Patterns and dynamics of river–aquifer exchange with variably-saturated flow using a fully-coupled model

The parallel physically-based surface–subsurface model PARFLOW was used to investigate the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of river–aquifer exchange in a heterogeneous alluvial river–aquifer system with deep water table. Aquifer heterogeneity at two scales was incorporated into the model. The architecture of the alluvial hydrofacies was represented based on conditioned geostatistical indicator simulations. Subscale variability of hydraulic conductivities (K) within hydrofacies bodies was created with a parallel Gaussian simulation. The effects of subscale heterogeneity were investigated in a Monte Carlo framework. Dynamics and patterns of river–aquifer exchange were simulated for a 30-day flow event. Simulation results show the rapid formation of saturated connections between the river channel and the deep water table at preferential flow zones that are characterized by high conductivity hydrofacies. Where the river intersects low conductivity hydrofacies shallow perched saturated zones immediately below the river form, but seepage to the deep water table remains unsaturated and seepage rates are low. Preferential flow zones, although only taking up around 50% of the river channel, account for more than 98% of total seepage. Groundwater recharge is most efficiently realized through these zones. Subscale variability of K_sat slightly increased seepage volumes, but did not change the general seepage patterns (preferential flow zones versus perched zones). Overall it is concluded that typical alluvial heterogeneity (hydrofacies architecture) is an important control of river–aquifer exchange in rivers overlying deep water tables. Simulated patterns and dynamics are in line with field observations and results from previous modeling studies using simpler models. Alluvial heterogeneity results in distinct patterns and dynamics of river–aquifer exchange with implications for groundwater recharge and the management of riparian zones (e.g. river channel-floodplain connectivity via saturated zones).     

Modeling axisymmetric flow and transport

Unmodified versions of common computer programs such as MODFLOW, MT3DMS, and SEAWAT that use Cartesian geometry can accurately simulate axially symmetric ground water flow and solute transport. Axisymmetric flow and transport are simulated by adjusting several input parameters to account for the increase in flow area with radial distance from the injection or extraction well. Logarithmic weighting of interblock transmissivity, a standard option in MODFLOW, can be used for axisymmetric models to represent the linear change in hydraulic conductance within a single finite-difference cell. Results from three test problems (ground water extraction, an aquifer push-pull test, and upconing of saline water into an extraction well) show good agreement with analytical solutions or with results from other numerical models designed specifically to simulate the axisymmetric geometry. Axisymmetric models are not commonly used but can offer an efficient alternative to full three-dimensional models, provided the assumption of axial symmetry can be justified. For the upconing problem, the axisymmetric model was more than 1000 times faster than an equivalent three-dimensional model. Computational gains with the axisymmetric models may be useful for quickly determining appropriate levels of grid resolution for three-dimensional models and for estimating aquifer parameters from field tests.     

Surface water-groundwater exchange dynamics in buried-valley aquifer systems

Groundwater is a primary source of drinking water worldwide, but excess nutrients and emerging contaminants could compromise groundwater quality and limit its usage as a drinking water source. As such contaminants become increasingly prevalent in the biosphere, a fundamental understanding of their fate and transport in groundwater systems is necessary to implement successful remediation strategies. The dynamics of surface water-groundwater (hyporheic) exchange within a glacial, buried-valley aquifer system are examined in the context of their implications for the transport of nutrients and contaminants in riparian sediments. High conductivity facies act as preferential flow pathways which enhance nutrient and contaminant delivery, especially during storm events, but transport throughout the aquifer also depends on subsurface sedimentary architecture (e.g. interbedded high and low conductivity facies). Temperature and specific conductance measurements indicate extensive hyporheic mixing close to the river channel, but surface water influence was also observed far from the stream-aquifer interface. Measurements of river stage and hydraulic head indicate that significant flows during storms (i.e., hot moments) alter groundwater flow patterns, even between consecutive storm events, as riverbed conductivity and, more importantly, the hydraulic connectivity between the river and aquifer change. Given the similar mass transport characteristics among buried-valley aquifers, these findings are likely representative of glacial aquifer systems worldwide. Our results suggest that water resources management decisions based on average (base) flow conditions may inaccurately represent the system being evaluated, and could reduce the effectiveness of remediation strategies for nutrients and emerging contaminants.     

Modeling the dynamics of the block structure and seismicity of the Caucasus

Based on the morphostructural zoning scheme of the Caucasus, the block structure reflecting the real fault geometry and the block formation of the region is constructed. Several dozens of numerical experiments are conducted for simulating the dynamics of the block structure and the arising seismicity. The modeling relies on the following principles. It is assumed that the structure is composed of perfectly rigid blocks separated by infinitely thin fault planes. On the fault planes and on the blocks' bottoms, the blocks viscoelastically interact with each other and with the underlying medium. At each time instant, the translational displacements and rotations of the blocks are calculated from the condition of the quasi-static equilibrium of the entire block structure. The earthquakes occur in accordance with the dry friction model at the time instants when within a certain segment of the fault the stress-to-pressure ratio exceeds the given threshold. The modeling yields the synthetic catalog of the Caucasian earthquakes the spatial distribution of which reflects a set of characteristic features of the real seismicity. The similarity is observed in the magnitude–frequency diagrams of the synthetic and real seismicity. The comparison of the positions of the epicenters of the strong synthetic earthquakes with the results of recognizing the highly seismically active areas in the Caucasus demonstrates the presence of such epicenters in a few highly active areas where, according to the observations, strong earthquakes have not occurred to date.     

Fluid flow dynamics under location uncertainty

We present a derivation of a stochastic model of Navier Stokes equations that relies on a decomposition of the velocity fields into a differentiable drift component and a time uncorrelated uncertainty random term. This type of decomposition is reminiscent in spirit to the classical Reynolds decomposition. However, the random velocity fluctuations considered here are not differentiable with respect to time, and they must be handled through stochastic calculus. The dynamics associated with the differentiable drift component is derived from a stochastic version of the Reynolds transport theorem. It includes in its general form an uncertainty dependent subgrid bulk formula that cannot be immediately related to the usual Boussinesq eddy viscosity assumption constructed from thermal molecular agitation analogy. This formulation, emerging from uncertainties on the fluid parcels location, explains with another viewpoint some subgrid eddy diffusion models currently used in computational fluid dynamics or in geophysical sciences and paves the way for new large-scales flow modeling. We finally describe an applications of our formalism to the derivation of stochastic versions of the Shallow water equations or to the definition of reduced order dynamical systems.     

Forecasting river flow using nonlinear dynamics

A Nearest Neighbor Method (NNM) is used to forecast daily river flows that were measured at a single location over a time period spanning about seventy years. A parsimonious three parameter NNM is developed in the context of Nonlinear Dynamics and the dependence between forecast error and length of history used to construct forecasts is investigated. Comparison is made to Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models. The NNM is found to provide improved forecasts.     

Effect of seepage on flow and bedforms dynamics

This study, using an experimental approach, focuses on the effect of downward seepage on a threshold alluvial channel morphology and corresponding turbulent flow characteristics. In all the experiments, we observed that the streamwise time‐averaged velocities and Reynolds shear stresses were increased under the influence of downward seepage. Scales of eddy length and eddy turnover time were significantly increased with the application of downward seepage, leading to sediment transport and initiation of bedforms along the channel length. As the amount of seepage discharge increased, eddy length and turnover time were further increased, causing the development of larger bedforms. It was revealed that the geometry of bedforms was linked with the size of eddies. In this work, statistics of bedform dynamics are presented in terms of multi‐scalar bedforms in the presence of seepage. These multi‐scalar ubiquitous bedforms cast a potential impact on flow turbulence as well as stream bed morphology in channels. We used wavelet to analyse temporally lagged spatial bed elevation profiles that were obtained from a set of laboratory experiments and synchronized the wavelet coefficients with bed elevation fluctuations at different length scales. A spatial cross‐correlation analysis, based on the wavelet coefficients, was performed on these bed elevation datasets to observe the effect of downward seepage on the dynamic behaviour of bedforms at different length scales. It was found that celerity of bedforms reduced with increase in seepage percentage. Bedform celerity was best approximated by a probability density function such as Rayleigh distribution under varying downward seepage. Further, statistical analysis of physical parameters of bedforms ascertained that the reduction in bedform celerity was a result of increased bedform size. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of dam-induced cyclic patterns on river flow dynamics

This paper investigates the impact of the Hungry Horse Dam on streamflow dynamics in the South Fork of the Flathead River, Montana, USA. To this end, pre- and post-dam periods of raw and naturalized streamflow data were analysed. Pettitt’s change point analysis indicated a significant change point in streamflow dynamics due to dam construction. Complexities in the pre- and post-dam periods were evaluated by sample and multi-scale entropy analyses, and the entropies of the post-dam period were found to be higher than those of the pre-dam period. Possible reasons for this, unrelated to the natural hydrological cycle caused by the dam, were analysed using wavelet analyses. The wavelet analyses showed a clear change in the phase relationship between precipitation and streamflow. Finally, weak positive trends found in the hydrological variables indicated the effects of human activities (e.g. dam construction). The results also revealed distorted lead times, which can improve the streamflow forecasts for different lead times.     

Upper mantle flow beneath the Northwest of China and its lithospheric dynamics

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Short and medium term dynamics of the carbon exchange between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea

A detailed analysis of the short and medium term dynamics of the carbon exchange between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea is presented. To quantify the carbon fluxes distinguishing the Baltic and North Sea water masses, the salinity-based End Members (EM) method was successfully applied. The results of 0.63±0.25×10¹² mol C year⁻¹ identify the Baltic Sea as a net source of carbon for the North Sea. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was found to contribute significantly (22%) to the bulk of exported carbon. The levels determined suggest the hydrology-dependence of the carbon fluxes in the Danish Straits, which stimulates the high variability of carbon fluxes at both interseasonal and interannual scales.     

Modeling the effect of sediment concentration on the flow-like behavior of natural debris flow

The rheological behavior of natural slurries consisting of fine-grained, reconstituted debris-flow deposits on pyroclastic terrains having different solid concentrations (ranging from 30 to 42%) has been investigated using a rotational rheometer equipped with a vane rotor system. Experiments were done by increasing the applied shear stress step by step; then a decreasing stress ramp was applied following the same shear stress levels. The slurry mixtures exhibit a typical yield-stress fluid behavior with a static yield stress larger than the dynamic yield stress. In the range of the shear rate corresponding to the flow-like behavior the slurry mixtures behave as a dilatant fluid at lower grain concentrations and as a pseudoplastic fluid in correspondence with the higher grain content, showing a strong discrepancy from the Bingham idealization. The rheological behavior is better interpreted by a Herschel-Bulkley model, whose rheological parameters strongly depend on the granular concentration. Therefore, a generalized Herschel-Bulkley model accounting for the bulk sediment concentration effect is proposed.     

Field studies of river flow dynamics in the lower pool of a hydrosystem

Results of field studies of Istra River current dynamics over a 35-km reach in the lower pool of a hydrosystem are analyzed. Data on the distribution of current velocities in cross-sections with different morphometry and the characteristics of bottom deposits at significantly different water discharges, and data on variations in the water surface slope are presented. The coefficients of hydraulic friction are assessed.     

Nonlinear dynamics of long-wave perturbations of the Kolmogorov flow for large Reynolds numbers

The nonlinear dynamics of long-wave perturbations of the inviscid Kolmogorov flow, which models periodically varying in the horizontal direction oceanic currents, is studied. To describe this dynamics, the Galerkin method with basis functions representing the first three terms in the expansion of spatially periodic perturbations in the trigonometric series is used. The orthogonality conditions for these functions formulate a nonlinear system of partial differential equations for the expansion coefficients. Based on the asymptotic solutions of this system, a linear, quasilinear, and nonlinear stage of perturbation dynamics is identified. It is shown that the time-dependent growth of perturbations during the first two stages is succeeded by the stage of stable nonlinear oscillations. The corresponding oscillations are described by the oscillator equation containing a cubic nonlinearity, which is integrated in terms of elliptic functions. An analytical formula for the period of oscillations is obtained, which determines its dependence on the amplitude of the initial perturbation. Structural features of the field of the stream function of the perturbed flow are described, associated with the formation of closed vortex cells and meandering flow between them. As a supplement, an asymptotic analysis of nonlinear dynamics of long-wave perturbations superimposed on a damped by small viscosity Kolmogorov flow (very large, but finite Reynolds numbers) is made. It is strictly shown that all velocity components of the perturbed flow remain bounded in this case.     

Modeling of turbidity dynamics caused by wind-induced waves and current in the Taihu Lake

A simple turbidity model was developed with a sound physical basis based on in situ high-frequency observations of short-term, strong wind-induced sediment suspension in Taihu Lake, China. The validation results show that the model could successfully simulate turbidity caused by strong wind events, despite the relatively poor simulation accuracy for high values of turbidity caused by the entrainment of cyanobacteria by turbulence. The in situ observations and model simulation results indicate that the wind waves were within a narrow spectral band, with spectral energy mainly distributed within the 0.28–0.75 Hz band on opposite sides of the peak frequency. These high-frequency and low-energy wind waves are sensitive to depth filtering. However, the average depth of the lake is only 1.9 m, and wind waves still represent the main force of sediment suspension at the sediment-water interface. Moreover, lake currents were of significance to the maintenance of background turbidity in calm waves or ripples and in the determination of critical shear stress. By considering the spatial distribution of hydrodynamics and sediment, the model can be used to simulate the turbidity of the entire lake as well as boundary conditions for three-dimensional numerical models.     

Modeling the effect of plasma density on the dynamics of the microwave spectrum of solar flaring loops

The energetic electron distribution dynamics and radioemission have been numerically simulated in order to interpret three characteristic types of the frequency spectrum slope dynamics between 17 and 34 GHz in different parts of solar flaring loops observed with the Nobeyama Radioheliograph. In all types, the spectrum slope decreases at the rise phase of microwave burst. The behavior is qualitatively different at the decay phase of the burst: the spectrum slope increases immediately after the burst maximum in the first type; continues decreasing or stabilizes, not reaching zero, in the second type; and continues decreasing to zero and becomes positive in the third type. The parameters at which the calculated dynamics of the frequency spectrum slope in different parts of the magnetic loop most strictly corresponds to the observed dynamics have been found. It has been indicated that the first type of the spectrum slope dynamics is related to an increase and decrease in the radio source optical thickness at the rise and decay phases, respectively. The second type is caused by the flattening of the electron energy spectrum that continues at the decay phase. The third type is related to a gradual flattening process of the electron energy spectrum, combined with a large ratio of the plasma density to the magnetic field strength (n ₀ /B) within a loop, and is explained by the Razin effect.     

Surface water–groundwater exchange dynamics in a tidal freshwater zone

In coastal rivers, tides can propagate for tens to hundreds of kilometres inland beyond the saltwater line. Yet the influence of tides on river–aquifer connectivity and solute transport in tidal freshwater zones (TFZs) is largely unknown. We estimate that along the TFZ of White Clay Creek (Delaware, USA), 11% of river water exchanges through tidal bank storage zones. Additional hyporheic processes such as flow through bedforms likely contribute even more exchange. The turnover length associated with tidal bank storage is 150 km, on the order of turnover lengths for all hyporheic exchange processes in non‐tidal rivers of similar size. Based on measurements at a transect of piezometers located 17 km from the coast, tides exchange 0.36 m³ of water across the banks and 0.86 m³ across the bed per unit river length. Exchange fluxes range from ?1.66 to 2.26 m day^?1 across the bank and ?0.84 to 1.88 m day^?1 across the bed. During rising tide, river water infiltrates into the riparian aquifer, and the downstream transport rate in the channel is low. During falling tide, stored groundwater is released to the river, and the downstream transport rate in the channel increases. Tidal bank storage zones may remove nutrients or other contaminants from river water and attenuate nutrient loads to coasts. Alternating expansion and contraction of aerobic zones in the riparian aquifer likely influence contaminant removal along flow paths. A clear need exists to understand contaminant removal and other ecosystem services in TFZs and adopt best management practices to promote these ecosystem services. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hanger replacement influence on seismic response of suspension bridges: Implementation to the Bosphorus Bridge subjected to multi-support excitation

The effects of hanger replacement from inclined to vertical configuration on seismic response of long-span suspension bridges are investigated considering multi-support earthquake excitation. The Bosphorus Bridge is investigated due to its recent comprehensive rehabilitation, mainly involving hanger replacement. The finite-fault stochastic simulation method (FINSIM) is utilized for multi-point earthquake time-history generation. The developed finite element (FE) model both for the inclined and vertical hanger arrangement are verified through the structural health monitoring (SHM) data. Based on the comparative analysis, the tension force of vertical hangers is found to be lower than that of inclined hangers, whereas the tension force of the main and back-stay cables remains the same. The compressive axial force of the deck decreases relatively in the case of the vertical hanger arrangement, whereas the cross-sectional forces at the tower base section increase. The approach viaducts are not affected by the vertical hanger arrangement. According to the demand/capacity ratios for damage estimation under the max. earthquake (2475 years return period), structural damage on the tower base section may be expected for both hanger arrangements, while these sections perform well under design scenario earthquake. The expansion joint of the bridge with inclined hangers is also estimated to be damaged; however, this displacement is lower in the case of the vertical hanger arrangement due to the viscous dampers. The findings also reveal that a change in hanger form of a suspension bridge can necessitate other structural retrofit, such as using viscous dampers to limit longitudinal displacements of the deck and retrofitting the bridge towers.     

Organic carbon deliveries and their flow related dynamics in the Fitzroy estuary

The Fitzroy estuary (Queensland, Australia) receives large, but highly episodic, river flows from a catchment (144,000 km(2)) which has undergone major land clearing. Large quantities of suspended sediments, and particulate and dissolved organic carbon are delivered. At peak flows, delta(13)C (-21.7+/-0.8 per thousand) and C/N (14.8+/-1.3) of the suspended solids indicate that the particulate organic material entering the estuary is principally soil organic carbon. At the lower beginning flows the particulate organic matter comes from in-stream producers (delta(13)C=-26 per thousand). The DOC load is about 10 times the POC load. Using the inverse method, budgets for POC and DOC were constructed for high and low flows. Under high flows, only a small portion of the POC and DOC load is lost in the estuary. Under dry season (low flow) conditions the estuary is a sink for DOC, but remains a source of POC to the coastal waters.     

Sub-arctic river bank dynamics and driving processes during the open-channel flow period

There is growing concern that rapidly changing climate in high latitudes may generate significant geomorphological changes that could mobilise floodplain sediments and carbon; however detailed investigations into the bank erosion process regimes of high latitude rivers remain lacking. Here we employ a combination of thermal and RGB colour time-lapse photos in concert with water level, flow characteristics, bank sediment moisture and temperature, and topographical data to analyse river bank dynamics during the open-channel flow period (the period from the rise of the spring snowmelt flood until the autumn low flow period) for a subarctic river in northern Finland (Pulmanki River). We show how variations of bank sediment temperature and moisture affect bank erosion rates and locations, how bank collapses relate to fluvial processes, and elucidate the seasonal variations and interlinkages between the different driving processes. We find that areas with high levels of groundwater content and loose sand layers were the most prone areas for bank erosion. Groundwater seeping caused continuous erosion throughout the study period, whereas erosion by flowing river water occurred during the peak of snowmelt flood. However, erosion also occurred during the falling phase of the spring flood, mainly due to mass failures. The rising phase of the spring flood therefore did not affect the river bank as much as its peak or receding phases. This is explained because the bank is resistant to erosion due to the prevalence of still frozen and drier sediments at the beginning of the spring flood. Overall, most bank erosion and deposition occurrences were observed during the low flow period after the spring flood. This highlights that spring melt, while often delivering the highest discharges, may not be the main driver of bank erosion in sub-arctic meandering rivers. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.