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The role of gravel channel beds on the particle size and organic matter selectivity of transported fine-grained sediment: implications for sediment fingerprinting and biogeochemical flux research

  • Advances in Sediment Fingerprinting
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Abstract

Purpose

The preferential erosion, delivery, and transport of sediment within a drainage basin can result in downstream changes in both particle size and organic matter content. The physical and biological properties of transported and deposited sediment are important considerations in many sediment management and investigative tools, including sediment fingerprinting, and aid in the interpretation of sediment-associated nutrient and contaminant data.

Materials and methods

A recirculating flume (2 × 2 × 40 m) was used to assess the changes in particle size, organic matter content, and geochemical composition of fine-grained sediment (<125 μm) over a 31-h period (representing a travel distance of ∼24 km) under three contrasting channel bed conditions. The three channel gravel bed conditions investigated were 0-, 5-, and 40-cm gravel bed depths. Suspended sediment samples were collected throughout the duration of the experiment and gravel-stored sediment were collected along the length of the flume at the end of the experiment. Both suspended and gravel-stored sediment were analyzed for particle size and organic matter content. In addition, suspended sediment samples were analyzed for a broad suite of geochemical elements.

Results and discussion

The channel bed characteristics had a significant effect on both the particle size and organic matter selectivity of the transported suspended sediment. Furthermore, it was shown that a smooth planar channel bed as compared to a planar gravel bed (i.e., 0- vs. 5-cm gravel treatments) introduced small-scale roughness which resulted in the preferential deposition of larger particles into the channel bed. Increasing the gravel bed from 5 to 40 cm increased the amount of intra-gravel flow and reduced the potential for resuspension resulting in a further reduction in the particle size as well as resulting in a significant increase in the organic matter content of the suspended sediment. The relation between geochemical concentrations and particle size of the suspended sediment, in terms of linearity, magnitude, and direction, were not consistent between the different elements investigated.

Conclusions

This research helps to understand the processes that control the particle size and organic matter selectivity of fluvial transported sediment. This information is an important part of many sediment management tools, including sediment fingerprinting, as it provides context when selecting sampling sites and interpreting the data they provide. The inconsistent relation between particle size and the concentration of different geochemical elements highlights the uncertainty associated with commonly used particle size correction factors.

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Acknowledgments

The first author is supported by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada through the Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship Program. This work is funded by a NSERC Strategic Grant—Development of environmental fingerprinting techniques for sources of sediment and associated phosphorus within agricultural watersheds of Canada—to DAL, PNO, and ELP. The authors would also like to acknowledge the Quesnel River Research Centre (QRRC) and the Landscape Ecology Research Group staff and students for the use of the facilities and equipment as well as technical support. This paper comprises part of the QRRC Publication Series.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada

    Alexander J. Koiter

  2. Environmental Science Program and Quesnel River Research Centre, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada

    Philip N. Owens

  3. Geography Program and Quesnel River Research Centre, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada

    Ellen L. Petticrew

  4. Department of Soil Science and Watershed Systems Research Program, University of Manitoba, 13 Freedman Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

    David A. Lobb

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  1. Alexander J. Koiter
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Correspondence to Alexander J. Koiter.

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Koiter, A.J., Owens, P.N., Petticrew, E.L. et al. The role of gravel channel beds on the particle size and organic matter selectivity of transported fine-grained sediment: implications for sediment fingerprinting and biogeochemical flux research. J Soils Sediments 15, 2174–2188 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1203-6

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