The role of long‐term human impact on avulsion and fan development

This study aims to understand (mainly qualitatively) the long‐term role of human impact on avulsion processes and the development of fluvial (mega‐) fans in semi‐arid environments. In this paper we refer to human impact as the direct influences of actions on the river's hydraulics (i.e. flow regulation, flow diversion and channel engineering). In five case‐studies drawn from the Khuzestan plains in southwest Iran we have analysed the setup and triggering conditions of specific avulsions that occurred in the past (timescale of millennia) and identified the role of human interference in their causation. Our analysis is based on the integration of historical, archaeological, geomorphological and geological data. Through this study we demonstrate that avulsions in the Khuzestan plains are the result of long‐term and complex interplay between multiple human‐induced and natural causes. In similar ways human‐induced actions may play important roles during different phases of avulsion development. The ‘success‘ of an avulsion in the post‐triggering phase may be defined by human‐induced setup causes as well as morphodynamic processes. We suggest that present‐day flood events may be partly inherited from long‐term human alterations of the natural processes. These finding could have implications for any fluvial system (e.g. distributive fluvial systems, deltas) where avulsion plays a major role in their development and research tends to emphasize on natural mechanisms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using LM‐OSL of quartz to distinguish sediments derived from surface‐soil and channel erosion

This study describes the use of linearly modulated optically stimulated luminescence (LM‐OSL) to distinguish surface‐soil derived sediments from those derived from channel bank erosion. LM‐OSL signals from quartz extracted from 15 surface‐soil and five channel bank samples were analysed and compared to signals from samples collected from two downstream river sites. Discriminant analysis showed that the detrapping probabilities of fast, first slow and second slow components of the LM‐OSL signal can be used to differentiate between the samples collected from the channel bank and surface‐soil sources. We show that for each of these source end members these components are all normally distributed. These distributions are then used to estimate the relative contribution of surface‐soil derived and channel bank derived sediment to the river bed sediments. The results indicate that channel bank derived sediments dominate the sediment sources at both sites, with 90.1 ± 3% and 91.9 ± 1.9% contributions. These results are in agreement with a previous study which used measurements of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb_ex fallout radionuclides to estimate the relative contribution from these two sources. This result shows that LM‐OSL may be a useful method, at least in the studied catchment, to estimate the relative contribution of surface soil and channel erosion to river sediments. However, further research in different settings is required to test the difference of OSL signals in distinguishing these sediment sources. And if generally acceptable, this technique may provide an alternative to the use of fallout radionuclides for source tracing. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Log‐jams and avulsions in the San Antonio River Delta,Texas

The San Antonio River Delta (SARD), Texas, has experienced two major avulsions in the past 80 years, and a number of other historical and Holocene channel shifts. The causes and consequences of these avulsions – one of which is ongoing – were examined using a combination of fieldwork, geographic information system (GIS) analysis, and historical information to identify active, semi‐active, and paleochannels and the sequence of shifting flow paths through the delta. The role of deposition patterns and antecedent morphology, large woody debris jams, and tectonic influences were given special attention. Sedimentation in the SARD is exacerbated by tectonic effects. Channel aggradation is ubiquitous, and superelevation of the channel bed above the level of backswamp areas on the floodplain is common. This creates ideal setup conditions for avulsions, and stable, cohesive fine‐grained banks favor avulsions rather than lateral migration. Flood basins between the alluvial ridges associated with the aggraded channels exist, but avulsions occur by re‐occupation of former channels found within or connected to the flood basins. Large woody debris and channel‐blocking log‐jams are common, and sometimes displace flow from the channel, triggering crevasses. However, a large, recurring log‐jam at the site of the ongoing avulsion from the San Antonio River into Elm Bayou is not responsible for the channel shift. Rather, narrow, laterally stable channels resulting from flow splits lead to accumulation of wood. Some aspects of the SARD avulsion regime are typical of other deltas, while others are more novel. These includes avulsions involving tributaries and subchannels within the delta as well as from the dominant channel; tectonic influences on delta backstepping and on channel changes within the delta; avulsions as an indirect trigger for log‐jam formation (as well as vice‐versa); and maintenance of a multi‐channel flow pattern distinct from classic anastamosing or distributary systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of lithology on valley width,terrace distribution,and bedload provenance in a tectonically stable catchment with flat‐lying stratigraphy

How rock resistance or erodibility affects fluvial landforms and processes is an outstanding question in geomorphology that has recently garnered attention owing to the recognition that the erosion rates of bedrock channels largely set the pace of landscape evolution. In this work, we evaluate valley width, terrace distribution, and bedload provenance in terms of reach scale variation in lithology in the study reach and discuss the implications for landscape evolution in a catchment with relatively flat‐lying stratigraphy and very little uplift. A reach of the Buffalo National River in Arkansas was partitioned into lithologic reaches and the mechanical and chemical resistance of the main lithologies making up the catchment was measured. Valley width and the spatial distribution of terraces were compared among the different lithologic reaches. The surface grain size and provenance of coarse (2–90 mm) sediment of both modern gravel bars and older terrace deposits that make up the former bedload were measured and defined. The results demonstrate a strong impact of lithology upon valley width, terrace distribution, and bedload provenance and therefore, upon landscape evolution processes. Channel down‐cutting through different lithologies creates variable patterns of resistance across catchments and continents. Particularly in post‐tectonic and non‐tectonic landscapes, the variation in resistance that arises from the exhumation of different rocks in channel longitudinal profiles can impact local base levels, initiating responses that can be propagated through channel networks. The rate at which that response is transmitted through channels is potentially amplified and/or mitigated by differences between the resistance of channel beds and bedload sediment loads. In the study reach, variation in lithologic resistance influences the prevalence of lateral and vertical processes, thus producing a spatial pattern of terraces that reflects rock type rather than climate, regional base level change, or hydrologic variability. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metrics to assess how longitudinal channel network connectivity and in‐stream Atlantic salmon habitats are impacted by hydropower regulation

Habitat fragmentation in channel networks and riverine ecosystems is increasing globally due to the construction of barriers and river regulation. The resulting divergence from the natural state poses a threat to ecosystem integrity. Consequently, a trade‐off is required between the conservation of biodiversity in channel networks and socio‐economic factors including power generation, potable water supplies, fisheries, and tourism. Many of Scotland's rivers are regulated for hydropower generation but also support populations of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) that have high economic and conservation value. This paper investigates the use of connectivity metrics and weightings to assess the impact of river barriers (impoundments) associated with hydropower regulation on natural longitudinal channel connectivity for Atlantic salmon. We applied 2 different weighting approaches in the connectivity models that accounted for spatial variability in habitat quality for spawning and fry production and contrasted these models with a more traditional approach using wetted area. Assessments of habitat loss using the habitat quality weighted models contrasted with those using the less biologically relevant wetted area. This highlights the importance of including relevant ecological and hydrogeomorphic information in assessing regulation impacts on natural channel connectivity. Specifically, we highlight scenarios where losing a smaller area of productive habitat can have a larger impact on Atlantic salmon than losing a greater area of less suitable habitat. It is recommended that future channel connectivity assessments should attempt to include biologically relevant weightings, rather than relying on simpler metrics like wetted area which can produce misleading assessments of barrier impacts.     

长江口深水航道治理工程综述

文章概要地介绍长江口深水航道治理工程的规划、勘察、设计和施工情况，对整治方案及主要岩土工程问题略作讨论。     

基于均匀混合假设的天然河道水质模拟方法

扩散质进入窄浅型河道后,通常采用有限差分法求解一维对流分散方程进行水质模拟,计算相对复杂。为简化计算,提出了根据河道断面特征等水力特性,将河道划分为若干单元,忽略不灵敏因子分散项对单元间扩散质交换的影响,并引入单元均匀混合假定,提出了基于均匀混合假设的天然河道水质模拟方法,建立相应的水质数学模型。算例表明,该模型运算稳定,与有限差分法模拟精度相当,但可大大简化并节省计算工作量。     

The Himalayan Collisional Orogeny: A Metamorphic Perspective

This paper introduces how crustal thickening controls the growth of the Himalaya by summarizing the P-T-t evolution of the Himalayan metamorphic core. The Himalayan orogeny was divided into three stages. Stage 60–40 Ma: The Himalayan crust thickened to ~40 km through Barrovian-type metamorphism (15–25 °C/km), and the Himalaya rose from <0 to ~1000 m. Stage 40–16 Ma: The crust gradually thickened to 60–70 km, resulting in abundant high-grade metamorphism and anatexis (peak-P, 15–25 °C/km; peak-T, >30 °C/km). The three sub-sheets in the Himalayan metamorphic core extruded southward sequentially through imbricate thrusts of the Eo-Himalayan thrust, High Himalayan thrust, and Main Central thrust, and the Himalaya rose to ≥5,000 m. Stage 16–0 Ma: the mountain roots underwent localized delamination, causing asthenospheric upwelling and overprinting of the lower crust by ultra-high-temperature metamorphism (30–50 °C/km), and the Himalaya reached the present elevation of ~6,000 m. Underplating and imbricate thrusting dominated the Himalaya’ growth and topographic rise, conforming to the critical taper wedge model. Localized delamination of mountain roots facilitated further topographic rise. Future Himalayan metamorphic studies should focus on extreme metamorphism and major collisional events, contact metamorphism and rare metal mineralization, metamorphic decarbonation and the carbon cycle in collisional belts.     

杏南开发区葡Ⅰ31小层废弃河道类型及其研究意义

油田开采进入高含水期后,储层构型的精细描述对改善油田开采效果具有重大意义。废弃河道作为单一河道的边界以及识别点坝砂体的重要依据,其顶部的泥质沉积或者砂泥岩互层沉积对储层内部流体具有遮挡作用,因此正确识别废弃河道是进一步分析储层构型及挖潜油田剩余油的重要科学依据。以杏南开发区葡Ⅰ31小层为例,通过分析废弃河道在平面及剖面的沉积特征,利用砂顶相对等深图法,综合废弃河道的砂体平面分布形态和测井曲线响应特征,在葡Ⅰ31小层内识别出26处规模不等的废弃河道,宽度一般在100 m左右,其中3处突弃型废弃河道与渐弃型相比,弯曲程度更大,砂体延伸更短,沉积厚度为2~8 m不等。由于砂泥互层或泥质沉积的侧向遮挡作用,废弃河道砂体与正常河道砂体组成的半连通体导致有注无采或有采无注的注采不平衡现象,使得河道砂体顶部成为剩余油聚集的有利场所,成为进一步挖潜的重点对象。     

下穿式道路排水工程事故原因及防治措施探讨

通过对我国一些城市下穿式道路排水事故的实地调研及资料搜集,分析了下穿式道路排水工程事故的原因,探讨了类似事故的防治措施,并对东莞S120工程燕窝下穿隧道进行了排水设计评价。