Fluvial responses to environmental perturbations in the Northern Mediterranean since the Last Glacial Maximum

The numerical model HydroTrend, that produces daily time series of water discharge and sediment load to the ocean, is applied to three Mediterranean drainage basins to: (i) simulate the water and sediment flux changes to sedimentary basins through time and (ii) determine the impact of potential forcing factors on sediment and water fluxes to sedimentary basins and how this impact varied through time. Climate (precipitation, temperature and glacier equilibrium line) and drainage basin (basin elevation, drainage area and reservoir) reconstructions of the Po, Rhône and Têt river basins over the last 21 000 Cal. years B.P. are used as input to the model.Simulated sediment fluxes at the river mouth for the Po, Rhône and Têt River systems during the late Pleistocene were considerably higher compared to Holocene pristine sediment flux, with a factor 3.5, 2.4 and 2.4 respectively. For the Po River system and the Rhône River, deglaciation in the late Pleistocene is the main factor, responsible for these higher sediment fluxes. Drainage basin area change due to sea-level rise is the main cause of decrease in sediment flux for the Têt River system and to a certain extent for the Po River system. Man-made reservoirs reduced sediment flux to the ocean for the Po, Rhône and Têt rivers over the last 3–6 decades with a factor of 1.3, 3.8 and 2.4 respectively.Fluvial responses to climate and basin variations are reflected in the peak flood discharge and sediment concentration curves, where present-day water peak flood curves for all three rivers are the highest in the last 21 000 Cal. years B.P. However, their associated sediment concentration curves show opposite results because of diminishing glacial area and the impact of reservoirs. The Têt River system has the ability to generate hyperpycnal plumes although the occurrence frequency changes over time. Prior to 15 500 Cal. years B.P. the river system area was extended due to the low sea level, causing a less favorable regime to generate hyperpycnal events. Presently sediment trapping due to man-made reservoirs alters the river ability to generate hyperpycnal events.     

三峡水库蓄水后长江中游水沙时空变化的定量评估

定量评价三峡蓄水后长江中游流域水文情势的时空变化,为长江中游生态保护和区域水资源管理提供科学依据。采用变化范围法分析了长江干流5个水文站的流量、含沙量日均数据,定量评估了三峡工程蓄水后,长江中游水沙变化度最大的江段和水文指标类别,及其对应的生态影响。研究结果表明三峡蓄水后,下游河道含沙量的变化度远大于流量,除城陵矶站外,含沙量较蓄水前有了大幅度下降,宜昌站的含沙量下降幅度达到了一个数量级,洞庭湖对长江干流含沙量有明显的调蓄作用。流量的变化度随着与大坝距离的增加而减小,且在7~11月流量下降幅度明显。这些水文节律的变化将影响下游鱼类产卵栖息地以及滞洪区水生生物与周边植被的生长。     

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.     

“泾渭分明”的现代特点分析

清浊变化是指常年及汛期的含沙量及输沙量变化。泾河年均径流量仅为渭河的1/2倍(资料截止1997),输沙量却为渭河的2.35倍,含沙量为渭河的4.57倍。现在是泾浊渭清。输沙量与最大流量间为正相关关系,相关系数渭河为0.7516,泾河为0.8279。输沙量季节集中的程度更大,最大月输沙量占年输沙量的71.23%,最大月径流量占年径流量的39.22%。渭河较小的输沙量在于气候干旱导致的径流量减小。泾河较大的输沙量在于泾河流域现代人为活动对生态系统破坏更为严重。     

A hydrologic regression sediment-yield model for two ungaged watershed outlet stations in Africa

A hydrologic regression sediment-yield model was established to determine the relationship between water discharge and suspended sediment discharge at the Blue Nile and the Atbara River outlet stations during the flood season. The model consisted of two main submodels: (1) a suspended sediment discharge model, which was used to determine suspended sediment discharge for each basin outlet; and (2) a sediment rating model, which related water discharge and suspended sediment discharge for each outlet station. Due to the absence of suspended sediment concentration measurements at or near the outlet stations, a minimum norm solution, which is based on the minimization of the unknowns rather than the residuals, was used to determine the suspended sediment discharges at the stations. In addition, the sediment rating submodel was regressed by using an observation equations procedure. Verification analyses on the model were carried out and the mean percentage errors were found to be +12.59 and –12.39, respectively, for the Blue Nile and Atbara. The hydrologic regression model was found to be most sensitive to the relative weight matrix, moderately sensitive to the mean water discharge ratio, and slightly sensitive to the concentration variation along the River Nile's course.     

长江中下游河道冲淤演变的防洪效应

近年来长江中下游来沙量持续减少，河道面临长距离、长历时的冲淤调整，河道蓄泄关系发生变化，对防洪造成影响。在长江中下游河道冲淤及其蓄泄能力变化预测成果的基础上，对比计算了现状和未来河道蓄泄能力条件下，遇1954年洪水，长江上游水库防洪调度和中下游地区超额洪量的变化情况。结果表明，未来随着长江中下游河道进一步冲刷，河道槽蓄容积增加，相同防洪控制水位下的河道安全泄量增大，三峡水库在进行防洪调度时可下泄流量增大，总拦蓄洪量减小，长江中下游地区总超额洪量减小，但超额洪量在地区分布上存在从上游向下游转移的情况。     

长江中下游河道冲淤演变的防洪效应

近年来长江中下游来沙量持续减少,河道面临长距离、长历时的冲淤调整,河道蓄泄关系发生变化,对防洪造成影响。在长江中下游河道冲淤及其蓄泄能力变化预测成果的基础上,对比计算了现状和未来河道蓄泄能力条件下,遇1954年洪水,长江上游水库防洪调度和中下游地区超额洪量的变化情况。结果表明,未来随着长江中下游河道进一步冲刷,河道槽蓄容积增加,相同防洪控制水位下的河道安全泄量增大,三峡水库在进行防洪调度时可下泄流量增大,总拦蓄洪量减小,长江中下游地区总超额洪量减小,但超额洪量在地区分布上存在从上游向下游转移的情况。     

Coupled changes in sand grain size and sand transport driven by changes in the upstream supply of sand in the Colorado River: Relative importance of changes in bed-sand grain size and bed-sand area

Sand transport in the Colorado River in Marble and Grand canyons was naturally limited by the upstream supply of sand. Prior to the 1963 closure of Glen Canyon Dam, the river exhibited the following four effects of sand supply limitation: (1) hysteresis in sediment concentration, (2) hysteresis in sediment grain size coupled to the hysteresis in sediment concentration, (3) production of inversely graded flood deposits, and (4) development or modification of a lag between the time of a flood peak and the time of either maximum or minimum (depending on reach geometry) bed elevation. Construction and operation of the dam has enhanced the degree to which the first two of these four effects are evident, and has not affected the degree to which the last two effects of sand supply limitation are evident in the Colorado River in Marble and Grand canyons. The first three of the effects involve coupled changes in suspended-sand concentration and grain size that are controlled by changes in the upstream supply of sand. During tributary floods, sand on the bed of the Colorado River fines; this causes the suspended sand to fine and the suspended-sand concentration to increase, even when the discharge of water remains constant. Subsequently, the bed is winnowed of finer sand, the suspended sand coarsens, and the suspended-sand concentration decreases independently of discharge. Also associated with these changes in sand supply are changes in the fraction of the bed that is covered by sand. Thus, suspended-sand concentration in the Colorado River is likely regulated by both changes in the bed-sand grain size and changes in the bed-sand area. A physically based flow and suspended-sediment transport model is developed, tested, and applied to data from the Colorado River to evaluate the relative importance of changes in the bed-sand grain size and changes in the bed-sand area in regulating suspended-sand concentration. Although the model was developed using approximations for steady, uniform flow, and other simplifications that are not met in the Colorado River, the results nevertheless support the idea that changes in bed-sand grain size are much more important than changes in bed-sand area in regulating the concentration of suspended sand.     

Impact of human activity and climate change on suspended sediment load: the upper Yellow River, China

Fluvial suspended sediment has multi-fold environmental implications and the study of the variation in suspended sediment load (SSL) of rivers is important both in environmental earth sciences and in river environmental management. Based on data collected for the upper Yellow River of China in the past 50–60 years, the purpose of this study is to elucidate the impact of human activity and climate change on SSL, thereby to provide some knowledge for the improvement of the drainage basin management. The results show that the SSL of the upper Yellow River exhibited a remarkable decreasing trend. A number of reservoirs trapped a considerable amount of sediment, resulting in a reduction in SSL at Toudaoguai station, the most downstream station of the upper Yellow River. The analyses based on Mann–Kendall’U and double-mass plot indicate some turning points, which were caused by the Liujiaxia and Longyangxia Reservoirs, two major reservoirs on the upper Yellow River. The implementation of soil and water conservation measures reduced the runoff coefficient, and therefore, the intensity of soil erosion. The climate change also played a role in reducing sediment yield. The increase in air temperature enhanced the evapo-transpiration and reduced the runoff, by which the SSL decreased. The decreased frequency of sand-dust storms reduced the amount of wind-blown, sand and dust to the river reaches located in desert, also reducing the SSL. Seven influencing variables are selected to describe the changing human activity and climate. As some of the influencing variables are strongly inter-correlated, the principle component regression was used to establish the relationship between SSL and the influencing variables. The squared multiple correlation coefficient is R ² = 0.823. Some further research is suggested with the minerals and pollutants related with the SSL.     

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.     

Dynamics of the Kopački Rit (Croatia) wetland floodplain water regime

Kopa?ki Rit Nature Park is part of the Danube River natural floodplain and one of the last oases of wild life in the Danube River Basin. Due to its extraordinary value, it was inscribed on the list of Wetlands of International Importance in 1993. More than 2,000 species have been registered in this area, which consists of lakes, canals, grassland, marshland and forests. Even the number of investigations which have been performed on its biological and ecological features, hydrological and water resources characteristics, as a prerequisite for ecohydrological analyses, are still rather unknown in the scientific community. Mainly the Danube River and partly the River Drava cause flooding of Kopa?ki Rit and inundations enter the area from both the northern and southern parts. Results of hydrological and meteorological analysis show a decreasing trend of both mean and minimum, annual water levels in the Rivers Drava and Danube (respectively 1.8 and 1.38 cm/year). These reductions in water level can reduce the replenishment periods of Kopa?ki Rit Nature Park. In addition, a significant rise of mean annual air temperature and consequently water temperature (data 1988–2011) may be causing increasing evapotranspiration and loss of water within Kopa?ki Rit. But an encouraging counteracting finding is that, the results of frequency analysis show, even a discharge of 5-years’ return period on the River Danube inundates 70 % of the Danube floodplain and Kopa?ki Rit Nature Park.     

长江口南槽季节性冲淤变化及其对河流入海水沙响应关系的初步研究

本文利用长江口南槽1989年12个月的实测地形图和大通站相应的水沙资料,采用GIS技术和数理统计技术分析了南槽的地形变化及其与河流来水来沙的关系.结果表明南槽水深与大通站各月平均流量、输沙率和含沙量之间有明显的相关性,说明河口冲淤对流域水沙变化有敏感响应;河槽的响应具有1～1.5月的滞后性.     

Damming effect on the distribution of mercury in Wujiang River

Seasonal changes in total mercury concentrations in surface water were observed for the Wujiang River, with higher values at the time of greater flow. The total mercury in this river was mostly associated with suspended particles, particulate mercury accounting for 84% of the total mercury flux on average during the high flow period, and 52% of the total mercury flux on average in the low flow period. Significant losses of Hg from the water were observed in the downstreams of the reservoir. In addition, the concentrations of particulate mercury in the downstreams of reservoir appeared to have been enhanced by sediment re-suspension and shoreline erosion caused by flood discharge, while the filtered portion decreased. These observations suggested that reservoirs played an important role in controlling the transport and fate of mercury in the Wujiang River.     

The role of the Mississippi River in wetland loss in southeastern Louisiana,U.S.A.

The suspended load of the Lower Mississippi River has decreased almost 80 percent since 1850. The long-term suspended sediment record can be loosely subdivided into three phases: a historic interval prior to 1900, a predam period (1930–1952) and a postdam period (1963–1982). The suspended load decreased 43 percent from the historic to the predam period and 51 percent from the predam to the postdam period. The decreases in suspended load after 1952 coincide with the construction of reservoirs and dams on the Missouri and Arkansas rivers. Earlier decreases may be the result of changes in land use measurement practices. The decrease in suspended load and the elimination of overbank flow by the construction of artificial levees are considered to be major causes of coastal wetland loss in southeastern Louisiana. During the historic period sediment accumulation of the marsh surface was greater than the rate of water level rise. During the pre and postdam periods, the rate of water level rise exceeded sediment accretion on the marsh surface. Although the elimination of overbank sediment clearly exacerbated the wetlands loss, an accelerated rate of water level rise during the past 25 years has been a dominant factor. Based on estimates of available overbank sediment, it is suggested that the most viable management strategy for the wetlands would be the diversion of sediment into selected areas where the land loss is most critical.     

黄河倒灌渭河的数值模拟

根据渭河下游河道水沙及河床演变特性,提出了黄河倒灌渭河的数学模型.该模型不仅适用于黄河倒灌渭河时渭河下游河道水位、流量、含沙量及河床淤积的数值模拟,也适用于其它双向水流及干支流交汇或分流河段的水沙计算.验证计算表明,该模型能较好地反映黄河倒灌渭河时渭河下游水文泥沙因素变化.     

Effect of placer mining on suspended sediment in reaches of sensitive fish habitat

 The McQuesten River system in central Yukon Territory, Canada, contains placer mines and reaches of sensitive fish habitat. Suspended sediment is supplied to the system by erosion of previously mined disturbed areas, bank erosion, resuspension of placer sediment deposited on bars, and active placer-mine discharges. Direct discharge from active placer mines did not have a large impact on suspended sediment in reaches of sensitive fish habitat in 1994–1995, although only two mines were active and concentrations did periodically exceed water quality objectives. Erosion of previously mined disturbed areas had a pronounced effect on suspended sediment during spring snowmelt and summer rainstorms in 1994–1995. Deposits in previously mined areas should be stabilized to reduce erosion and its downstream impact on fish habitat. Received: 10 November 1997 · Accepted: 30 March 1998     

Assessing the impacts of climate and land use change on streamflow,water quality and suspended sediment in the Kor River Basin,Southwest of Iran

This research addressed the separate and combined impacts of climate and land use change on streamflow, suspended sediment and water quality in the Kor River Basin, Southwest of Iran, using (BASINS–WinHSPF) model. The model was calibrated and validated for hydrology, sediment and water quality for the period 2003–2012. The model was run under two climate changes, two land use changes and four combined change scenarios for near-future period (2020–2049). The results revealed that projected climate change impacts include an increase in streamflow (maximum increases of 52% under RCP 2.6 in December and 170% under RCP 8.5). Projected sediment concentrations under climate change scenarios showed a monthly average decrease of 10%. For land use change scenarios, agricultural development scenario indicated an opposite direction of changes in orthophosphate (increases in all months with an average increase of 6% under agricultural development scenario), leading to the conclusion that land use change is the dominant factor in nutrient concentration changes. Combined impacts results indicated that streamflows in late fall and winter months increased while in summer and early fall decreased. Suspended sediment and orthophosphate concentrations were decreased in all months except for increases in suspended sediment concentrations in September and October and orthophosphate concentrations in late winter and early spring due to the impact of land use change scenarios.     

天山南坡黄水沟与清水河寒区流域极端水文事件对气候变化的响应

冰川、积雪和冻土变化产生的水文效应对下游水资源供给具有重要影响,近几十年来新疆区域洪水呈显著加重趋势,尤其是南疆区域洪水明显加剧. 以天山南坡黄水沟与清水河寒区流域为研究区域,通过分析水文站极端水文事件,结合流域上游山区巴伦台气象站资料,研究了高寒山地流域在气候变化背景下极端水文过程出现时间、年最大和最小径流的响应特征. 结果表明：1986年是水文过程的突变点,从1986年开始随着降水、气温的增加,河流径流量呈增加趋势;最大年径流出现时间从6月中下旬推迟到7月下旬;最大径流和最小径流与年径流量呈正相关关系,最大径流与夏季降水关系密切,而最小年径流与冬春季的气温关系密切. 随着1986年以来的气温升高,冻土退化产生的水文效应使冬季径流增加明显,也使年最小径流明显增大;1986年以来降水变化决定着年径流量增加,使年最大径流集中出现在夏季且量级增大. 总体来讲,20世纪80年代中期以后山区河流年极端洪峰量增大,洪水量增多,年际间变化幅度明显增大,从而对下游造成更严重的灾害. 因此,加强气候变化对寒区流域水资源和洪水灾害的影响评估,使科学技术在减灾方面发挥主导作用.     

Glacier‐fed lakes as palaeoenvironmental archives

Glaciers show a sensitive and rapid response to climate shifts. Associated changes in ice extent drive variations in the production of rock flour, the suspended product of glacial erosion. These glacigenic sediments may accumulate in downstream lakes, continuously recording glacier history. Consequently, the lacustrine sediment records of such glacier‐fed lakes represent valuable palaeoenvironmental archives that help constrain past climate variability. In this paper, we discuss the multi‐disciplinary methodological toolbox that is applied to fingerprint a glacier signal from such lake sediments. Special emphasis is placed on dating methods, which transform stratigraphical data into climate time series, allowing us to distinguish leads and lags between archives. We also elaborate on techniques that are used to validate sediment‐based glacier signals and resolve their climate signature. Finally, we conclude with a brief outlook on new research avenues such as proxy data–climate model comparisons.     

黄河下游洪水冲淤相对平衡的分组含沙量阈值探讨

河床冲淤相对平衡下的洪水分组含沙量阈值是多泥沙河流水沙调控的重要参数.基于河床演变学的原理,根据黄河下游200余场次洪水实测资料,探讨了洪水分组含沙量阈值和分组来沙系数阈值.研究表明,黄河下游洪水过程中,在一定的分组含沙量及来沙系数条件下,可以使得河床冲淤达到相对平衡.对于悬沙以细泥沙为主的洪水,其河槽冲淤临界含沙量与主槽单宽流量、最大日均流量、花园口以下河段最小平滩流量、床沙中值粒径大于0.05 mm的沙重百分数有关;对于悬沙以中粗泥沙为主的临界含沙量则与粒径大于0.05 mm的沙重百分数无关;对于悬沙以粗泥沙为主的临界含沙量除与细泥沙临界含沙量的因素有关外,还与悬沙中值粒径小于0.025 mm、大于0.05 mm的沙重百分数有关.对于含沙量级相近的洪水,若流量级不同,同样可以产生不同的冲淤结果,即存在着分组来沙系数临界值.