Fluvial Sediment Transport - TCEQ（河流沉积物运移- TCEQ）.pdf

Fluvial Sediment Transport The fluvial system commonly is conceptualized into three process-dominated zones: (1) the upper source zone, (2) the middle transfer zone, and (3) the lower accumulation zone (Schumm, 1977) (Figure 1). This macroscopic conceptual model generally is applicable for large, coastal-draining river systems, and all three of the general processes; erosion, transport, and deposition; occur to varying degrees in each zone. Sediment transport processes associated with flowing water begin when earth material is entrained and terminate when the material either is deposited or dissolved. Fluvial deposits, including instream bars and benches, floodplains, and deltas, are either temporary and remobilized or permanent and converted to sedimentary rock over geologic timescales. Figure 1. Conceptual diagram of the fluvial system, with an emphasis on sediment erosion, transport, and deposition (from Kondolf, 1994; scanned from Brierley and Fryirs, 2005). Fluvial sediment transportation is segregated into two distinct modes (Figure 2): (1) suspended load and (2) bedload. Suspended load refers to particles that are continuously entrained in the water column, and mostly consist of clay and silt, with varying amounts of sand during high-energy flows. Suspended load is important for natural floodplain deposition processes and maintenance of deltaic and estuarine wetland environments. Bedload refers to sand grains, gravels, or larger particles that move along or near the channel bed by various mechanisms, including (1) traction and (2) saltation. Traction describes the condition where 1 particles are in constant contact with the channel bed while moving, and includes sliding and rolling. Saltation describes the condition where particles skip along the channel bed, which is common in sand-bed channels. It is also noted that some referen