Signal crayfish burrowing,bank retreat and sediment supply to rivers: A biophysical sediment budget

Burrowing into riverbanks by animals transfers sediment directly into river channels and has been hypothesised to accelerate bank erosion and promote mass failure. A field monitoring study on two UK rivers invaded by signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) assessed the impact of burrowing on bank erosion processes. Erosion pins were installed in 17 riverbanks across a gradient of crayfish burrow densities and monitored for 22 months. Bank retreat increased significantly with crayfish burrow density. At the bank scale (<6 m river length), high crayfish burrow densities were associated with accelerated bank retreat of up to 253% and more than a doubling of the area of bank collapse compared with banks without burrows. Direct sediment supply by burrowing activity contributed 0.2% and 0.6% of total sediment at the reach (1.1 km) and local bank (<6 m) scales. However, accelerated bank retreat caused by burrows contributed 12.2% and 29.8% of the total sediment supply at the reach and bank scales. Together, burrowing and the associated acceleration of retreat and collapse supplied an additional 25.4 t km⁻¹ a⁻¹ of floodplain sediments at one site, demonstrating the substantial impact that signal crayfish can have on fine sediment supply. For the first time, an empirical relation linking animal burrow characteristics to riverbank retreat is presented. The study adds to a small number of sediment budget studies that compare sediment fluxes driven by biotic and abiotic energy but is unique in isolating and measuring the substantial interactive effect of the acceleration of abiotic bank erosion facilitated by biotic activity. Biotic energy expended through burrowing represents an energy surcharge to the river system that can augment sediment erosion by geophysical mechanisms.     

Effects of sediment grain size and channel slope on the stability of river bifurcations

Channel bifurcations can be found in river network systems from high gradient gravel-bed rivers to fine-grained low gradient deltas. In these systems, bifurcations often evolve asymmetrically such that one downstream channel silts up and the other deepens and, in most cases, they eventually avulse. Past analytical and numerical studies showed that symmetric bifurcations are unstable in high and low Shields stress conditions resulting in asymmetric bifurcations and avulsion, while they can be stable in the mid-Shields range, but this range is smaller for larger width-to-depth ratio. Here, using a one-dimensional (1D) numerical model, we show that effects of sediment grain size and of channel slope are much larger than expected for low-gradient systems when a sediment transport relation is used that separates between bedload and suspended load transport. We found that the range of Shields stress conditions with unstable symmetric bifurcations expanded for lower channel slopes and for finer sediment. In high sediment mobility, suspended load increasingly dominates the sediment transport, which increases the sediment transport nonlinearity and lowers the relative influence of the stabilizing transverse bedslope-driven flux. Contrary to previous works, we found another stable symmetric solution in high Shields stress, but this only occurs in the systems with small width-to-depth ratio. This indicates that suspended load-dominated bifurcations of lowland rivers are more likely to develop into highly asymmetric channels than previously thought. This explains the tendency of channel avulsion observed in many systems.     

Spatial and seasonal variability of sediment accumulation potential through controlled flooding of the beels located in the polders of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta of Southwest Bangladesh

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) delta plain within Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable to relative sea level rise (RSLR) in the world especially under current anthropogenically modified (i.e., embanked) conditions. Tidal river management (TRM) as practiced in coastal regions of Bangladesh may provide an opportunity to combat RSLR by raising the land level through controlled sedimentation inside beels (depression within embanked polders) with re-opening of polders. To date, TRM has been applied to tide-dominated coastal regions, but the potential applicability of TRM for the beels within the polders of river-dominated and mixed flow (MF) regimes remains to be assessed. We apply a calibrated 2D numerical hydromorphodynamic model to quantify sediment deposition in a beel flooded through breaching of the polder dike under conditions of river-dominated, tide-dominated and MF regimes for different seasons and applying different regulation schemes for the flow into the beel. Simulation results show considerable seasonality in sediment deposition with largest deposition during the monsoon season. The potential of controlled flooding is highest in the tide-dominated region, where sediment accumulation can be up to 28 times higher than in the river-dominated region. Regulating flow into a beel increases trapping efficiency, but results in slightly lower total deposition than without regulation. We conclude that re-establishing flooding of the beel within the polder without regulating the flow into the beel through breaching of the polder dike is a promising strategy for the mixed and tide-dominated flow regions in the delta as the sediment accumulation can raise the land surface at a higher rate than RSLR and effective SLR (ESLR). In the more upstream river-dominated section of the delta, accumulation rates would be much lower, but the pressure of sea level rise on these areas is lower as well. Owing to the abundant availability of sediment, application of controlled flooding like TRM therefore provides an opportunity to counteract the impact of RSLR and ESLR by means of land raising, particularly along the tidal river reaches in the GBM delta.     

Vertical concentration profile of nonuniform sediment

A new formula for the concentration profile of nonuniform sediment is derived using the diffusion differential equation with equilibrium bed concentration.The interaction coefficient for nonuniform sediment particles as a function of both relative diameter and geometric standard deviation of nonuniform sediment is taken into account in the settling velocity.The diffusion coefficient is obtained from the logarithmic velocity profile.This new formula possesses several advantages as follows:(1)avoids theoretical defect of the Rouse formula,which states that the sediment concentration is infinite at the bottom and zero at the water surface.(2)suitable for an arbitrary fraction of nonuniform sediment,and(3)easy to apply with a simple form.The formula yields less difference among concentration profiles for various particles than that for uniform sediment and reveals the lawfor fractional concentration distribution of nonuniform sediment.The calculated concentration agrees well with the measured data from the Yangtze River.     

Experimental assessment and prediction of temporal scour depth around a spur dike

Spur dikes are river training structures that have been extensively used worldwide for towards enhancing flood control and the stability of embankments and riverbanks.However,scour around spur dikes can be a major problem affecting their stability and hydraulic performance.The precise computation of temporal scour depth at spur dikes is very important for the design of economical and safe spur dikes.This study focuses on experimentally assessing the temporal variation of scour depth around a vertical wall spur dike and identifying the parameters,which mostly influence spur dike performance for a channel bed surface comprised of sand-gravel mixtures.In the current study,the authors did physical experiments in a flume based study to obtain new data,aimed at deriving a new predictive model for spur dike scour and comparing its performance to others found in the literature.It was found that the dimensionless temporal scour depth variation increases with an increase in(i)the threshold velocity ratio,(ii)the densimetric Froude number of the bed surface sediment mixture,(iii)the flow shallowness(defined as the ratio of the approach flow depth,y,to the spur dike’s transverse length,l),and(iv)the flow depth-particle size ratio.It is also concluded that the temporal scour depth variation in the sediment mixture is influenced by the non-uniformity of sediment and decreases with an increase in the non-uniformity of the sediment mixture.A new mathematical model is derived for the estimation of temporal scour depths in sand-gravel sediment mixtures.The proposed equation has been calibrated and validated with the experimental data,demonstrating a good predictive capacity for the estimation of temporal scour depth evolution.     

海底声学底质分类技术的研究现状与前景

对海底声学底质分类技术的研究现状进行了分析。介绍了目前典型的底质分类设备、软件以及可采取的分类方法,探讨了我国开展海底声学底质分类技术研究、开发的可行性与具体实现的思路。     

Fluctuational mechanism for the formation of proton vortices in the superfluid core of neutron stars

The Gibbs thermodynamic potential of a proton vortex interacting with the normal core of a neutron vortex of radius r << λ (λ is the penetration depth) that is parallel to it and has an outer boundary of radius b is calculated. It is shown that, under this assumption, the capture of only one vortex by the core is energetically favorable. The force acting on the proton vortex owing to the entrained current is found and it is always directed toward the core. The corresponding force for a proton antivortex is directed toward the outer boundary of the neutron vortex. The Ginzburg-Landau equation is solved for a vortex-antivortex system and its Gibbs function is calculated. It is shown that at large distances from the core, vortex-antivortex pairs can form because of fluctuations. Acted on by the entrainment current, the antivortex moves outward, while the vortex stays inside the neutron vortex. It is shown that the best conditions for fluctuational pair production, followed by separation, exist near the outer boundary. It is shown that new proton vortices can develop only in a region where the entrainment magnetic field strength H (ρ) > H_C1 (H_C1 is the lower critical field). __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 139–149 (February 2008).     

Spatially distributed modelling of soil erosion and sediment yield at regional scales in Spain

Initiated by the need to quantify erosion rates and the impacts of global changes on erosion, several attempts have been made to apply erosion models at regional scales. However, these models have often been directed towards on-site soil erosion estimates, emphasising sheet and rill erosion processes, and disregarding gully erosion, channel erosion and sediment transport. These models are therefore of limited use for the assessment of sediment yield, off-site impacts of erosion, and for the development of environmental management to control these impacts at regional scale. This study analyses and compares three spatially distributed models for the prediction of soil erosion and/or sediment yield at regional scales: the WATEM-SEDEM model that is based on the empirical Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in combination with a sediment transport equation, the physics-based Pan European Soil Erosion Risk Assessment model (PESERA), and a newly developed Spatially Distributed Scoring model (SPADS). The three models were applied to 61 Spanish drainage basins and model predictions were evaluated against data on measured reservoir sedimentation rates. Global data sets on land use, climate, elevation and soil characteristics were used as model input for WATEM-SEDEM and SPADS, whereas published soil erosion estimates of PESERA at 1 km² resolution were used directly. SPADS and WATEM-SEDEM provided best results after separate calibration for basins with a Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR) higher than 5% and those with an SDR lower than 5%. In this way, SPADS explained 67% of variation in sediment yield, while WATEM-SEDEM explained 48% of the variation. PESERA represents a promising alternative to the use of empirical models at the regional scale as it can be applied to very diverse environments with little calibration. However, PESERA provides soil erosion rates and not sediment yield estimates. For most basins PESERA soil erosion rates vary between fifty and close to zero percent of total sediment yield. Two major factors may explain this discrepancy between modelled soil erosion rates and measured sediment yield. First, it may be that PESERA underestimates soil erosion under Mediterranean conditions, although PESERA soil erosion rates are of the same order of magnitude as erosion rates measured in erosion plot studies. Second, gully-, river channel erosion and sediment transport processes may be much more important than sheet- and rill erosion for regional scale sediment yield in these environments. These issues therefore require further attention in future model development. Although spatially lumped models provide better predictions of sediment yield at the basin scale, and while validation of the predicted spatial patterns of sources and sinks of sediment requires further research, spatially distributed models are expected to be of value to support management decisions regarding the assessment of on-site and off-site impacts of erosion at the regional scale.     

台湾东部海域沉积物波特征及其成因探讨

利用地震剖面对沉积物波的分布、形态和内部结构进行了分析,结合区域地质背景对沉积物来源和成因进行了探讨。识别出的沉积物波域主要位于台东峡谷与陆坡其他峡谷的交汇区,单个波形的波长为0.8～7.2 km,波高为18～75 m左右,呈NE—SW向展布。台东峡谷弯曲段内侧向上坡迁移的沉积物波,其底界发育块体流沉积,内部可细分为下部过渡单元和上部波形单元。弯曲段外侧的沉积物波呈垂向加积的特征,底部无块体流沉积。基于沉积物波的几何形态,估算整个波域的流体厚度在196～356 m之间,流体速度在15～21 cm/s之间。沉积物波的形态特征、内部结构、分布规律以及数值计算表明这些沉积物波为浊流成因。台湾东部海域沉积物波域的发育与台湾西南部的沉积物波域一样,是台湾造山运动的沉积响应。距今3.5 Ma以来花东海脊的形成以及广燠火山岛—绿岛—兰屿火山岛间闸口的抬升和封闭使得沉积物经由卑南溪及海下水道向南输送到绿岛西侧的台东海槽残留弧前盆地时受阻,转而沿台东峡谷及陆坡冲沟体系向东输送入花东海盆。浊流沉积物沿着峡谷/沟谷体系向下坡方向输送的过程中,在峡谷/冲沟的嘴部等地形限制性降低的位置卸载,或在台东峡谷的高弯曲段漫溢出来,从而形成沉积物波域。     

海洋沉积物中氧化还原敏感元素对水体环境缺氧状况的指示作用

近年来由于人为污染水体富营养化加剧,缺氧区面积不断增大,利用沉积物中氧化还原敏感元素反演水体缺氧情况已经发展成为海洋化学领域的热点研究方向。本文详细阐述了氧化还原敏感元素的富集机制,并总结了利用沉积物中氧化还原敏感元素在不同氧化还原条件下的富集程度反映海水缺氧程度和底质氧化还原状况的一系列指标,如Re/Mo、Cd/U、Th/U、V/Sc、V/(V+Ni)值,U—Mo共变模型,δ~(98/95)Mo,多指标微/痕量元素模型以及氧化还原敏感元素-有机质共变模型等。沉积物中Re、Mo含量、Re/Mo值、自生Mo/U值、Th/U值对上层水体缺氧和氧化条件区分良好,可定量指征上层水体的缺氧情况。沉积物中Re含量近似于1 ng/g(地壳值),Mo含量1μg/g(地壳值),Re/Mo值接近0.3×10~(-3),Mo—U富集系数比为(0.1～0.3)×现代海水,Th/U值2,可指示氧化环境;Re含量在10～30 ng/g,Mo含量近似于1μg/g,Re/Mo值10×10~(-3)～30×10~(-3),Mo—U富集系数比1×现代海水,Th/U值在0～2范围内,可指示缺氧环境;Re含量30 ng/g,Mo富集达到20～40μg/g,Re/Mo值接近0.7×10~(-3)(海水中Re/Mo值),Mo—U富集系数比为(3～10)×现代海水,可指示极度缺氧的硫化环境。Mo_(EF)—U_(EF)交会对数坐标图、氧化还原敏感元素-有机质共变模型指标可定性分析上层水体的缺氧情况;V/(V+Ni)值对于次氧化沉积物指示效果不佳;Cd/U值在次缺氧条件下的变化机制复杂,还需进一步研究。生物扰动、成岩作用、人为污染、水体局限、高有机碳通量、Fe、Mn氧化物循环等因素通过影响氧化还原敏感元素在沉积物中的富集与迁移,从而影响氧化还原敏感元素指标的应用,应剔除有机质吸附与陆源输入等非自生部分的影响,结合各种指标互相印证,综合判别水体氧化还原状态。