Composition and mineralogy of suspended sediment in the fluvio-estuarine zone of the Loire River, France

The fluvio-tidal transition of suspended sediment in terms of mineralogy and composition in the Loire River drainage basin, the largest French river basin, was investigated in the fluvial zone at Montjean and in the tidal zone at Mauves-Thouaré, for a complete seasonal cycle. At Montjean, where the river experiences unidirectional flow, the composition and mineralogy (especially clays and clay minerals) of river suspended material (RSM) are governed by the river discharge, upstream contributions, climatic conditions and microbiological activities. However, due to reversing tidal and river currents at Thouaré, in the zone of tidal dynamics, these relations are changed. In the downstream direction sand and clay content in the RSM decrease while the silt content increases. Among clay minerals, between these two observation stations, montmorillonite remains constant, kaolinite diminishes, and the other minerals increase downstream. Combustible material (organic) and nitrate (NO₃) contents in the RSM increase whereas the phosphate (PO₄^3-) and CaCO₃ contents decline considerably during transport. At the head of the tidal zone, where the river flow encounters the tidal influence, there is a relatively stationary water mass (tidal slack) where sands, clays, phosphate, carbonate and silica are deposited by physical and chemical processes. Physical sedimentation takes place by simple gravitational deposition (sands), and by sorting and complicated differential settling (clays); chemical sedimentation takes place by precipitation (calcite-CaCO₃; apatite-Ca₅ (PO₄)³ (OH,F,Cl); coagulation of dissolved silica-SiO₂) in connection with seasonal algal bloom and eutrophic events.     

Mercury speciation in soils of the industrialised Thur River catchment (Alsace,France)

Methylmercury (MeHg) and total Hg (THg) concentrations in soil profiles were monitored in the Thur River basin (Alsace, France), where a chlor-alkali plant has been located in the city of Vieux-Thann since the 1930s. Three soil types were studied according to their characteristics and location in the catchment: industrial soil, grassland soil and alluvial soil. Contamination of MeHg and THg in soil was important in the vicinity of the plant, especially in industrial and alluvial soil. Concentrations of MeHg reached 27 ng g⁻¹ and 29,000 ng g⁻¹ for THg, exceeding the predictable no effect concentration. Significant ecotoxicological risk exists in this area and remedial actions on several soil types are suggested. In each type of soil, MeHg concentrations were highest in topsoil, which decreased with depth. Concentrations of MeHg were negatively correlated with soil organic matter and total S, particularly when MeHg concentrations exceeded 8 ng g⁻¹. Under these conditions, MeHg concentrations in soil seemed to be influenced by THg, soil organic matter and total S concentrations. It was found that high MeHg/THg ratios (near 2%) in soil were mainly related to the combined soil environmental conditions such as low THg concentrations, low organic C/N ratios (<11) and relatively low pH (5–5.5). Nevertheless, even when the MeHg/THg ratio was low (∼0.04%), MeHg and THg concentrations were elevated, up to 13 ng g⁻¹ and to 29,000 ng g⁻¹, respectively. Thus, both THg and MeHg concentrations should be taken into account to assess potential environmental risks of Hg.     

The changes in the lower Drava River water level, discharge and suspended sediment regime

Massive construction on the Drava River basin and on the river itself during the last centuries, as well as recent climate change and/or variability, has caused many different and possibly dangerous changes to its hydrological and ecological regime. Since 1975, numerous hydrotechnical works have been carried out on the 60-km long section of the Drava River from the Slovenian–Croatian border to the River Mura mouth. Three hydrotechnical power plants with three reservoirs and three long inlet and outlet canals have been built. Changes in water level, discharge and suspended sediment yield along the Drava River measured in Croatia, downstream of the three Croatian reservoirs, during the last 30–130 years are presented. The investigation focuses on changes that have occurred during the last thirty-odd years, caused by the anthropogenic influences on the Drava River watercourse and its catchment in Croatia and Hungary, and probably by climate change or variability. Methods of rescaled adjusted partial sums, statistical tests, as well as regression and correlation analyses are used to explain changes in water level, discharge and suspended sediment yield. There is evidence in the time series of decreases in the minimum, mean and maximum annual water levels, and minimum and mean discharges on the lower part of the Drava River. One of the main objectives of this study was to examine the effect of dams and reservoirs operation on the changes in the downstream suspended sediment regime. The amount of suspended sediment has been greatly reduced, which can cause serious consequences.     

黄河下游不同河段分组悬沙输移对河床冲淤的影响

小浪底水库运行后,坝下游分组悬沙输移特点发生改变,不同河段冲淤过程有所差别。基于1999—2018年坝下游实测水沙资料及固定淤积断面地形数据,分析汛期分组悬沙输移的沿程调整特点,建立分组悬沙输移及河床边界条件双重影响下不同河段河床累计冲淤量的计算关系。分析结果表明：(1)汛期各组沙输沙率远小于蓄水前,且中沙输沙率降幅最大,在各水文断面平均降幅为85%;沿程上细沙输沙率基本不恢复,而中沙和粗沙恢复距离分别到利津及艾山。(2)坝下游河床持续冲刷,各河段河床组成均发生不同程度的粗化;在拦沙后期(2007—2018年),游荡段和过渡段床沙中细沙和中沙占比不足5%,对悬沙几乎无补给作用,而弯曲段床沙对中沙仍有一定的补给能力。(3)下游各河段以冲刷下切为主,但调整幅度不同,故对水流的约束能力有所差异。建立了各河段累计冲淤量与前期河相系数及进口断面分组来沙系数的经验关系,并采用2019年下游水沙数据对公式进行了初步验证,公式能合理反映断面形态与分组悬沙输移对河床累计冲淤过程的影响。     

Distribution and contamination assessment of toxic trace elements in sediment of the Daliao River System, China

The Daliao River System (DRS) is one of the major river systems in the northeastern China and receives substantial discharges from industrial, municipal, and agricultural effluents. In this study, the contents and partition of toxic trace elements in the DRS sediments were evaluated in terms of contamination levels and ecological risks using geoaccumulation index (Igeo), relative enrichment factor (REF), sediment pollution index (SPI), and potential effect concentration quotient (PECQ). Fourteen samples were collected and measured for trace and major elements and sediment properties. The following concentration ranges (mg kg^?1) of toxic trace elements were found: As, 1.6–18.0; Cd 0.1–0.9; Co 3.8–23.4; Cr 12.9–151.6; Cu 4.6–86.1; Hg 0.01–0.35; Ni 8.4–64.4; Pb 11.6–67.1; Sb 0.13–1.77; V 18.5–153.3; and Zn 20.4–211.3. The proportions of soluble and exchangeable trace metals were less than 1 %, while the proportions of trace metals bound to carbonate, amorphous oxides, organic matter, and crystalline oxides were usually each <10 %. However, 28.8 % of Cd, on average, was associated with carbonate. The average proportions of trace metals in the residual fraction ranged 57.3 % for Cd to 85.4 % for Cr, indicating low mobility and bioavailability. Cr, Ni, V, and Co in the sediments mainly originated from natural sources, while Cd, As, Pb, Sb, and Hg partially originated from anthropogenic sources. The Igeo, REF, SPI, and PECQ values of the heavy metals in the sediment were not in agreement with each another. The average REF values of Cd and As were higher than those of the other metals. However, the average PECQ value was higher for Cr and Ni than for the other metals, indicating that these two metals would cause higher adverse biological effects than the other metals. In addition, the sediments located adjacent to cities were more contaminated. Therefore, it is suggested that future management and pollution control within the DRS might focus on As, Cd, Cr, and Ni in the sediments, particularly in the sediments adjacent to cities.     

Distributions of pesticides and organic contaminants between water and suspended sediment,San Francisco Bay,California

Suspended-sediment and water samples were collected from San Francisco Bay in 1991 during low river discharge and after spring rains. All samples were analyzed for organophosphate, carbamate, and organochlorine pesticides; petroleum hydrocarbons; biomarkers; and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. The objectives were to determine the concentrations of these contaminants in water and suspended sediment during two different hydrologic conditions and to determine partition coefficients of the contaminants between water and sediment. Concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants, such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, varied with location of sample collection, riverine discharge, and tidal cycle. Concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants in suspended sediments were highest during low river discharge but became diluted as agricultural soils entered the bay after spring rains. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons defined as dissolved in the water column were not detected. The concentrations sorbed on suspended sediments were variable and were dependent on sediment transport patterns in the bay. In contrast, the relatively hydrophilic organophosphate pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon, has a more uniform concentration in suspended sediment. These pesticides were detected only after spring rains. Most of the measured diazinon, at least 98% for all samples, was in the dissolved phase. Measured partition coefficients for diazinon generally were uniform, which suggests that suspended-sediment concentrations were close to equilibrium with dissolved concentrations. The concentration of diazinon sorbed to suspended sediments, at any given sampling site, was driven primarily by the more abundant solution concentration. The concentrations of diazinon sorbed to suspended sediments, therefore, were independent of the patterns of sediment movement.     

Relationship between organic matter and mercury in recent lake sediment: The physical–geochemical aspects

This study addresses the physical geochemical aspects of the relationship between Hg and organic matter in recent sediment from eutrophic lakes in central Alberta, Canada. The types of organic matter in the sediment are classified based on their degree of thermal degradation and their petrographical characteristics. This study uniquely applies the methods conventionally used in petroleum geosciences (Rock-Eval^® analyses and organic petrology) to investigate the relationship between various types of organic matter and the concentration of Hg in sediment.The results show that the total organic carbon (TOC) in sediment represents the sum of various organic compounds, which may play a completely different role in the distribution and accumulation of Hg. Strong correlations between TOC and the concentration of Hg in the studied sediment arise mainly from the thermally labile portion of organic matter released during pyrolysis under 300 °C. These compounds primarily consist of easily degradable algal-derived lipids and various pigments, which are petrographically described as soluble organic matter (SOM). The preserved SOM in sediment is commonly entrapped within the cell walls of phytoplankton and also appear as surface coating on sediment particles. The strong affinity between Hg and SOM is due not only to its chemical reactivity, but also to the physical characteristic of these labile compounds. The SOM may provide a substrate with enormous surface area by concentrating on the finer sediment size fractions and potentially acting as a “concentrator” for Hg and other organic-associated elements. Lastly, the quantity of the SOM has been calculated as an “elemental concentrator” portion of the TOC, which plays the most important role in the distribution of Hg in sediment.     

Organic matter in the bottom sediments of the Ob Bay: Distribution,nature, and sources

The lateral variability of main geochemical parameters of dispersed organic matter (DOM) in the bottoms sediments of the Ob Bay was studied using materials of areal geological survey. It was found that they correspond to background compositions of estuarine-delta facies of the Western Arctic shelf, being mainly determined by the influx of river run-off and coastal abrasion. The distribution of DOM and its components is controlled by the hydrodynamic regime of the water area and grain-size composition of sediments. The molecular composition of hydrocarbon markers (n-alkanes, cyclanes, and arenes) confirms the dominant role of terrigenous humic material in the formation of DOM of the bottom sediments, while temporal stability of quantitative and qualitative geochemical characteristics indicates the stability of the Ob Bay ecosystem.     

A modeling study of the Satilla River estuary,Georgia. II: suspended sediment

A three-dimensional (3-D) suspended sediment model was coupled with a 3-D hydrodynamic numerical model and used to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of suspended sediments in the Satilla River estuary of Georgia. The hydrodynamic model was a modified ECOM-si model with inclusion of the flooding-drying cycle over intertidal salt marshes. The suspended sediment model consisted of a simple passive tracer equation with inclusion of sinking, resuspension, and sedimentation processes. The coupled model was driven by tidal forcing at the open boundary over the inner shelf of the South Atlantic Bight and real-time river discharge at the upstream end of the estuary, with a uniform initial distribution of total suspended sediment (TSS). The initial conditions for salinity were specified using observations taken along the estuary. The coupled model provided a reasonable simulation of both the spatial and temporal distributions of observed TSS concentration. Model-predicted TSS concentrations varied over a tidal cycle; they were highest at maximum flood and ebb tidal phases and lowest at slack tides. Model-guided process studies suggest that the spatial distribution of TSS concentration in the Satilla River estuary is controlled by a complex nonlinear physical process associated with the convergence and divergence of residual flow, a non-uniform along-estuary distribution of bottom stress, and the inertial effects of a curved shoreline.     

Zn isotopes in the suspended load of the Seine River, France: Isotopic variations and source determination

We report Zn isotopic ratios (δ⁶⁶Zn) of river suspended particulate matter (SPM) and floodplain deposits (FD) from the Seine basin, France, with a precision ?0.05‰. A decrease in δ⁶⁶Zn from 0.30‰ to 0.08‰ is observed in SPM from the upstream to downstream parts of the fluvial system, associated with an increase in Zn concentration from 100 ppm to 400 ppm. The Zn/Al of SPM at the river mouth is up to five times greater than the Zn/Al of the natural background, and by normalizing to the later value we define a Zn enrichment factor. Suspended sediments from a temporal series of samples collected in Paris display a similar variation in δ⁶⁶Zn of between 0.08‰ and 0.26‰, while showing an inverse relationship between the Zn enrichment factor and δ⁶⁶Zn. The amount of Zn transported as suspended load varies from 10% to 90%, as a function of increasing discharge. The δ⁶⁶Zn of SPM and the dissolved load are correlated, suggesting that adsorption processes are probably not the dominant process by which the Zn enrichment of SPM takes place. Instead, we interpret our data as reflecting the mixture of two main populations of suspended particles with distinct δ⁶⁶Zn. The first is characteristic of natural silicate particles transported by erosion processes to the river, while the second likely represents anthropogenic particles derived from wastewater treatment plants or combined sewer overflows. Based on isotopic ratios, we calculate that 70% of Zn in SPM of the Seine River in Paris is of anthropogenic origin.     

黄河下游河道输沙水量及计算方法研究

根据黄河下游1950年以来的水沙、河道冲淤及洪水观测资料,系统分析了黄河下游主要控制站输沙水量与来沙量、洪水量级、水沙搭配、区间引水引沙及河道允许淤积度等因子间的相互关系。在探讨泥沙输移规律和机理的基础上,引入水沙搭配参数,建立了适用于黄河下游主要控制站汛期及洪水期计算输沙水量的数学表达式,量化了水沙条件及河道允许淤积度变化对河道输沙水量的影响程度。该研究对维持黄河健康生命及黄河水资源的规划利用具有重要的理论和实际意义。     

黄河下游输沙水量研究综述

对输沙水量的计算方法,黄河下游汛期、非汛期输沙水量的研究现状,水库对输沙水量的影响,输沙用水总量的研究现状等方面分别作了回顾。分析指出,输沙水量与来水含沙量、来水流量、河道冲淤、河床前期条件等有关。黄河下游各时期输沙水量不同,汛期最小,其余依次为非汛期、冬三月、凌汛期。水库调水调沙的同时也改变着黄河下游的输沙水量。利用水库群调水调沙,使小浪底水库以造床流量、高含沙水流输沙,是目前推荐的黄河下游节水减淤高效输沙入海的主要方式。提出了一些有待进一步研究的问题。     

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.     

Exchange of polychlorinated biphenyls between sediment and water in the Hudson River estuary

Sediment-bound polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) measured at several sites in the lower Hudson River Estuary are above equilibrium with the overlying water, providing a thermodynamic driving force for exchange from sediment to water. The fluxes of PCB congeners are estimated for a number potential processes: diffusive release of dissolved and colloidal PCBs from the bed, resuspension and subsequent desorption from resuspended particles, and sediment accumulation and burial. All processes are potentially significant, at least for some congeners. The sediment exchange fluxes of PCB solutes for five sites between Governors Island and Haverstraw Bay are estimated to be 20–860 μm m^?2 d^?1, which is between 2 and 100 times more than the flux of dissolved PCBs coming down the river at Haverstraw Bay. Much of the exchange from sediment to water may be balanced by burial of sorbed PCBs by sediment accumulation. Advection down the river and sediment exchange dominate other potential sources of PCBs to the lower estuary under current loading conditions. The magnitude of the calculated fluxes is consistent with the nonconservative behavior of PCBs in the same region but is higher than earlier modeling estimates that employed different assumptions.     

Silicon isotope compositions of dissolved silicon and suspended matter in the Yangtze River, China

Silicon isotope compositions of main channel samples of the Yangtze River were systematically investigated along with their chemical compositions. The concentration of suspended matter in the Yangtze River tends to decrease from the upper reaches to the lower reaches, corresponding to settling of the sediments in the lakes and reservoirs due to reduction of the velocity of water flow. The silica contents of suspended matter vary from 52.1% to 56.9% and their δ³⁰Si values vary from 0 to −0.7‰, both similar to those of shales. From the upper to lower reaches, the silica contents of suspended matter tend to increase, whilst their δ³⁰Si values tend to decrease. Both trends reflect the increase of clay minerals and decrease of carbonates in suspended matter.The concentrations of dissolved silicon vary from 97 to 121 μmol/L and their δ³⁰Si values vary over a wide range from 0.7 to 3.4‰. From the upper to lower reaches, dissolved silica concentrations tend to decrease and their δ³⁰Si values tend to increase. These trends mainly reflect the change of chemical and isotopic characteristics of the tributaries from the upper to lower reaches. The major factors responsible for these changes may be the high meteoric precipitation and significant silicon absorption by grass (in wetlands) and rice (in paddy fields) in drainage areas of the middle and lower reaches.There is no correlation between δ³⁰Si of dissolved silicon and that of suspended matter. The Δ³⁰Si_Diss-SPM values vary over a wide range of 1.0-3.7‰, indicating that (1) they are out of isotopic equilibrium, (2) dissolved silicon and the associated suspended matter do not belong to one physico-chemical system, and (3) isotopic exchange rate between them is very slow.The δ³⁰Si value of dissolved silicon output from the Yangtze River to the East Sea is estimated to be 3.0‰, much higher than the values reported for the Amazon and Congo rivers. This increases the δ³⁰Si range of dissolved silicon in the world’s rivers from 0.4-1.2%; to 0.4-3.4%.     

Flow and sediment transport over large subaqueous dunes: Fraser River, Canada

Large symmetric and asymmetric dunes occur in the Fraser River, Canada. Symmetric dunes have stoss and lee sides of similar length, stoss and lee slope angles <8°, and rounded crests. Asymmetric dunes have superimposed small dunes on stoss sides, sharp crests, stoss sides longer than lee sides, stoss side slopes <3° and straight lee side slopes up to 19°. There is no evidence for lee side flow separation, although intermittent separated flow is possible, especially over asymmetric dunes. Dune symmetry and crest rounding of symmetric dunes are associated with high sediment transport rates. High near-bed velocity and bed load transport near dune crests result in crest rounding. Long, low-angle lee sides are produced by deposition of suspended sediment in dune troughs. Asymmetric dunes appear to be transitional features between large symmetric dunes and smaller dunes adjusted to lower flow velocity and sediment transport conditions. Small dunes on stoss sides reduce near-bed flow velocity and bed load transport, causing a sharper dune crest. Reduced deposition of suspended sediment in troughs results in a short, steep lee slope. Dunes in the Fraser River fall into upper plane bed or antidune stability fields on flume-based bedform phase diagrams. These diagrams are probably not applicable to large dunes in deep natural flows and care must be taken in modelling procedures that use phase diagram relations to predict bed configuration in such flows.     

Controls of variation in suspended sediment concentration in the River Rother, West Sussex, England

Suspended sediment concentrations were determined for samples collected from the River Rother, West Sussex, and rating loops constructed for several hydrographs. The rating loops often exhibit hysteresis with a greater suspended sediment concentration for a given discharge occurring on the rising limb than on the falling limb. A comparison of these loops indicates that the hysteresis, and the suspended sediment concentration (for a given discharge) become progressively reduced when storm events occur in rapid succession. Various types of rating curves can be identified, and a model of suspended sediment concentration and discharge constructed. Controlling factors of suspended sediment concentration are river discharge, duration and frequency of the storm event, the length of time between successive events, and the time of year.     

On the relationship between flow and suspended sediment transport over the crest of a sand dune, Río Paraná, Argentina

The links between large‐scale turbulence and the suspension of sediment over alluvial bedforms have generated considerable interest in the last few decades, with past studies illustrating the origin of such turbulence and its influence on flow resistance, sediment transport and bedform morphology. In this study of turbulence and sediment suspension over large sand dunes in the Río Paraná, Argentina, time series of three‐dimensional velocity, and at‐a‐point suspended sediment concentration and particle‐size, were measured with an acoustic Doppler current profiler and laser in situ scattering transmissometer, respectively. These time series were decomposed using wavelet analysis to investigate the scales of covariation of flow velocity and suspended sediment. The analysis reveals an inverse relationship between streamwise and vertical velocities over the dune crest, where streamwise flow deceleration is linked to the vertical flux of fluid towards the water surface in the form of large turbulent fluid ejections. Regions of high suspended sediment concentration are found to correlate well with such events. The frequencies of these turbulent events have been assessed from wavelet analysis and found to concentrate in two zones that closely match predictions from empirical equations. Such a finding suggests that a combination and interaction of vortex shedding and wake flapping/changing length of the lee‐side separation zone are the principal contributors to the turbulent flow field associated with such large alluvial sand dunes. Wavelet analysis provides insight upon the temporal and spatial evolution of these coherent flow structures, including information on the topology of dune‐related turbulent flow structures. At the flow stage investigated, the turbulent flow events, and their associated high suspended sediment concentrations, are seen to grow with height above the bed until a threshold height (ca 0·45 flow depth) is reached, above which they begin to decay and dissipate.