank \({>}{9.5}\)%, and a median diameter of the bed sediment \({>}{0.158}\) mm. The barrier river reach mechanism lies in that can effectively centralise the planimetric position of the main stream from different upstream directions, meaning that no matter how the upper channel adjusts, the main stream shows little change, providing relatively stable inflow conditions for the lower reaches. Regarding river regulation, it is necessary to optimise the benefits of barrier river reaches; long river reaches without barrier properties should be systematically planned and regulated; drastic bank collapse and sandbar shrinking should be urgently controlled to prevent the loss of barrier effects.     

Zhidanyuan sluice of Yuan-dynasty, Shanghai area of Yangtze delta: Discussion of its abandonment

The present study examines the rise and fall of the sluice of the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368 AD) unearthed in Zhidanyuan, Shanghai, by means of radiocarbon-dated sediment profiles, sedimentary facies indices and the historical literatures. Magnetic fabric parameters of sediment profiles help reconstruct the tidal creek setting at the sluice site. Our records evidence a fluvially-dominated hydrodynamic setting before sluice construction, but a saltwater intruded setting in the later stage. Magnetic fabric shows a stable flow direction in the upstream of the sluice, implying the fluvial deposition, while scattering flow directions downstream, suggesting interactions between the river flow and tidal currents. It is concluded that the sluice construction was primarily aimed at preventing saltwater intrusion from the Yangtze River mouth, but its operation did not fully fit the high sediment siltation in the channel that occurred after the sluice construction. This weakens significantly the role of sluice operation, leading to its abandonment eventually.     

Complex variations in sediment transport at three large river bifurcations during discharge waves in the river Rhine

River bifurcations strongly control the distribution of water and sediment over a river system. A good understanding of this distribution process is crucial for river management. In this paper, an extensive data set from three large bifurcations in the Dutch Rhine is presented, containing data on bed‐load transport, suspended bed sediment transport, dune development and hydrodynamics. The data show complex variations in sediment transport during discharge waves. The objective of this paper is to examine and explain these measured variations in sediment transport. It is found that bend sorting upstream of the bifurcations leads to supply limitation, particularly in the downstream branch that originates in the outer bend of the main channel. Tidal water level variations lead to cyclical variations in the sediment distribution over the downstream branches. Lags in dune development cause complex hysteresis patterns in flow parameters and sediment transport. All bifurcations show evidence of sediment waves, which probably are intrinsic bifurcation phenomena. The complex transport processes at the three bifurcations cause distinct discontinuities in the downstream fining trend of the river. Differences among the studied river bifurcations are mainly due to differences in sediment mobility (Shields value). Because the variations in sediment transport are complex and poorly correlated with the flow discharge, prediction of the sediment distribution with existing relationships for one‐dimensional models is problematic.     

从吉林省安图县案例看人类对全球变化适应的行为心理学研究

应用行为心理学理论和方法,从气候变暖的环境“刺激”到农业种植行为改变的“反应（响应行为）”的全部适应行为过程,涉及刺激、认知、辨识、选择、反馈等环节,需要解决的关键科学问题包括：①人类如何感知和辨识全球变暖及其影响;②哪些因素怎样影响人类适应行为的发生;③人类适应行为的评价与反馈机制。对安图县实例的分析可以看出,一方面很好地验证了该研究思路;另一方面却也反映出,此类研究需要建立在一系列对典型区域进行个案取证调查的实证研究基础上。     

Sediment dynamics in the lowermost Mississippi River

There is much to be gained from investigating sediment dynamics in the lower Mississippi system, the largest river in terms of discharge and sediment load in North America. Such work can improve conceptual knowledge concerning downstream changes at the lower end of large river systems and can be applied to manage sediment diversions for wetland restoration in south Louisiana. Suspended sediment dynamics in the lowermost Mississippi River system in Louisiana are characterized using three approaches: (1) temporal changes in discharge-suspended sediment relationships showing interannual variations and the effects of floods over short timescales; (2) empirical relationships between discharge and suspended sediment variables at various locations; and (3) downstream changes in discharge-suspended sediment relationships. Interpretation of this data set is enhanced with other secondary data regarding processes, morphology, and bed materials.

Upstream, near Old River, LA, empirical relationships show nonlinearity, particularly in fine sediments, with decreased concentrations at highest discharges. During high discharge years, suspended sediment concentration peaks precede discharge crests by 40–85 days. The lead generally decreases with decreasing discharge maxima so that in low discharge years sediment peaks and discharge crests closely coincide in time. Downstream, near Belle Chasse, LA, fine bottom materials are resuspended and the timing of sediment peaks and discharge crests is coincident, regardless of flow magnitude. Conceptually, results suggest caution when generalizing about the relative timing of the sediment wave and flood wave and their downstream progression. These phenomena are influenced by local bed material and hydraulic conditions, and depend on the causative factors of sediment peaks. From an applied perspective, diversions should be managed differently depending upon where they are constructed along the river and upon the magnitude of the annual maximum flow. During high discharge years, when concerns for navigation and water supply are minimal, flow should be diverted on the rising limb upstream, near Old River, and during the discharge crest downstream near New Orleans.     

Rifts,rivers and climate recovery: A new model for the Triassic of England

Triassic basins of England developed under a regime of largely W–E extension and progressed from non-marine fluvial and aeolian sedimentation (Sherwood Sandstone Group), through marine-influenced playa lacustrine deposits (Mercia Mudstone Group) to marine environments (Penarth Group). A new tectono-stratigraphic model for the Sherwood Sandstone Group is proposed in which two major long-distance river systems developed under conditions of relative fault inactivity in the Early Triassic (Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds and equivalent) and Middle Triassic (Otter Sandstone and equivalent). These are separated by a late Early Triassic syn-rift succession of fluvio–aeolian sandstones (Wildmoor Sandstone and Wilmslow Sandstone formations) and playa lacustrine muds (Nettlecombe Formation) which show major thickness variation and localisation with hanging wall basins. The partitioning of syn-rift deposits into mudstones within upstream basins (close to the source of water and sediment) and clean aeolian or fluvio–aeolian sandstones in downstream basins is similar to the pattern observed in the underlying late Permian. Under conditions of rapid tectonic subsidence chains of extensional basins may become disconnected with upstream basins (Wessex Basin) acting as traps for fines and water permitting more aeolian activity in temporarily unlinked downstream basins (Worcester and Cheshire basins). In addition to tectonic controls, fluctuating climate, relief related to limestone resilience in arid settings, the smoothing effect of fill and spill sedimentation and Tethyan sea-level change all contributed toward the observed Triassic stratigraphy in England.     

Sediment distribution and depositional processes along the fluvial to marine transition zone of the Mekong River delta,Vietnam

The area of coastal rivers with a combination of fluvial, tidal and wave processes is defined as the fluvial to marine transition zone and can extend up to several hundreds of kilometres upstream of the river mouth. The aim of this study is to improve the understanding of sediment distribution and depositional processes along the fluvial to marine transition zone using a comprehensive dataset of channel bed sediment samples collected from the Mekong River delta. Six sediment types were identified and were interpreted to reflect the combined action of fluvial and marine processes. Based on sediment‐type associations, the Mekong fluvial to marine transition zone could be subdivided into an upstream tract and a downstream tract; the boundary between these two tracts is identified 80 to 100 km upstream of the river mouth. The upstream tract is characterized by gravelly sand and sand and occasional heterolithic rhythmites, suggesting bed‐load supply and deposition mainly controlled by fluvial processes with subordinate tidal influence. The downstream tract is characterized by heterolithic rhythmites with subordinate sand and mud, suggesting suspended‐load supply and deposition mainly controlled by tidal processes with subordinate fluvial influence. Sediment distributions during wet and dry seasons suggest significant seasonal changes in sediment dynamic and depositional processes along the fluvial to marine transition zone. The upstream tract shows strong fluvial depositional processes with subordinate tidal influence during the wet season and no deposition with weak fluvial and tidal processes during the dry season. The downstream tract shows strong coexisting fluvial and tidal depositional processes during the wet season and strong tidal depositional processes with negligible fluvial influence during the dry season. Turbidity maxima are present along the downstream tract of the fluvial to marine transition zone during both wet and dry seasons and are driven by a combination of fluvial, tidal and wave processes.