Reply: Bulk sampling of coarse clastic sediments for particle-size analysis

The work of Gale and Hoare (1992) provides a guide to the minimum mass of bulk sample required to obtain a reproducible measure of the complete particle-size distribution of coarse clastic sediments such as till, fluvial gravel and beach gravel. Dunkerley (1994) makes a number of criticisms and misrepresentations of this procedure. These are systematically refuted and corrected here, and further data obtained from till and beach gravel are provided to support the criterion adopted by Gale and Hoare (1992) for sample reliability. The procedure of Gale and Hoare (1992) is confirmed as a practical guide to the mass of bulk sample required to obtain a reliable measure of the particle-size distribution of coarse clastic sediment.     

The air flow and heat transfer in gravel embankment in permafrost areas

A comparative numerical investigation of transient temperature profile and pore-air velocities in horizontal rock block embankments are conducted using the "gravels model", in which the embankment is composed of stones and air, and the "porous media model" respectively. As the velocities from the "gravels model" directly reflect the true flow of air and winter-time convection, in this paper it can be concluded that computational results from the "gravels model"are superior to the "porous media model". In addition, the "gravels model" has the advantages of reflecting the effect of the dimensions and collocation of gravels upon the temperature fields.Therefore, the computation of the gravels embankment is mainly based on the gravels model.Simulation results show that in summer, a clockwise circulation of the pore-air extends throughout most of the embankment. However its motion is very weak that results in relatively straight horizontal isotherm lines. And heat transfer is mainly maintained through conduction. But in winter, the pore-air velocities are higher and multiple vortexes are formed in the embankment.Natural convection then becomes the dominant influence on the isotherm shapes within the embankment. The isotherms are complex and alternative upward and downward flowing plumes exist. The winter-time convection can further reduce the temperature of the foundation soil beneath the gravel embankment. In addition, the effects of the gravel dimensions within the embankment have been analyzed and compared in the gravels model. It shows that in winter, large stones, e.g. 200 mm, lead to stronger vortexes than those of small stones, say 60 mm. Consequently, the zone of low-temperature beneath the large-stone embankment extends deeper into the ground.     

Texture‐based image segmentation applied to the quantification of superficial sand in salmonid river gravels

The presence of ?ne sediment in river gravels is widely recognized as being detrimental to salmonid habitat quality. In order to facilitate quanti?cation of sand presence at larger scales, this paper presents an application of image processing allowing for rapid and accurate assessments of super?cial sand presence in dry exposed ?uvial gravels. Images for the process are acquired with a 35 mm SLR ?lm camera and then scanned with a desktop scanner. Texture‐based segmentation is then applied to differentiate between sand and clast areas. Results show that the method is accurate and therefore it offers an alternative to bulk sampling in cases where rapid assessments of sand presence are required. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

TRANSPORT OF GRAVELS WITH DIFFERENT RANGES OF GRAIN SIZES IN A STEEP CHANNEL

An understanding of the transport mechanism of gravel-bed rivers is very important for the river management and engineering works. The main objective of this study was to conduct a series of laboratory experiment in a steep flume to investigate the particle segregation and the transport rate of nonuniform gravel. Median sizes of 15 mm and 7.5 mm, and gradation coefficients of 1.5 and 2.0 were selected for the particle size distributions of nonuniform gravel. In addition to the 36 sets of data collected in this study, 635 sets of existing data for gravel with both nonuniform and nearly uniform sizes were analyzed. According to the results of the sieve analysis and the related theory, hiding functions for both particle size distributions of this study were derived. An attempt was made to develop an Einstein-type transport relationship for nonuniform gravel using dimensionless parameters with mean size as a representative particle size. A modified Schoklitsch-type sediment transport equation with a critical unit flow discharge was also developed to reasonably predict the transport rate of gravels. In addition, an artificial neural network (ANN) model with a back-propagation network (BPN) algorithm was also applied in this study.     

国内外液化砂砾土土性对比分析

砂土液化问题的研究特别是砂土液化的判别目前已经取得了较大的进展,并在国内外现行的规范中充分反映,而砂砾土由于颗粒大、透水性好,普遍认为地震时孔压不至于上升至液化的程度,往往将其划分为非液化土类。通过调查汶川地震砂砾土液化情况以及勘察试验获取其土性资料,对比分析了国内外液化砂砾土的地质背景及土性特征。主要认识为：①以往国内外砂砾土液化实例虽然有限,但已经表明松散-稍密的砂砾土在一定的地震强度下仍有可能发生液化,而2008年汶川地震中的大量砂砾土液化的事实,说明笼统地将砂砾土划归为非液化土类的做法有误;②汶川地震液化砂砾土的颗粒级配范围涵盖了国内外其他地震的颗粒级配,研究汶川地震的砂砾土液化问题具有代表性和普遍性,以此建立的砂砾土液化评价方法在国际上应具有通用性。     

Differential bedload transport rates in a gravel-bed stream: A grain-size distribution approach

The grain-size distributions of bedload gravels in Oak Creek, Oregon, follow the ideal Rosin distribution at flow stages which exceed that necessary to initiate breakup of the pavement in the bed material. The distributions systematically vary with flow discharge and bed stress, such that at higher flow stages the grain sizes are coarser while the spread of the distribution decreases. A differential bedload transport function for individual grain-size fractions is formulated utilizing the dependence of the two parameters in the Rosin distribution on the flow stress. The total transport rate, which is also a function of the flow stress, is apportioned within the Rosin grain-size distribution to yield the fractional transport rates. The derived bedload function has the advantage of yielding smooth, continuous frequency distributions of transport rates for the grain-size fractions, in contrast to the discrete transport functions which predict rates for specified sieve fractions. Successful reproduction of the measured fractional transport rates and bedload grain-size distributions in Oak Creek by this approach demonstrates its potential for evaluations of transport rates of size fractions in gravel-bed streams. The approach will be useful in investigations of downstream changes in bed material grain-size distributions.     

The air flow and heat transfer in gravel embankment in permafrost areas

A comparative numerical investigation of transient temperature profile and pore-air velocities in horizontal rock block embankments are conducted using the “gravels model”, in which the embankment is composed of stones and air, and the “porous media model” respectively. As the velocities from the “gravels model” directly reflect the true flow of air and winter-time convection, in this paper it can be concluded that computational results from the “gravels model” are superior to the “porous media model”. In addition, the “gravels model” has the advantages of reflecting the effect of the dimensions and collocation of gravels upon the temperature fields. Therefore, the computation of the gravels embankment is mainly based on the gravels model. Simulation results show that in summer, a clockwise circulation of the pore-air extends throughout most of the embankment. However its motion is very weak that results in relatively straight horizontal isotherm lines. And heat transfer is mainly maintained through conduction. But in winter, the pore-air velocities are higher and multiple vortexes are formed in the embankment. Natural convection then becomes the dominant influence on the isotherm shapes within the embankment. The isotherms are complex and alternative upward and downward flowing plumes exist. The winter-time convection can further reduce the temperature of the foundation soil beneath the gravel embankment. In addition, the effects of the gravel dimensions within the embankment have been analyzed and compared in the gravels model. It shows that in winter, large stones, e.g. 200 mm, lead to stronger vortexes than those of small stones, say 60 mm. Consequently, the zone of low-temperature beneath the large-stone embankment extends deeper into the ground.     

Surface particle sizes on armoured gravel streambeds: effects of supply and hydraulics

Most gravel‐bed streams exhibit a surface armour in which the median grain size of the surface particles is coarser than that of the subsurface particles. This armour has been interpreted to result when the supply of sediment is less than the ability of the stream to move sediment. While there may be certain sizes in the bed for which the supply is less than the ability of the stream to transport these sizes, for other sizes of particles the supply may match or even exceed the ability of the channel to transport these particles. These sizes of particles are called ‘supply‐limited’ and ‘hydraulically limited’ in their transport, respectively, and can be differentiated in dimensionless sediment transport rating curves by size fractions. The supply‐ and hydraulically limited sizes can be distinguished also by comparing the size of particles of the surface and subsurface. Those sizes that are supply‐limited are winnowed from the bed and are under‐represented in the surface layer. Progressive truncation of the surface and subsurface size distributions from the ?ne end and recalculation until the size distributions are similar (collapse), establishes the break between supply‐ and hydraulically limited sizes. At sites along 12 streams in Idaho ranging in drainage area from about 100 to 4900 km², sediment transport rating curves by size class and surface and subsurface size distributions were examined. The break between sizes that were supply‐ and hydraulically limited as determined by examination of the transport rate and surface and subsurface size distributions was similar. The collapse size as described by its percentile in the cumulative size distribution averaged D₃₆ of the surface and D₇₃ of the subsurface. The discharge at which the collapse size began to move averaged 88 per cent of bankfull discharge. The collapse size decreased as bed load yield increased and increased with the degree of selective transport. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Weathering model in paleomagnetic field intensity measurements on ancient fired clays

Nonlinearities observed in Thellier's plots are explained in terms of a weathering model. This model is based on the reduction in size of the originally present iron oxide particles, due to leaching. In the general case, the slope of the Thellier's plot is a function of the particle-size distributions of the magnetic particles, both newly formed and leached ones.In the special case in which the newly formed magnetic particles are superparamagnetic, the limiting value of the slope of the Thellier's plot towards the magnetic ordering temperature is equal to the ratio of the ancient field intensity to the modern one.     

A casting procedure for reproducing coarse‐grained sedimentary surfaces

In the ?eld, the measurement of near‐bed hydraulics remains problematic. Greater precision is possible in the laboratory, but, in the case of gravels, it is dif?cult to create a water‐worked channel‐bed that is realistic enough to replicate faithfully the conditions found in nature. In this paper, a technique to reproduce coarse‐grained sedimentary fabrics of large areal extent is described. It involves moulding natural river‐bed surfaces from which facsimiles are cast. Remarkably realistic casts with dimensions of 1 m by 2 m have been produced and their quality assessed using spatial data derived using automated digital photogrammetry. The casts reproduce the prototype surfaces with errors at millimetre scale (0·5 per cent of the microrelief). The technique has facilitated the introduction of sedimentary surfaces that incorporate natural, complex structures of grains up to cobble size into experimental channels where detailed studies of near‐bed hydraulics can be carried out. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Particle path length distributions in meandering gravel‐bed streams: results from physical models

In gravel‐bed rivers with well‐de?ned pool–bar morphology, the path length of transported bed particles must be, at least during ‘channel‐forming’ ?ows, equal to the length scale of the morphology. This is the basis for some methods for estimating bed material transport rates. However, previous data, especially from ?eld tests, are often strongly positively skewed with mean much shorter than the pool–bar spacing. One possible explanation is that positively skewed distributions occur only in channels lacking distinct pool–bar topography or only at lower discharges in pool–bar channels. A series of ?ume experiments using ?uorescent tracers was used to measure path length distributions in low‐sinuosity meandering channels to assess the relation with channel morphology and ?ow conditions. At channel‐forming ?ows, 55 to 75 per cent of the tracer grains were deposited on the ?rst point bar downstream of the point of tracer input, with 15 per cent passing beyond the ?rst bar. Path length distributions are symmetrical with mean equal to the pool–bar spacing and can be described with a Cauchy distribution. In some cases there was a secondary mode close to the point of tracer introduction; this bimodal distribution ?ts a combined gamma–Cauchy distribution. Only when discharge was reduced below the channel‐forming ?ow were frequency distributions unimodal and positively skewed with no relation to the pool–bar spacing. Thus, path length distributions become more symmetrical, and mean path length increases to coincide with pool–bar spacing, as ?ow approaches channel‐forming conditions. This is a substantial modi?cation of existing models of particle transfer in gravel‐bed rivers. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vertical mixing of gravel over a long flood series

Vertical sediment exchange is a fundamental component of bedload transport in gravel‐bed channels. This paper describes the characteristic depth of exchange achieved over a long flood series. Analysis is based on 11 recoveries of magnetically tagged gravels deployed in Carnation Creek, Canada, completed between 1990 and 2008. Vertical grain exchange mixes gravels throughout the streambed relatively rapidly. Within one to eight floods the mean burial depth approaches two times the surface layer thickness, quantified by the 90th percentile of the size distribution. Finer gravels are mixed more rapidly into the bed than coarser gravels. Both active and passive grain exchanges throughout most of the bed produce the overall vertical distribution of marked grains. Gravel exchanges exhibit fairly consistent patterns once tracers are well mixed by large floods. Results highlight the role of flood sequence in determining exchange depths, support the notion of an upper limit to exchange, and underscore the importance of passive grain exchange. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental Research on Dynamic Shear Modular Ratio and Damping Ratio of Sandy Gravel Soil

The dynamic shear modulus ratio and damping ratio of sandy gravel are important parameters for the seismic response analysis of valley geomorphic sites,which have an important impact on the determination of design ground motion parameters. In this paper,the dynamic triaxial test of sandy gravels has been performed based on the project of the Shangluo Seismic Microzonation. Combined with the other results of sandy gravel,the recommended results of slightly dense,medium dense and dense sandy gravel were obtained. By building the typical site model,the influence of the dynamic shear modulus ratio and the damping ratio uncertainty on the seismic response of the site is studied. The results show that the uncertainty of the average of the dynamic shear modulus ratio and the damping ratio ± 1 times the standard deviation has little effect on the peak acceleration of the sandy gravel site,and the rationality of the grouping and statistical results is explained. Under different probability levels,the change in the shear modulus ratio and damping ratio leads to a significant difference in the high frequency response spectrum.The response spectrum of 0. 04-0. 1s ranges from about 20%,but it has little effect on the long period spectrum of more than 1. 0s. The study of dynamic shear modulus ratio and damping ratio of sandy gravel has the ability to improve the reliability of the designing ground motion parameters.     

Multiple calcrete profiles in the Tabernas Basin,southeast Spain: their origins and geomorphic implications

The paper describes a sequence of Pliocene(? ) to Quaternary age calcretes developed within alluvial fan and fluvial gravels in the Tabernas Basin, Almería Province, southeast Spain. Calcrete profiles are described from sites adjacent to major tributaries of the Rambla de Tabernas. Six distinct calcrete units are identified within the basin. These have variable distributions but have developed in an identifiable evolutionary sequence. Two pairs of calcrete units are widely present across the basin preserving two former land surfaces. Each of the former land surfaces has been planated and subsequently buried by alluvial fan or fluvial gravels. A massive calcrete unit is present at the base of each gravel sequence, immediately in contact with the underlying bedrock, with a less well developed calcrete unit situated at the top of the gravel sequence. The lowest two calcrete units within the basin are more spatially restricted and are confined to the floors and flanks of incised drainage lines. The geochemistry, macro- and micromorphological properties and geomorphological positions of the calcrete units are outlined and, on the basis of this information, their mode of origin identified. Two main modes of calcrete genesis appear to be present: massive calcretes situated in direct contact with bedrock are suggested to have formed by groundwater processes, whilst calcretes situated at the top of gravel sequences are likely to have developed by pedogenic processes. Calcrete genesis is subsequently considered in the context of the reconstruction of the early phases of landscape development, and is suggested to have been controlled by phases of uplift and stability within the Tabernas Basin. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating fine sediment mobilization and storage in a gravel‐bed river using controlled reservoir releases

Two controlled flow events were generated by releasing water from a reservoir into the Olewiger Bach, located near Trier, Germany. This controlled release of near bank‐full flows allowed an investigation of the fine sediment (<63 µm) mobilized from channel storage. Both a winter (November) and a summer (June) release event were generated, each having very different antecedent flow conditions. The characteristics of the release hydrographs and the associated sediment transport indicated a reverse hysteresis with more mass, but smaller grain sizes, moving on the falling limb. Fine sediment stored to a depth of 10 cm in the gravels decreased following the release events, indicating the dynamic nature and importance of channel‐stored sediments as source materials during high flow events. Sediment traps, filled with clean natural gravel, were buried in riffles before the release of the reservoir water and the total mass of fine sediment collected by the traps was measured following the events. Twice the mass of fine sediment was retained by the gravel traps compared with the natural gravels, which may be due to their altered porosity. Although the amount of fine sediment collected by the traps was not significantly related to measures of gravel structure, it was found to be significantly correlated to measures of local flow velocity and Froude number. A portion of the traps were fitted with lids to restrict surface exchange of water and sediment. These collected the highest amounts of event‐mobilized sediments, indicating that inter‐gravel lateral flows, not just surface infiltration of sediments, are important in replenishing and redistributing the channel‐stored fines. These findings regarding the magnitude and direction of fine sediment movement in gravel beds are significant in both a geomorphic and a biological context. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Particle-size analysis of aeolian dusts,soils and sediments in very small quantities using a Coulter Multisizer

The Coulter Multisizer has clearly defined strengths and weaknesses as a particle-sizing instrument. It is easier to operate than its Coulter predecessors, though less so than several of its competitors. The Multisizer is best suited to handle very small samples with a narrow particle-size range, such as aeolian dusts and other sediments available only in small quantities. For such samples, Multisizer analysis times are short, resolution is very high (256 size classes) and reproducibility is good. The Multisizer is less well suited to soils and other samples available in large quantities and with a broad particle-size range. For soil particle-size analyses a composite method is proposed involving: Multisizer (2–75 μm), Pipette (<2 μm) and Sieve (>75 μm). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

砂岩风化晕厚度在广东晚更新世测年中的应用

广东地区河流阶地和冲积扇沉积物中砂岩砾石风化晕随时间增厚。风化晕生长速度呈指数衰减,并拟合于下列公式:T 1485D4.13这里T=时间,以年表示,D=沉积物表部约50块砾石风化晕厚度的加权平均值,以毫米表示。利用风化晕厚度确定出广东地区河流第一和第二级阶地分别为1000—13300年和8600—26500年,肇庆盆地北部山前地带第Ⅰ和第Ⅱ级冲积扇分别为51500年和24400年。同时,在构造地貌变形分析的基础上,估算出本区三条主要北东向断裂带在晚更新世—中全新世的垂直断层作用速度为0.6—1.6毫米/年,中全新世甚或晚更新世晚期以来的活动速度极小     

A hybrid method for size characterization of coarse subsurface fluvial sediments

This paper introduces and evaluates a novel method for ascertaining the grain‐size distribution of subsurface sediments that involves profoundly less sampling effort than standard methods. It is based on hybrid sampling principles previously applied to the construction of synthetic surface grain‐size distributions. The method is developed from an empirical demonstration of the approximate similarity of surface and subsurface grain‐size distributions when compared over a common range of sizes. Subsurface hybrid models are found to provide good facsimiles of grain‐size distributions de?ned using standard criteria and to yield distribution percentiles with millimetre accuracy. The technique is presented as an expedient alternative to standard methods for large, perennial gravel‐bed rivers. As this is a new technique, prudent application is advised in lieu of further investigation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distribution of glaciofluvial sediment within and on the surface of a high arctic valley glacier: Marthabreen,Svalbard

Marthabreen is a 7·8 km long valley glacier in SW Spitsbergen. The glacier is partially covered by a layer of angular debris derived from rockfall in its accumulation area, pierced in places by pinnacles and ridges of glaciofluvial sediment. These concentrations of glaciofluvial sediment fall into three categories: (1) debris pinnacles; (2) longitudinal sediment dykes; (3) longitudinal ridge accumulations. Debris pinnacles are slabs of sediment (predominantly sands, gravels and cobbles) elevated to the glacier surface along thrusts. Longitudinal sediment dykes are low (<0·5 m high) ridges of debris melting out of vertical sediment dykes within the body of the glacier. They are composed of a range of facies including sands, granule gravels, pebble gravels and diamiction. These dykes are sub-parallel to the longitudinal foliation on the glacier and form during folding of the stratification. Longitudinal ridge accumulations are higher (>1 m high) ridges of sorted sand and gravels which are not associated with penetrative ice structures. Their occurrence downglacier of sediment dykes and debris pinnacles suggests that they originate as supraglacial or englacial channels or tunnels filled by sediment derived from the dykes or thrusts. The presence of large quantities of glaciofluvial sediment on the surface of Marthabreen does not imply englacial water flow at high levels within the glacier, but is related to ice deformational processes such as thrusting and folding of debris-rich stratification. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sedimentation within a regulated river

Channel change induced by tributary sediment injection to a regulated, gravel-bed river is described for the River Rheidol, U.K., eighteen years after dam closure. Morphological and sedimentological data are presented for an aggrading reach. A primary lobate bar appears to have initiated flow separation and the subsequent construction of channel-side berms. Hydraulic sorting has operated to produce both longitudinal and lateral particle-size reduction, and selective particle-size dispersal appears to be an important process influencing channel change. The channel is adjusting to a lower width-depth ratio form, of smaller capacity, and with a steeper slope.