Papers Published in the International Journal of Sediment Research，Vol. 39, No.1, 2024

Pages 1-164 (February 2024)

2. Effects of sample preparation methods on measured characteristics of marine and fluvial sediment
Rachid Zentar , Fatima Ouendi, Hongwei Wang
Pages 15-27

3. Review of methods of sediment detection in reservoirs
Stephan Hilgert, Klajdi Sotiri, Stephan Fuchs
Pages 28-43

5. Quantitative definition of Shields criterion for incipient sediment motion
Nian-Sheng Cheng, Chengxiao Lu, Yesheng Lu, Maoxing Wei, Lichan Zheng
Pages 61-69

10. Long-term evolution of meandering channel planforms in response to the mean annual flow and width–depth ratio
Xiaolong Song, Haijue Xu, Yuchuan Bai
Pages 131-143

12. A new approach to simulate watershed sediment graphs
Azadeh Katebikord, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Vijay P. Singh
Pages 153-164
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.11.002

1. A holistic view of aquatic ecosystems: Integrating health and integrity, network, stability, and regime shift assessments
Lei Huang, Jia-Nan Meng, Fuliu Xu, Ya Zhou, Guojian He, Kai Wang, Hongwei Fang
Pages 1-14
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.12.006
Abstract: Aquatic ecosystems, especially freshwater ecosystems, are facing increasing anthropogenic disturbances, highlighting the urgency for accurate ecosystem assessment for informed decision-making and effective management. While ecosystem health and integrity assessments have been widely applied, they often focus on ecosystem elements, overlooking their interconnections and dynamic characteristics. Establishing an integrated ecosystem assessment framework is vital to apply a comprehensive perspective in evaluations. In the current paper, a systematic review of aquatic ecosystem assessment methods is done, encompassing health and integrity assessment, network analysis, and stability and regime shift assessment. These approaches consider not only the individual elements but also the complex interconnections and dynamic characteristics within the ecosystem, which have been rarely studied due to limitations in field data availability. A case study of Poyang Lake is further presented for practical demonstration on the specific operation of the combined assessments. The integration of aquatic ecosystem assessment with ecological modeling is strongly advocated because it not only helps overcome the limitations of field data for assessing historical or current conditions, but it also enables prediction of future developments.
Keywords: Ecosystem assessment; Ecosystem health and integrity; Network analysis; Ecosystem stability; Regime shift

2. Effects of sample preparation methods on measured characteristics of marine and fluvial sediment
Rachid Zentar , Fatima Ouendi, Hongwei Wang
Pages 15-27
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.09.002
Abstract: Dredged sediment is complex material composed of mineral phases, organics phases, and liquid phases. For the characterization of sediment in the laboratory, the material should be dried before applying some tests, such as the determination of organic matter content, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, specific surface area, specific gravity, and many other tests. To do such tests, in test standards, no specific drying method is recommended. This paper evaluates the effects of drying methods on the measured characteristics of dredged sediment. The drying methods investigated in the current study are oven-drying, freeze-drying, and air drying. From the results obtained, it seems that the drying method affects the results of the test done on the sediment. Among the drying methods, freeze-drying has less effect on sediment properties when the results are compared to a few properties measured on undried material. However, from the point of view of materials classification in road construction, no effects of drying methods are recorded.
Keywords: Marine sediment; Fluvial sediment; Valorization; Freeze-drying; Oven-drying; Air-drying

3. Review of methods of sediment detection in reservoirs
Stephan Hilgert, Klajdi Sotiri, Stephan Fuchs
Pages 28-43
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.12.004
Abstract: As reservoir sedimentation is rapidly progressing on a global scale, intensified and better adapted monitoring of sediment accumulation is needed to design optimal counter measures. In the current study, different methods on how to assess the siltation status of different reservoir types are represented by including the availability of previous data. Four different techniques are described by means of detailed case studies, including topographic differencing as the most widely used method. Examples of sub-bottom profiling, dynamic free-fall penetrometer measurements, and long sediment coring also are presented. The methods are explained through the application of each technique under varying conditions. The aim of the current study was to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each method and to discuss each methods applicability, depending on the reservoir type, sediment characteristics, and sediment thickness. Based on the case studies and literature an overview table of available techniques for sediment detection was created including a qualitative estimation of the strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, a decision path is presented to choose the most promising technique dependent on the individual situation of a reservoir. With this review, sediment-related decisions are supported for dam operators and authorities as well as dredging companies.
Keywords: Reservoir management; Sedimentation; Hydro acoustics; Detection; Sediment coring

4. The role of waves in the resuspension and transport of fine sediment and mine tailings from the Fund?o Dam failure, Doce River, Brazil
Susana Beatriz Vinzon, Marcos Nicolas Gallo, Mariela Gabioux, Diego Luiz Fonseca , Fernanda Minikowski Achete , Renato David Ghisolfi, Guilherme Nogueira Mill , Sabrina Aparecida Ramos da Fonseca , Valéria da Silva Quaresma , Kyssyanne Samihra Santos Oliveira , Guilherme Brigag?o , Léo Gon?alves Machado
Pages 44-60
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.09.004
Abstract: In one of the world's worst mining disasters, after flowing 670 km down the Doce River, about 20 million m3 of tailings reached the coast of Brazil in November 2015. The occurrence of persistent northerly winds favored the detachment of the river plume from the coastline and its displacement southward. However, observations of the sediment plume along the coast during the year following the breach, using aerial photographs, indicated that the plume is more extensive and persistent in a northerly direction. Previous studies have shown that although the most persistent winds are from the northern sector (70%), there is a greater incidence of waves from the southern sector (62%), especially with greater heights and periods. In this research, the effect of gravity waves on the transport of sediments is investigated, and, therefore, tailings from the Doce River and deposited on the adjacent inner continental shelf, mixed with the fluvial mud deposit also are investigated. Two mechanisms were investigated: 1) the effect of waves on sediment resuspension and their combination with tidal and wind forcings, using a two-dimensions in the horizontal directions (2DH) numerical model within the DELFT3D software, and 2) the capture of the fluvial plume by littoral drift, calculated by means of analytical models using data from wave propagation modeling. Both mechanisms were studied for 2019, also considering two major meteorological events in the region. Both effects were relevant for the northward dispersion of fine sediment, highlighting the effect of waves on the potential for northward transport of tailings towards the Abrolhos Bank.
Keywords: Sediment plume; Waves; Littoral drift; Doce River

5. Quantitative definition of Shields criterion for incipient sediment motion
Nian-Sheng Cheng, Chengxiao Lu, Yesheng Lu, Maoxing Wei, Lichan Zheng
Pages 61-69
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.12.001
Abstract: The Shields diagram has been widely used in the description of the threshold condition for incipient sediment motion. Because the current definition of the Shields criterion is generally subjective, the relevant data are subject to high uncertainty. To date, several efforts have been made to define the threshold condition quantitatively, but they are all based on certain low bedload rates that were empirically chosen. The current study aims to provide a theoretical framework to quantify the Shields criterion based on the concept of the pickup probability of sediment particles. The results show that the Shields criterion can be reasonably described with a low pickup probability (p = 1%), which can be further converted to a low dimensionless bedload rate (i.e., , where is the Einstein number and is the Shields number). The new approach is finally validated with experimental data of bedload rates published in the literature.
Keywords: Incipient sediment motion; Shields criterion; Pickup probability; Critical shields number

6. Environmental radioactivity, radiological hazards, and trace elements assessment of nearshore sediment in the Bay of Bengal
Manikanda Usha Natesan, Chandrasekaran Seethapathy, Srinivasalu
Seshachalam
Pages 70-82
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.12.002
Abstract: The current study focuses on the environmental radioactivity and multi-risk assessment of nearshore sediment as a source of marine pollution along the Bay of Bengal. The study examines the distribution of primordial radionuclide concentrations using a thallium-activated sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) detector-based gamma-ray spectrometer and Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) through atomic adsorption analysis. The data also were used to characterize ecological threats, radiological risks, and the geospatial distribution of toxic compounds in nearshore sediment as a proxy for marine pollution. The active concentration of primordial radionuclides such as uranium-238 (²³⁸U), thorium-232 (²³²Th), and potassium-40 (⁴⁰K) was found in the range from ≤ 3 to 68 (11.4), ≤ 9.5 to 142.7 (41.2), and 85.2 to 603.4 (362) Bq/kg, and the results show that the average radioactive concentration of the average radionuclides was less than suggested by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) ranges. Potentially toxic elements iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were higher in deeper water depths. The current study reveals that mud distribution primarily controls such elements. A decreasing order has been seen as follows by the ecological risk index of individual elements: copper (Cu) > lead (Pb) > nickel (Ni) > chromium (Cr) > zinc (Zn). The significant Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations indicated high pollution at most stations, possibly resulting from regional and terrestrial sources such as industrial activity, urban drainage, manufacturing, and farming. The migration of contaminated soil from the industrial and transportation sectors may be the source of the increased levels of hazardous elements and naturally occurring radionuclides in the sediment transported into the coastal ecosystems of Bay of Bengal.
Keywords: Nearshore sediment; Environmental radio activity; Toxic elements; Potential ecological risk; Geospatial tools; Pollution assessment

7. Spatiotemporal variability in the C-factor: An analysis using high resolution satellite imagery
Nabil Allataifeh, Ramesh Rudra , Prasad Daggupati , Jaskaran Dhiman , Pradeep Goel , Shiv Prasher
Pages 83-99
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.10.002
Abstract: Estimating the cover and management factor (C-factor) for Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) that varies spatially and temporally within a watershed is time-consuming and resource-intensive. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) approach can offer a potential alternative for this process. The current study examines nine NDVI models to compare and evaluate their performance in estimating the C-factor values for an agricultural watershed in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Satellite imagery from 2013 to 2020 was used to analyze the models’ similarities and differences on a detailed spatial and temporal scale. The results showed different C-factor values for each model, reflecting that they were developed for different geographical areas and purposes. While the Karaburun model differed from all other models on an annual basis, a detailed combined analysis of different spatial and temporal scales revealed that it was similar to other models. Seasonal analysis was found to be adequate for the current study, as it reduced the resources required and provided an overall view of the vegetation situation. However, a detailed monthly analysis may be necessary when investigating a specific season. The current analysis found that the summer months of June, July, and August have similar trends when comparing different models for different land uses and individual months, which aligns with the seasonal analysis. In conclusion, the current study highlights the importance of incorporating spatial and temporal scales in hydrological modeling and provides valuable insight into the applicability of different NDVI models for estimating the C-factor for southwestern Ontario watersheds. These findings can help inform future research and aid in developing accurate models for estimating soil erosion in this region. The results also emphasize that the NDVI approach has the potential for estimating the USLE C-factor and improving the estimation of soil erosion from agricultural watersheds by incorporating a variable C-factor over time and space. However, further research is needed to validate each model and determine which model best suits the study area.
Keywords: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); Cover and management factor; Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE); Temporal scale; Spatial scale

8. Effects of the angle between the rock strata and slope on flow hydraulics and sediment yield in karst trough valley: Laboratory scour experiment
Yuqi Zhang, Lan Song, Yunfei Bi, Binghui He, Rongchang Zeng, Tianyang Li
Pages 100-109
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.12.005
Abstract: The angle between the exposed bedrock and slope in a karst trough valley strongly affects overland flow behavior, thus, altering the generation of runoff and sediment. However, the directions and magnitudes of these effects remain unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of the angle between the rock and slope on flow hydraulics, runoff, and sediment yield, as well as their linkages. A laboratory flume scour experiment was done under different combinations of angles between rock strata and slope (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°), flow discharge rates (5, 7.5, and 10 L/min) and slope gradients (10°, 15°, and 20°) to simulate the field environment in a karst trough valley. The flow hydraulics (Reynolds number, flow velocity, flow depth, and Darcy–Weisbach friction factor), sediment yield, sediment concentration, and runoff rate were determined. The results showed that with increasing scour duration, the Reynolds number and flow velocity decreased but the flow depth and Darcy–Weisbach friction factor increased. The angle between the rock strata and slope significantly affected the flow velocity and Darcy–Weisbach friction factor, while slightly affecting the flow depth and Reynolds number. Over the scour duration, the runoff rate first increased and remained at a steady state but the sediment concentration and sediment yield rate first increased and then sharply decreased to a steady state. The sediment concentration and sediment yield rate both significantly decreased as the angle between the rock strata and slope increased. The runoff rate was closely linked to the flow velocity and Darcy–Weisbach friction factor as well as the sediment yield rate and sediment concentration. The current results indicate that the angle between the rock strata and the slope should be considered an important parameter when developing a soil erosion prediction model for karst trough valleys.
Keywords: Runoff; Soil erosion; Exposure bedrock; Prediction model; Karst

9. Multi-method characterization of the recent sediment from the Dibi subsidence lake in the tropical Adamawa region (central Cameroon): Implications for the palaeoenvironmental reconstruction
Agathe Catherine N. Ngo Ndje, Chavom Bachirou Mfayakouo, Soureiyatou Fadil-Djenabou, Paul-Desire Ndjigui
Pages 110-130
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.09.005
Abstract: The evolution and functioning of various tropical ecosystems is poorly understood due to a lack of quantitative techniques to characterize the physicochemical composition of soils and sediment. Here, a detailed multi-method study of lithological changes is provided from a core taken from the silted-up Dibi subsidence lake (central Cameroon). To unravel the provenance of sediment, mineral constituents, and organic matter sources, an array of tools are applied including a spectrophotometer, a laser particle sizer, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, and an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments. The studied core consists of light-colored deposits at the base (Unit 1) overlain by dark humic deposits (Unit 2). The sediment is very well graded (grading index Sd < 0.35Ф), indicative of bottom suspended to rolling transport. Unit 1 is characterized by relatively low values of total organic carbon (TOC: 2%–5%) whereas the dark Unit 2 has high contents of TOC (10%–33%). The core shows a high oxygen index (OI) value (average = 207 mg carbon dioxide (CO₂)/g TOC) and a low hydrogen index (HI) value (average = 107 mg hydrocarbon (HC)/g TOC). This indicates highly altered organic matter (OM), likely from decomposed terrestrial plants. The chlorophyll-α fingerprint (peak around 675 nm) also reveals an autochtonous primary production of organic matter. The mineralogical assemblage of Unit 2 comprises kaolinite, quartz, feldspars, montmorillonite, ilmenite, siderite, gibbsite, rutile, and anatase whereas that of Unit 1 is similar but differs with the presence of illite and the absence of gibbsite. The high titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zirconium (Zr) contents confirm that the source rocks also are comprised of granites, and gneiss without volcanic rocks, such as basalts and trachytes. The source rocks have been intensively weathered using some parameters such as ln(Al₂O₃/Na₂O), K₂O/Rb, K/Al, and weathering indices, where Al₂O₃ denotes aluminum oxide, Na₂O denotes sodium oxide, K₂O denotes potassium oxide, Rb denotes rubidium, K denotes potassium, and Al denotes aluminum. The enrichment factors (EF) of redox-sensitive trace elements and their relation with TOC, the negative values of manganese/iron ratio (Mn?) associated to three elemental ratios (cupper/zinc (Cu/Zn), thorium/uranium (Th/U), and vanadium/chromium (V/Cr)) attest to the predominance of sub-oxic to anoxic bottom waters in Dibi lake during sediment deposition. The data also show low primary productivity at the base of the core, followed by an increase towards the top, linked to the intensification of weathering and facilitated by humid climatic conditions, usually increase terrestrial input and palaeoproductivity. The petrological data show a generally warm and humid palaeoclimate. This climatic variation has contributed to the large spread of the savannah and disappearance of the forest. This study sheds light on the late Pleistocene to Holocene palaeo-environment evolution of the Adamawa region which could be integrated into the context of the Pleistocene to Present regional evolution of the tropical palaeo-environment.
Keywords: Recent lacustrine sediment; Organic matter; Mineralogy; Geochemistry; Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction; Adamawa region

10. Long-term evolution of meandering channel planforms in response to the mean annual flow and width–depth ratio
Xiaolong Song, Haijue Xu, Yuchuan Bai
Pages 131-143
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.11.003
Abstract: A depth-averaged linearized meander evolution model was used to numerically evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution of the meandering channel centerline in the plane at various mean annual flows and width–depth ratios for capturing the overall average trend of the meandering channel planform. This analysis was done to better understand the consistent responses of the river morphology to possible future tectonic and climatic changes. The computational cases included an idealized sine-generated meandering channel with a moderate maximum deflection angle and a typical natural meander for the Jiyun River in China. The study results showed phased development and response characteristics of the meandering channel centerline (to the mean annual flow), along with increases in the specified mean annual width (B)–depth (H) ratio (represented by B/H). First, the spatial meander straightening trend over time weakened during Phase 1 (B/H ≤ 16.5) and gradually changed to a meander developing trend during Phase 2 (16.5 < B/H ≤ 27) with an overall insensitivity to the flow magnitude. Second, starting from the downstream tail during Phase 3 (27 < B/H ≤ 28.9), the symmetric development form along the transverse direction (perpendicular to the mean flow direction) was disrupted, while flow effects were highlighted when the mean annual B/H exceeded 28. Finally, an obvious onset and jump process of the channel sensitivity in response to flow occurred during Phase 4 (28.9 < B/H ≤ 29.5). These event characteristics are very similar to the transition from laminar to turbulent flow in fluid mechanics. This study provides insights for more in-depth exploration of meandering mechanisms and technical support for effective river management.
Keywords: Long-term average trend; Meandering channel planform; Mean annual flow; Width-depth ratio; River management

11. An improved method for sand wave morphology discrimination in rivers by combining a flow resistance law and support vector machines
Yuchuan Bai, Yanjie Sun, Xiaolong Song, Haijue Xu
Pages 144-152
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.10.003
Abstract: A parameterized expression for sand wave morphology in rivers is established using a flow resistance law while accounting for sediment incipient velocity. A distinct relation is drawn between the proposed characteristic parameters and the sand wave morphology based on flume data. Support vector machines (SVMs) are then used to separate the boundaries of the sand wave morphology due to the high classification accuracy of SVMs. The boundary line data from each sand wave morphology is extracted and fitted to establish a discriminant standard, which is then successfully validated using experimental and quantifiable data. Also, based on the foregoing methodoly, it is further discovered that the short-term significant fluctuation of sand wave morphology is closely correlated with significant channel changes in rivers with a high width-depth ratio, using Yellow River Estuary as an example.
Keywords: Sand wave morphology discrimination; Flow resistance law; Sediment incipient velocity; Support vector machines; Yellow River Estuary

12. A new approach to simulate watershed sediment graphs
Azadeh Katebikord, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi, Vijay P. Singh
Pages 153-164
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2023.11.002
Abstract: Soil loss management requires reliable data for assessing the conditions prevailing in a watershed. Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is one of the indicators of soil loss, and its data and associated properties are essential for integrated watershed management. However, until now, practical methods for estimating the temporal variation of SSC at the watershed scale, i.e., a sediment graph (SG), using measured data have been given less attention. Therefore, the current study was planned to simulate the SG through conceptual modeling of the soil erosion process and sediment yield. The Galazchai Watershed in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, was selected as a case study. In this regard, the isochrone histograms were initially prepared using two methods of the longitudinal channel profile and spatially distributed travel time. Soil erosion was calculated in each isochrone segment using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), applying the lumped and cellular automata approach. The soil erosion between isochrones was subsequently routed using the Hadley, WaTEM/SEDEM, and newly modified U.S. Forest Service methods. The last method was developed based on seven standardized variables for the current research. Synthetic SGs were ultimately derived from 12 different combinations of the study methods. The modeling performance was assessed using 38 storm events collected over several years. The base time, time to peak, peak value, and total sediment load of the simulated and observed SGs were evaluated using relative error. Comparison based on the evaluation indicators indicated better performance of the combination of the spatially distributed travel time method, cellular automata, and modified U.S. Forest Service method with the coefficient of efficiency and the normalized coefficient of efficiency varying from -1.16 to 0.99 and from 0.32 to 0.99 for the calibration and validation stages, respectively. However, none of the models were simulating satisfactorily the entire sediment graphs.
Keywords: Sand wave morphology discrimination; Flow resistance law; Sediment incipient velocity; Support vector machines; Yellow River Estuary