Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.ejrh.2023.101340
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Downstream changes in riverbank sediment sources and the effect of catchment size
Author Abbas, G.; Jomaa, S.; Bronstert, A.; Rode, M.
Source Titel Journal of Hydrology
Year 2023
Department ASAM; HDG
Volume 46
Page From art. 101340
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2214581823000277-mmc1.docx
Keywords Sediment load; Catchment size; Sediment fingerprinting; Riverbank erosion; Subsurface erosion; Surface erosion
Abstract Study region: In this study, we compiled and analyzed the results of previous sediment fingerprinting research that examined the riverbank as one of the sediment sources, representing 118 catchments across the globe, most of which were located in the UK (n = 84), the USA (n = 14), and Brazil (n = 10). Gathered studies included catchments ranging from 0.31 to 15,000 km2 and which were predominately agricultural. Study focus: It is essential to understand how riverbanks contribute to total sediment load at the catchment scale if we wish to develop better strategies for managing soil loss. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess different fingerprinting tracers quantitatively and analyze the influence of catchment size on riverbank erosion. New hydrological insights: We found that radionuclide tracers show the most consistent relative sources contributions. The share of riverbanks to total sediment loss was in the range of 1–25%. At the same time, the relative contributions of riverbanks and surface sources for many catchments exceeded 25% and 90%, respectively. This variability emphasizes the number of factors affecting riverbank erosion. However, despite this, there was a clear shift in contributions from surface sources to riverbanks with increasing catchment size. We suggest that, in nested catchments, there is a need for long-term longitudinal monitoring of sediment loads, including downstream changes of riverbank erosion.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=24896
Abbas, G., Jomaa, S., Bronstert, A., Rode, M. (2023):
Downstream changes in riverbank sediment sources and the effect of catchment size
J. Hydrol. 46 , art. 101340 10.1016/j.ejrh.2023.101340