Bedload flux in southern Brazilian basalt scarp

G. H. Merten, J. P.G. Minella

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Frequently, to assess the life expectancy of Brazilian reservoirs, bedload flux has been estimated by using formulas (e.g. the Einstein equations) or by assuming that bedload represents a fixed percentage of the suspended load. This study was carried out to characterize the bedload flux on the basalt scarps of southern Brazil. The bedload was measured over the course of 12 stormflows. The results demonstrated that the bedload flux-streamflow relationship was adequately described by a potential mathematical function. Bedload flux selectively transported particles smaller than D50 surface and subsurface bedstream sediments. When considering the bedload flux-streamflow relationship, the flux ranged from a minimum of 0.24 g m-1 s-1 for a streamflow of 0.53 m3 s-1 to a maximum of 44 g m-1 s-1 for a streamflow of 1.3 m3 s-1. The percentage of bedload/suspended load varied between <1% up to 60%, and this variation was strongly associated with peak flow.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSediment Dynamics from the Summit to the Sea
EditorsSamuel J. Bentley, Y. Jun Xu, Adrian L. Collins, Mike Stone, Mead A. Allison, Arthur J. Horowitz, Wayne D. Erskine, Valentin Golosov
PublisherCopernicus GmbH
Pages185-191
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9781907161452
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
EventInternational Symposium on Sediment Dynamics: From the Summit to the Sea, ICCE 2014 - New Orleans, United States
Duration: Dec 11 2014Dec 14 2014

Publication series

NameIAHS-AISH Proceedings and Reports
Volume367
ISSN (Print)0144-7815

Other

OtherInternational Symposium on Sediment Dynamics: From the Summit to the Sea, ICCE 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans
Period12/11/1412/14/14

Keywords

  • Brazilian basalt scarps
  • Maddock classification
  • bedload
  • hydropower
  • reservoir life expectancy
  • step-pool streams

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