Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Fluvial geomorphology'

Fluvial sandstones constitute one of the major clastic petroleum reservoir types in many sedimentary basins around the world. This is especially true in the Tertiary basins of Southeast Asia, which display a wide range of fluvial channel reservoir types. This study is based on the analysis of high-resolution, shallow (seabed to ca. 500 m depth) 3D seismic data which provide exceptional imaging of the geometry, dimension and temporal and spatial distribution of fluvial channels. The Malay Basin comprises a thick (>8 km), rift to post-rift Oligo-Miocene to Pliocene basin-fill. The youngest (Miocene to Pliocene), post-rift succession is dominated by a thick (1-5 km), cyclic succession of coastal plain and coastal deposits, which accumulated in a humidtropical climatic setting. This study focuses on the Pleistocene to Recent (ca. 500 m thick) succession, which comprises a range of seismic facies, mainly reflecting changes in fluvial channel style and gross stratigraphic architecture. The succession has been divided into four seismic units (Unit 1-4), bounded by basin-wide stratal surfaces. Units 3 and 4 have been further divided into two sub-units. Two types of boundaries have been identified: 1) a boundary that is defined by a regionally-extensive erosion surface at the base of a prominent incised valley (e.g. Horizons C.1 and D.1); 2) a sequence boundary that is defined by more weakly-incised, straight and low-sinuosity channels which is interpreted as lowstand alluvial bypass channel systems (e.g. Horizons A, B, C, and D). Each unit displays a predictable vertical change of the channel pattern and scale, with wide low-sinuosity channels at the base passing gradationally upwards into narrow high-sinuosity channels at the top. The wide variation in channel style and size is interpreted to be controlled mainly by the sea-level fluctuations on the widely flat and tectonically-quiescent Sundaland Platform.

Geomorphology is an expression of processes acting upon an area. The links between driving processes and the resulting geomorphology are far from being fully understood. This thesis investigates controls on the dynamics and behaviour of fluvial systems from the interior of orogenic plateaux to the tectonically active plateaux margins. Orogenic plateaux provide a good study area by juxtaposing different tectonic and climatic settings that are served by the same sediment transport systems, allowing for observation of different variables on the same or similar fluvial systems. This is the first time that rivers draining orogenic plateaux have been extensively investigated. The Turkish-Iranian and Tibetan plateaux are the study areas. Forms of rivers draining from plateaux interiors, through the plateaux margins are analysed, along with alluvial fans within both the plateaux interior and plateaux margins. Plateau draining rivers act as the major route for material leaving the plateau region and a first-order control on erosive processes retarding plateau growth. Alluvial fans redistribute material within the plateau interior, enhancing the low relief topography diagnostic of a plateau. It is found that rivers draining plateaux show a sigmoidal form associated with the edge of the plateaux. High gradients and curvatures occur within the mountain ranges at the plateaux margins, while low values are present within the plateau interiors. Modelling work demonstrates that such forms to be likely responses for all plateau-draining rivers, but are most sensitive to the effects of precipitation upon a river’s ability to incise in-to the underlying sedimentary cover and bedrock lithologies. Alluvial fans in orogenic plateau regions are larger and with a lower surface gradient within the plateau interior than those nearer the active tectonic margins. It is theorised that this is due to the lack of lateral control on the accommodation space of alluvial fans within the plateau interior.

The geomorphology and sedimentology of terminal fluvial systems. Fluvial systems operating within drylands commonly experience downstream discharge reduction due to infiltration, evaporation and limited tributary inputs. Sediment bodies developed within the distal zones of rivers that do not drain into the sea or a lake (terminal fluvial systems) are currently represented by the terminal fan facies model. This model summarises the development of a distally thinning and fining sedimentary wedge from a coeval network of low sinuosity distributary channels as induced by the sub aerial termination ofchannelised flow under a dryland climate regime.. Extensive review of sediment fan bodies located within modern drylands highlights pronounced disequilibrium between planform character and present ephemeral flow conditions. Out of eighty documented fluvial systems no convincing examples fit the terminal fan model, including two commonly cited analogues used to support this model. In order to fully evaluate the terminal fan concept and redress the current imbalance in modern analogue studies, field work was undertaken to characterise sub aerial fluvial system termination within a single physiographic province - the Basin and Range rift complex of the southwestern U.S.A. Documentation of the potential range in fluvial style and character within this modern dryland environment is provided by the detailed study of seven terminal fluvial systems. Basin and Range terminal fluvial systems demonstrate strong geomorphic form inheritance. Fan landforms observed within medial and distal reaches of these systems predominantly represent relic Late Pleistocene highstand delta bodies into which the modern system is inset. Active terminal reaches operate within basin centre playa environments where shallo~ gradients induce frequent avulsion and the generation of composite lowstand fan bodies located downstream of lateral system confinement. These terminal features record non-coeval channel activity and the dominance of sinuous channel forms. Morphometric trends distinguish a general downstream reduction in channel scale characterised by the development of progressively narrower and shallower channel forms. Channelised flow is maintained within proximal and medial reaches but does not dominate distal reaches where sheetflow discharge is readily attained. Concomitant reductions in channel capacity and competence control the volume and calibre of fluvial material supplied to basinal environments. Progressive downstream thinning is associated with selective deposition and general basinwards sediment fining and sorting. Terminal reaches transport negligible bedload material and display a comparable depositional record to that generated by background playa sedimentation. Identified similarities with the terminal fan model include downstream loss of channel definition, sediment thinning, fining and improved sorting. Conversely, coeval distributive flow is not observed, constituent channels record moderate to high sinuosity and negligible fluvial material reaches basin centre locations. Basin and Range systems are principally responding to streampower reduction controlled primarily by gradient and enhanced by discharge attenuation. Sub aerial termination dominates due to the absence of basin centre lacustrine bodies; a condition forced by limited discharge supply from catchment reaches, compounded by transmission losses and maintained by excessive evaporation from extensive, low elevation flat playa surfaces. In conclusion, fluvial fan landforms generated exclusively from discharge attenuation do not characterise modern dryland environments. Selection of modern analogue systems for use in the interpretation and prediction of ancient fluvial successions must acknowledge the influence of high frequency and high magnitude climate fluctuations upon modern fluvial geomorphology. Key to this is an appreciation of modern processform disequilibrium and the identification of inherited planform characteristics.

Since 2011, Structure-from-Motion Multi-View Stereo Photogrammetry (SfM or SfM-MVS) has gone from an overlooked computer vision technique to an emerging methodology for collecting low-cost, high spatial resolution three-dimensional data for topographic or surface modeling in many academic fields. This dissertation examines the applications of SfM to the field of fluvial geomorphology. My research objectives for this dissertation were to determine the error and uncertainty that are inherent in SfM datasets, the use of SfM to map and monitor geomorphic change in a small river restoration project, and the use of SfM to map and extract data to examine multi-scale geomorphic patterns for 32 kilometers of the Middle Fork John Day River. SfM provides extremely consistent results, although there are systematic errors that result from certain survey patterns that need to be accounted for in future applications. Monitoring change on small restoration stream channels with SfM gave a more complete spatial perspective than traditional cross sections on small-scale geomorphic change. Helicopter-based SfM was an excellent platform for low-cost, large scale fluvial remote sensing, and the data extracted from the imagery provided multi-scalar perspectives of downstream patterns of channel morphology. This dissertation makes many recommendations for better and more efficient SfM surveys at all of the spatial scales surveyed. By implementing the improvements laid out here and by other authors, SfM will be a powerful tool that will make 3D data collection more accessible to the wider geomorphic community.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 130, [12] p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

The Zagros-fold-and thrust belt has been selected to explore landscape responses to tectonic and climatic drivers using river profile steepness (ksn), relief from topography, and basin scale Hypsometric Index (HI) extracted from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 30 m dataset. There are differences in the ksn and the HI value from one area to another across the Zagros range. The northeastward presence of high HI values with respect to the seismicity cut-off in the combined Dezful/Bakhtyari region is attributed to wetter conditions, in turn driven by high strain and high topographic gradients in the Bakhtyari region. Drier climate and low power rivers in the Fars region promote plateau growth, and high HI values occur south of the thrust seismicity cut-off. In spite of the regional differences in ksn and HI, there is a similarity in the integrated relief along swath profiles, consistent with the similar rate of strain and total strain across different parts of the Zagros. Digital Elevation Model (DEM)-based geomorphic indices; Hypsometric Index (HI), Surface Roughness (SR) and their combination Surface Index (SI) have been applied to quantify landscape maturity in the Kirkuk Embayment of the Zagros. Landscape maturity suggests out of sequence deformation towards the hinterland in opposite sense to classical ‘piggyback’ thrusting model. The SI shows new previously undiscovered anticlines of hydrocarbon potential. New balanced cross-section indicates shortening in the order of ~5% in the Zagros foreland. Basin-scale values of HI exhibit sharp boundary of the low/high HI transition in the south of the Himalaya consistent with the zone of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT), and indicate the controls of the MHT on Himalayan topography. Smaller magnitude increases in HI value across the physiographic transition (PT2) do not support the out-of-sequence model of active deformation of Himalayan tectonics. Point-counting technique was conducted for modern river sand from the Zagros suture and the Neogene sandstones of the Zagros foreland. Results show recycled orogen provenance and litharenite composition and spatial increase in quartz content towards the northwest, which might refer to provenance change and/or drainage reorganization. The more lithic composition of river sand and the Neogene sandstone refers to an uplift of the Zagros suture area, which is partly caused by the out-of sequence deformation of the Mountain Front Fault.

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente, Perfil de Engenharia de Sistemas Ambientais
The purpose of this thesis is to provide river basin managers with a framework for river restoration. To that end, it presents and discusses the relevant information on the current condition of the river Tua, in northern Portugal, and establishes what can be done to restore the river basin in order to protect the most important drainage basin's functions and ecosystems. It is intended that this thesis will serve as an example of the application of current knowledge on freshwater restoration which can be emulated by future managers in their efforts to restore this, or any water body they wish to. To this purpose, the thesis analyzes demographic data on the municipalities of the Tua drainage basin. It discusses literature and research on the subject of river restoration and important river processes in the following chapter, so as to introduce important theory concepts to have in mind when designing any restoration efforts. In its methodology, the techniques and data assessment tools used in the process of evaluating the river basin's conditions are described and defined, allowing interested managers to review and adapt to the specific needs of drainage basins anywhere. Finally, it presents a practical point-of-view intended to be applied on other freshwater bodies. The thesis includes the realization of an assessment physical characteristics and status of the Tua river reach, it splits up the drainage basin into several different sub-basins, for individual study, and, after a discussion of the conclusions drawn from the assessment for the whole drainage basin, it presents arguments for choosing the sub-sections which present the highest risk to the drainage basin and, as such, require priority action. This section also includes a presentation of the arguments in support of specific techniques to be put into place, given the specific needs of the sub-basin and the restoration goals for the entire drainage basin.

Doctor of Philosophy
Department of Geography
Charles W. Martin
Disturbance regimes are important determinants of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem structure and function. Disturbances may linger in the landscape and lag temporally, influencing stream ecosystem form and function for decades, if not centuries. The recent enhanced Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) infestation in pine forests of the Rocky Mountain region has resulted in extensive tree mortality, producing the potential for significant increases in carbon supply to stream channels. To better understand MPB impacts on in-stream large wood (LW), a census was conducted in 30 headwater streams within the Medicine Bow National Forest in south-central Wyoming, across the temporal spectrum from early- to late-stage MPB-infestation. A subset of those streams exhibiting mean conditions at each level of infestation was surveyed to determine any significant differences in channel morphology or aquatic ecosystem function. Results indicate that wood loads related to the MPB-infestation significantly increase with time since initial infestation. However, even in late-stage infestation streams, many of the fallen MPB-killed trees are bridging across the channels and have yet to break and ramp down sufficiently enough to enter between the channel margins. Wood loads will continue to increase as more trees fall and bridging pieces decompose, break and then enter the channel. Measurable increases in the amount of LW with time since initial beetle infestation have both positive and negative effects on channel form and function. Although forest MPB-infestation has peaked in the study area, streams are still early on a curve of rapidly increasing wood loads that are beginning to affect streams and have the potential to dramatically increase the carbon base of regional stream ecosystems.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Kentucky, 2004.
Title from document title page (October 12, 2004). Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 216 p. : ill., maps. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 202-212).

Spawning salmon depend on fluvial processes to maintain the bed texture of gravel bedded rivers as suitable spawning and incubation habitat. The coarse texture of a gravel bed is maintained by flow strengths capable of moving the gravel and removing fine sediments, thereby providing loose substrate that enhances its ability to conduct flow (i.e., its hydraulic conductivity). The flow strength that corresponds to the beginning of movement (i.e., entrainment) of a grain on a gravel bed is variable and, therefore, it needs to be measured to predict flow levels capable of bed texture maintenance. Lower flows can deliver fine sediment, which may accumulate in the gravels overlying salmon nests (i.e., redds) reducing the hydraulic conductivity and impairing salmon embryo development. I examine these processes to explain the variability in (i) the rate of change in the proportion of a gravel size fraction entrained as a function of flow strength and (ii) the rate of decrease in hydraulic conductivity as a function of the cumulative transport of fine sediment that depends on flow level.

I used tracer gravel and cobble grains and a two dimensional flow model to determine the flow strengths capable of gravel bed entrainment using binary plots of the occurrence or absence of tracer movement to approximate the fraction of the bed sediment entrained as a logistic function of increasing flow strength. The method provides an approximation of the flow strength capable of entraining the least resistant through the most resistant grains, thereby providing a new method to approximate the flow strength that is capable of fully entraining the bed. The results are confirmed by comparing the measurements of two study sites.

To measure the resistance of individual gravel and cobble grains to downstream movement, I used force gages and a theoretical force balance model that incorporates the frictional resistance of a grain and the lift and drag forces applied by stream flow. I measured the frictional resistance of grains at six sites with different morphologies to evaluate influences on grain resistance. Grain resistance varied depending on the grain size and sorting, amount of infiltrated sand, streamwise position along a gravel bar, and degree of fluctuation in the flow strength. The force balance model predicts that the dimensionless instantaneous flow strength capable of entraining a given proportion of a relative grain size varies along a bar. I tested the force balance model predictions by comparison with the tracer measurements from the tracer study. The differences between the force balance predictions and the tracer entrainment measurements are due to the definition of the flow strength as the time-averaged value from the 2D flow model and the instantaneous value from the force balance model. Adjusting the force balance model predictions by a simple factor that quantifies their difference and that corresponds with an index describing the fluctuations of the instantaneous flow strength about its time-averaged value produces agreement with the tracer measurements. This adjustment to force gage measurements from two sites on opposite limbs of a bar indicates that the time-averaged dimensionless flow strength capable of entraining a given proportion of a relative grain size is constant along a bar.

I constructed artificial redds at five sites to monitor changes in hydraulic conductivity and sand accumulation with cumulative bed load transport. I applied two backfill treatments to examine the effects of the presence and absence of grains smaller than 6.4 mm. Hydraulic conductivity varies temporally due to sand deposition and spatially due to the initial sand content of the backfill and the local sediment supply rate. The rate of change in hydraulic conductivity as a function of increasing cumulative transport is statistically significant but does not differ between backfill treatments or with location. I predicted the effect of flow on egg survival using an empirical relationship between hydraulic conductivity and egg survival with results that indicate hydraulic conductivity is dependent on sediment transport rate as a function of flow rate.

This work provides additional understandings of the relationship between flow and bed texture maintenance processes and useful tools for managing gravel bed rivers.

Tropical wetlands such as the Pantanal help regulate global biogeochemical cycles, but climate change is modifying these environments. Controls on environmental changes can potentially be assessed from ancient, well-dated lacustrine sedimentary records. An integrated field and laboratory approach was undertaken to study the limnogeology of Lake Uberaba in the northern Pantanal, and test whether the lake has preserved a reliable record of environmental change in its strata. This study was designed to understand how the basin accumulates sediment and to assess its sensitivity to hydroclimatic variability. The data showed that modern Lake Uberaba is a highly dynamic, freshwater fluvial-lacustrine basin. Modern lake floor sediments are largely siliciclastic silts, with limited organic matter content and abundant sponge spicules. This sedimentary composition reflects the lake’s open hydrology and well-mixed water column. Limited data from sediment cores indicates that Lake Uberaba may have formed ~1760 CE, following an abrupt transgression over an oxidized floodplain depositional environment. The stratal contact between lacustrine and floodplain deposits suggests the presence of an erosional unconformity, the timing and duration of which remains unknown. The environmental change favoring lake formation appears to be linked to increased effective precipitation provided by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in the northern Pantanal.

The interaction between fluvial and aeolian processes can significantly influence landforms. When rivers and sand dunes meet, the interaction of sediment transport between the two systems can lead to change in either one or both systems. However, these two systems are usually studied independently which leaves many questions unresolved in terms of how they interact. This study investigated interactions between fluvial and aeolian processes, focusing on the triggers that switch the dominance between one process and the other, and the consequent changes in geomorphology that may occur. Firstly, a global inventory of fluvial-aeolian interactions at 230 globally distributed locations was collected using satellite imagery. At each site, the following attributes were measured: net sand transport direction, fluvial-aeolian meeting angle, dune type and river channel pattern. From these data, six different types of interaction were classified that reflect a shift in dominance between the fluvial and aeolian systems. Results from this classification confirm that only certain types of interaction were significant: the meeting angle and dune type, the meeting angle and interaction type and finally the channel pattern and interaction type. These results show the importance of fluvial – aeolian interactions, but also reveal the difficulties of understanding dynamic geomorphic systems from images taken at a single moment in time. A highly novel cellular fluvial and aeolian/dune model was then developed to simulate the process interactions over longer periods of time. Results from the global inventory were used to set up the computational domain and different flow regimes (perennial and ephemeral) were simulated interacting with different magnitudes of aeolian sand transport. The model results demonstrated the same six types of interaction that were identified in the global survey, and also provided a better understanding of the dynamics of landform change which cannot be interpreted from single ‘snapshot’ images. In perennial fluvial systems, when the ratio between fluvial discharge (Rs) and aeolian sand transport rate (Dc) was in a range of critical values, the landscape exhibited cyclic behaviour with abrupt large-scale changes in the absence of external forcing. River channels would avulse around dunes significantly altering the river/dune configuration and affecting sediment output. The interaction types observed in the modelled scenarios also exhibited transient characteristic with gradual or rapid shifts between various interaction types even under stable conditions. In contrast, landform evolution in ephemeral fluvial systems was very different from perennial environments. Dunes crossed the river channel more easily in ephemeral environments and channel development was more irregular with wetland areas developing and frequent changes in channel pattern. The results suggest that the duration of the wet season is more important than the timing of the wet season on the sediment output rates. This study has demonstrated the importance of fluvial-aeolian interactions for understanding landform development in certain fluvial-aeolian environments and has shown that these systems may show complex responses even with constant input conditions.

Orientador: Archimedes Perez Filho
Banca: Iandara Alves Mendes
Banca: Cleide Rodrigues
Resumo: O estudo dos padrões de canal fluvial permitiu decifrar as diversas dinâmicas fluviais que o Rio Mogi Guaçu está submetido. A identificação e caracterização dos padrões de canal foram possíveis investigando os parâmetros: largura da planície fluvial, índice de sinuosidade, morfologia do canal, relevo das planícies, largura do canal, profundidade do canal, vazão e velocidade do fluxo. Para o Rio Mogi Guaçu foram encontrados sete padrões: Alto curso; Contato Serra-Depressão; Meandros de Conchal; Meandros de Leme; Boqueirão de Porto Ferreira; Meandros de Jataí; e, Foz do Mogi. A formação destes padrões está ligada a mudanças do gradiente, das estruturas e litologias no perfil longitudinal. Foi possível concluir que o desenvolvimento e a distribuição dos padrões de canal e das planícies fluviais são o resultado do inter-relacionamento das variáveis e fatores do sistema fluvial. Para o Rio Mogi Guaçu estas combinações modificam-se ao longo de todo o curso fluvial condicionando a formação de trechos com distintos padrões e dinâmicas.
Abstract: The study of fluvial channel patterns allowed to decipher various fluvial dynamics that Mogi Guaçu River is submitted. The channel patterns identification and characterization were possible investigating the parameters: floodplain width, sinuosity index, channel morphology, floodplains landform, channel width, channel depth, discharge and flow velocity. For Mogi Guaçu River were met seven channels patterns: Alto curso; Contato Serra-Depressão; Meandros de Conchal; Meandros de Leme; Boqueirão de Porto Ferreira; Meandros de Jataí; e, Foz do Mogi. The formation of these channels patterns is jointed move of gradient, geologic structures and lithologies in the longitudinal profile. It was possible to conclude that the development and the distribution of channel patterns and the floodplains are the effected of the interrelation of the variables and factors system fluvial. For Mogi Guaçu River these combinations modify all along the stream flow conditioning the formation of the intervals with distinct channel patterns and dynamics.
Mestre

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2008.
Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-137). Also available online in ProQuest, free to University of Oregon users.

Mountainous regions are ubiquitously dissected by river networks. These networks are the main drivers by which climate and tectonic signals are transmitted to the rest of the landscape, and control the response timescale of the landscape to these external forcings. Furthermore, river systems set the downslope boundary conditions for hillslope sediment transport, which controls landscape denudation. Therefore, understanding the controls on the organisation and structure of river networks in upland landscapes is an important goal in Earth surface processes research. The recent introduction of high-resolution topographic data, such as airborne lidar data, has revolutionised our ability to extract information from the topography, providing new opportunities for linking geomorphic process with landscape form. This thesis is focused on developing techniques for analysing high-resolution topographic data to quantify and understand controls on the structure of fiuvial systems in upland landscapes. Firstly, I develop and test new algorithms for objective feature extraction from lidar-derived digital elevation models (DEMs). I present a new method for identifying the upstream extent of channel processes by identifying scaling breaks in river long profiles. I then compare this new method to three existing methods of channel extraction, using field-mapped channel heads from four field sites in the US. I find that the new method presented here, along with another method of identifying channels based on valley geometry, most accurately reproduces the measured channel heads in all four field sites. I then present a new method for identifying floodplains and fiuvial terraces from DEMs based on two thresholds: local gradient, and elevation compared to the nearest channel. These thresholds are calculated statistically from the DEM using quantile-quantile plots and do not need to be set manually for each landscape in question. I test this new method against field-mapped floodplain initiation points, published flood hazard maps, and digitised terrace surfaces from eight field sites in both the US and the UK. This method provides a new tool for rapidly and objectively identifying floodplain and terrace features on a landscape scale, with applications including flood risk mapping, landscape evolution modelling, and quantification of sediment storage and routing. Finally, I apply these new algorithms to examine the density of channel networks across a range of mountainous landscapes, and explore implications for fluvial incision models. I compare the relationship between drainage density (Dd) and erosion rate (E) using both analytical solutions and numerical modelling, and find that varying the channel slope exponent (n) in detachment-limited fluvial incision models controls the relationship between Dd and E. Following on from this, I quantify Dd for five field sites throughout the US. For two of these field sites I compare Dd to cosmogenic radionuclide (CRN)-derived erosion rates, and for each site I use mean hilltop curvature as a proxy for erosion rate where CRN-derived erosion rates are not available. I find that there is a significant positive relationship between Dd, E, and hilltop curvature across four out of the five field sites. In contrast to assumptions made in many studies of fluvial incision, this positive relationship suggests that the channel slope exponent n is greater than unity for each of these landscapes, with fundamental implications for both landscape evolution and sediment transport.

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O megaleque fluvial do São Lourenço é um sistema deposicional que vem sendo construído pelo rio São Lourenço, desde o Pleistoceno, na porção nordeste da bacia sedimentar do Pantanal Mato-Grossense. Com base na interpretação de imagens orbitais e de dados de campo, foram reconhecidos três grandes compartimentos geomorfológicos no megaleque: a) uma extensa planície fluvial pleistocênica dissecada; b) um cinturão de meandros de idade holocênica, ainda ativo nas porções média/superior do megaleque, mas abandonado na sua porção distal; um lobo deposicional moderno composto por vários lóbulos deposicionais. Depósitos de diferentes compartimentos foram amostrados com vibrotestemunhador, sendo as facies sedimentares descritas e interpretadas em termos de processos e de ambientes deposicionais. As idades dos depósitos dos diferentes compartimentos foram obtidas por meio de datação pelo método de luminescência oticamente estimulada (LOE), o que permitiu a proposição de um modelo evolutivo para a área estudada. Na planície aluval dissecada foram reconhecidas paleorredes de canais distributários formados por lobos ativos durante o Pleniglacial médio, entre 64,8 e 28,5 ka AP. A planície aluvial dissecada foi submetida a processos erosivos, existindo na sua superfície uma rede de canais tributários, que drenam as águas das chuvas para as planícies fluviais periféricas dos rios Cuiabá e Piquiri. A maior evidência do evento de dissecação, que do final do Pleistoceno ao Holoceno superior, é a existência de um vale inciso na porção media/superior do megaleque, cortando os depósitos pleistocênicos dos lobos antigos. O vale tem direção N65E, condicionado pela falha de São Lourenço, e nele se encontra alojado o cinturão de meandros formado por agradação fluvial...
The São Lourenço fluvial megafan is a depositional system which has been built by the São Lourenço river since the Pleistocene in the northeastern region of the Pantanal sedimentary basin of Mato-Grosso State. Based on the interpretation of orbital images and collected data field, three major geomorphological compartments of the megafan were recognized: a) an extensive fluvial plain dissected in the Pleistocene; b) a meandering belt of Holocene age, still active in middle and upper parts of the megafan but abandoned in its most distal portion; and c) a modern depositional lobe consisting of several depositional lobes. Deposits of different compartments were sampled with vibrocorer and the recovered sedimentary facies have been described and interpreted in terms of processes and depositional environments. The ages of the deposits of the different compartments were obtained from dating by the optically stimulated luminescence method (OSL), which allowed the proposition of an evolutionary model for the study area. In the dissected alluvial plain, distributary paleochannels were recognized and formed lobes during the active Middle Pleniglacial, between 64,8 and 28,5 ka BP. The dissected alluvial plain was subjected to erosion, identified through the existence on its surface of a tributary drainage network which drains rain water to the peripheral alluvial plains of the Cuiabá and Piquiri rivers. The strongest evidence for dissection of the event, which starts from the late Pleistocene to the Holocene, is the existence of a valley in the middle/upper portion of the megafan, cutting through the Pleistocene deposits of ancient lobes. The valley has a N65E direction, conditioned by the São Lourenço fault, and it is housed in the fluvial meandering belt formed by aggradation of the valley during the Holocene. The heights of the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2008.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 219 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-108).

I seek to reconstruct the balance between sediment storage and yield across multiple drainage basin scales in a large (1 230 km2) watershed in the Northern Cascade range, British Columbia and Washington. Chilliwack Valley and surrounding area has been the site of numerous studies that have detailed much of its Quaternary sedimentary history. In the present study this information is supplemented by reconstruction of the morphodynamic trajectory of the river valley though the Holocene Epoch, and development of a sediment transfer model that describes the relaxation from the Fraser glaciation. The total Holocene sediment yield is estimated from basins across several scales using field and remotely sensed evidence to constrain the historical mass balance of delivery to higher order tributary basins. Rates of hillslope erosion are estimated using a diffusion-based relation for open slopes and delimitating the volume evacuated from major gully sources. Digital terrain models of paleo-surfaces are constructed to calculate total sediment erosion and deposition from tributary valleys and the mainstem. Chilliwack Lake has effectively trapped the entire post-glacial sediment load from the upper catchment (area = 334 km2), allowing to compare this "nested" system with the larger catchment. Rates of lake sediment accumulation are estimated using sediment cores and paleomagnetism. These are compared with accumulation rates in the terminal fan inferred from radiocarbon dating of fossil material, obtained by sonic drilling in the apex gravels. A sediment budget framework is then used to summarize the net transfer of weathered material and glacial sediments from the hillslope scale to the mainstem. The long-term average sediment yield from the upper basin is 62 +/- 9 t/km2/yr; contemporary yield is approximately 30 t/km2/yr. It is found that only 10-15% of the material eroded from the hillslopes is delivered to mouths of the major tributaries; the remaining material is stored at the base of footslopes and within the fluvial sedimentary system. Since the retreat of Fraser Ice from the mouth of the valley, Chilliwack River delivered over 1.8 +/- 0.21 km3 of gravel and sand to Vedder Fan in the Fraser Valley. In the sediment budget developed here, roughly 85% of that material is attributed to glacial sources, notably the Ryder Uplands and glacial valley fills deposited along the mainstem, upstream of Tamihi Creek. In tributary valleys, local base-level has fallen, leading to the evacuation of deep glacial sedimentary fills. Many of the lower reaches of major tributaries in upper Chilliwack Valley (e.g. Centre and Nesakwatch Creeks) remain primarily sediment sinks for slope-derived inputs, since base-level fall has not been initiated. In distal tributaries (Liumchen, Tamihi and Slesse creeks), paraglacial fans have been incised or completely eroded, entrained by laterally active channels. A transition from transport-limited to supply-limited conditions has been effected in many of these reaches. Slesse Creek has struck an intermediate balance, as it continues to remobilize its considerable sediment stores. It functions today as the sedimentary headwaters of Chilliwack Valley. Using grain size data and fine-sediment geochemical data gathered from Chilliwack River over the course of several field seasons, a simple finite-difference, surface-based sediment transport model is proposed. The aim of the model is to integrate the sediment-balance information, as inferred from estimates of hillslope erosion and valley storage, and physical principles of sediment transport dynamics to reproduce the key characteristics of a system undergoing base-level fall and reworking its considerable valley fill during degradation. Such characteristics include the river long profile, the river grain-size fining gradient, the percentage of substrate sand, and the diminution of headwater granite lithology in the active load. The model is able to reproduce many of the characteristics, but is not able to satisfy all criteria simultaneously. There is inevitably some ambiguity as to the set of parameters that produce the "right" result, however the model provides good insight into long-term interactions among parameters such as dominant discharge, grain size specifications, abrasion rates, initial topography, hiding functions, and hydraulic parameters.

It has long been known that the presence of wood in rivers plays a vital biological and functional role and that a reciprocal relationship exists between woody material and the geomorphology of rivers. Fluvial wood studies, however, are rarely ongoing through time in order to ascertain long-term wood patterns within complete drainage networks. This dissertation addresses the temporal lag in fluvial wood patterns throughout four watersheds in the Oregon Coast Range by recreating a field dataset first collected in 1979 and then again in 1998. Statistical and spatial analysis of stream morphometric data at designated transects throughout the watersheds in addition to analysis of log step and log jam inventories provide insight into significant changes that have occurred over a thirty year interval at a multi-basin scale. These watersheds are located in areas that have been impacted by years of timber harvesting in the mid-twentieth century, however, clearcutting has been on the decline since the early 1980s. This research investigates the impacts that the legacy of clearcutting and subsequent afforestation has had on the abundance and volume of fluvial wood in the stream networks of these four watersheds. I digitized historical aerial imagery to determine the amounts of clearcutting in the basins over time. I integrated this variable with channel morphometric variables to assess predictors of wood abundance and volume through multiple regression analysis. Results show that the stream that has been the most affected by clearcutting has lower volumes of wood than measured in 1979 or 1998. Residence times of wood are short in these watersheds and wood abundance and volume was highly impacted by the debris flows that occurred during the Storm of 1996, prior to the 1998 data collection. There are statistically significant changes that have occurred in the stream morphology among the four watersheds. This dissertation also tests a method of detecting fluvial wood through airborne lidar analysis. This method provides an alternative to field surveys in areas of even the most extreme tree canopy cover.

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O rio Paraná, em seu trecho natural, possui padrão multicanal caracterizado por canais secundários de diferentes ordens, separando diversas ilhas e barras fluviais. As barras fluviais são formas semi-submersas associadas à disponibilidade de sedimentos e a um dinamismo temporal cujas dimensões são controladas pelo fluxo e pela profundidade. Neste estudo, pretende-se compreender os processos que promovem a formação, desenvolvimento e movimentação de uma barra de soldamento situada junto à ilha Santa Rosa, no rio Paraná, município de Porto Rico - PR. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos, foram realizados levantamentos de parâmetros hidráulicos, morfométricos e granulométricos. Nos dados levantados dos parâmetros hidráulicos, verificou-se que a presença da ilha Santa Rosa, juntamente com barra fluvial, divide o canal em dois setores de dinâmica hidráulica e sedimentar distintas. O canal principal conduz a maior parcela da vazão, é mais energético, enquanto o canal secundário apresenta valores inferiores nestes dois parâmetros. A separação do fluxo também acarreta na formação de correntes divergentes à direção principal do canal, favorecendo a diminuição da velocidade e, consequentemente, a deposição de sedimentos no entorno da ilha Santa Rosa. Averiguou-se que a morfologia da barra está diretamente vinculada às flutuações de vazão do rio Paraná: em período de águas altas há maior retrabalhamento da forma, já no período de águas médias, esta se preservou parcialmente, inclusive com afloramento em parte. Quanto aos sedimentos, as partículas de diâmetro fino distribuem-se em locais de maior velocidade de fluxo e profundidade (talvegue) em ambos os períodos analisados As partículas de diâmetro médio a grosso encontram-se no período de águas altas distribuídas pela área estudada; já no período de águas médias, estes sedimentos...
The Paraná River, in its natural stretch, has a multichannel pattern characterized by secondary channels of different orders, which separates several islands and bars. The bars are forms semi-submerged associated with the availability of sediment and a temporal dynamic, whose dimensions are controlled by the flow and depth. This study intends to understand the processes which promote formation, development and movement of the annexation bar associated to the Santa Rosa Island, located on Paraná River, near to Porto Rico - PR. To achieve the proposed aims, surveys were carried out in hydraulic, morphometric and granulometric parameters. In the data hydraulic parameters survey it was found that the presence of Santa Rosa Island along with bar divides the river channel in two sectors of distinct dynamic hydraulic and sediment. The main channel leads to a higher portion of the flow, it is more energetic, while the secondary channel has lower values in these two parameters. The separation of the flow also causes the formation of divergent currents towards the main channel, favoring the decrease in velocity and consequent deposition of sediments near to Santa Rosa Island. It was found that the morphology of the bar is directly linked to fluctuations in the flow of the Paraná River, during periods of high water there is more reworking, since in this average water period partially preserved its shape, emerging in part. As for sediment, the fine diameter particles are distributed in areas of higher flow velocity and depth (thalweg) in both analyzed periods. From medium to coarse diameter particles are, in the high-water period, distributed in the studied area, although in the average water period these sediments are located in low flow velocity and depth (Bar and Secondary Channel). Specific stream power and shields parameter values are larger in the main channel in both periods, indicating... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Doctor of Philosophy
Department of Geography
Melinda D. Daniels
This dissertation increases our understanding of the drivers that shape and maintain grassland streams and their watersheds by examining the influence of grazing management practices on suspended sediment concentrations, bare ground production, and changes to channel geomorphology. Chapter 2 demonstrates that cattle grazing produces significantly higher baseflow suspended sediment concentrations relative to bison grazing. Suspended sediment concentrations within bison-grazed streams are similar to ungrazed streams, indicating that the substitution of cattle for bison has resulted in degradation of baseflow water quality in grassland streams. Burning frequency, discharge, and seasonality are also significant drivers of suspended sediment concentrations, but are generally less influential than grazing treatments. Chapter 3 indicates that high density cattle grazing treatments produce more bare ground within the riparian zones of grassland stream networks, particularly underneath tree canopy cover. The increased bare ground coverage within riparian areas is correlated with increased suspended sediment concentrations during baseflow conditions, while watershed-scale bare ground production is correlated with increased suspended sediment concentrations during storm flow events. Chapter 4 demonstrates channel geometry and sedimentology are significantly influenced by grazing treatments. This dissertation is the first study to comparatively evaluate the relative influence between cattle and bison grazing on stream geomorphology within any environment. Insight gained from this project can be used by public and private land use managers to improve the environmental integrity of native grassland ecosystems.

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O estudo dos padrões de canal fluvial permitiu decifrar as diversas dinâmicas fluviais que o Rio Mogi Guaçu está submetido. A identificação e caracterização dos padrões de canal foram possíveis investigando os parâmetros: largura da planície fluvial, índice de sinuosidade, morfologia do canal, relevo das planícies, largura do canal, profundidade do canal, vazão e velocidade do fluxo. Para o Rio Mogi Guaçu foram encontrados sete padrões: Alto curso; Contato Serra-Depressão; Meandros de Conchal; Meandros de Leme; Boqueirão de Porto Ferreira; Meandros de Jataí; e, Foz do Mogi. A formação destes padrões está ligada a mudanças do gradiente, das estruturas e litologias no perfil longitudinal. Foi possível concluir que o desenvolvimento e a distribuição dos padrões de canal e das planícies fluviais são o resultado do inter-relacionamento das variáveis e fatores do sistema fluvial. Para o Rio Mogi Guaçu estas combinações modificam-se ao longo de todo o curso fluvial condicionando a formação de trechos com distintos padrões e dinâmicas.
The study of fluvial channel patterns allowed to decipher various fluvial dynamics that Mogi Guaçu River is submitted. The channel patterns identification and characterization were possible investigating the parameters: floodplain width, sinuosity index, channel morphology, floodplains landform, channel width, channel depth, discharge and flow velocity. For Mogi Guaçu River were met seven channels patterns: Alto curso; Contato Serra-Depressão; Meandros de Conchal; Meandros de Leme; Boqueirão de Porto Ferreira; Meandros de Jataí; e, Foz do Mogi. The formation of these channels patterns is jointed move of gradient, geologic structures and lithologies in the longitudinal profile. It was possible to conclude that the development and the distribution of channel patterns and the floodplains are the effected of the interrelation of the variables and factors system fluvial. For Mogi Guaçu River these combinations modify all along the stream flow conditioning the formation of the intervals with distinct channel patterns and dynamics.

Orientador: Mario Luis Assine
Banca: José Cândido Stevaux
Banca: Edvard Elias de Souza Filho
Banca: Archimedes Perez Filho
Banca: Cenira Maria Lupinacci da Cunha
Resumo: O megaleque fluvial do São Lourenço é um sistema deposicional que vem sendo construído pelo rio São Lourenço, desde o Pleistoceno, na porção nordeste da bacia sedimentar do Pantanal Mato-Grossense. Com base na interpretação de imagens orbitais e de dados de campo, foram reconhecidos três grandes compartimentos geomorfológicos no megaleque: a) uma extensa planície fluvial pleistocênica dissecada; b) um cinturão de meandros de idade holocênica, ainda ativo nas porções média/superior do megaleque, mas abandonado na sua porção distal; um lobo deposicional moderno composto por vários lóbulos deposicionais. Depósitos de diferentes compartimentos foram amostrados com vibrotestemunhador, sendo as facies sedimentares descritas e interpretadas em termos de processos e de ambientes deposicionais. As idades dos depósitos dos diferentes compartimentos foram obtidas por meio de datação pelo método de luminescência oticamente estimulada (LOE), o que permitiu a proposição de um modelo evolutivo para a área estudada. Na planície aluval dissecada foram reconhecidas paleorredes de canais distributários formados por lobos ativos durante o Pleniglacial médio, entre 64,8 e 28,5 ka AP. A planície aluvial dissecada foi submetida a processos erosivos, existindo na sua superfície uma rede de canais tributários, que drenam as águas das chuvas para as planícies fluviais periféricas dos rios Cuiabá e Piquiri. A maior evidência do evento de dissecação, que do final do Pleistoceno ao Holoceno superior, é a existência de um vale inciso na porção media/superior do megaleque, cortando os depósitos pleistocênicos dos lobos antigos. O vale tem direção N65E, condicionado pela falha de São Lourenço, e nele se encontra alojado o cinturão de meandros formado por agradação fluvial... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The São Lourenço fluvial megafan is a depositional system which has been built by the São Lourenço river since the Pleistocene in the northeastern region of the Pantanal sedimentary basin of Mato-Grosso State. Based on the interpretation of orbital images and collected data field, three major geomorphological compartments of the megafan were recognized: a) an extensive fluvial plain dissected in the Pleistocene; b) a meandering belt of Holocene age, still active in middle and upper parts of the megafan but abandoned in its most distal portion; and c) a modern depositional lobe consisting of several depositional lobes. Deposits of different compartments were sampled with vibrocorer and the recovered sedimentary facies have been described and interpreted in terms of processes and depositional environments. The ages of the deposits of the different compartments were obtained from dating by the optically stimulated luminescence method (OSL), which allowed the proposition of an evolutionary model for the study area. In the dissected alluvial plain, distributary paleochannels were recognized and formed lobes during the active Middle Pleniglacial, between 64,8 and 28,5 ka BP. The dissected alluvial plain was subjected to erosion, identified through the existence on its surface of a tributary drainage network which drains rain water to the peripheral alluvial plains of the Cuiabá and Piquiri rivers. The strongest evidence for dissection of the event, which starts from the late Pleistocene to the Holocene, is the existence of a valley in the middle/upper portion of the megafan, cutting through the Pleistocene deposits of ancient lobes. The valley has a N65E direction, conditioned by the São Lourenço fault, and it is housed in the fluvial meandering belt formed by aggradation of the valley during the Holocene. The heights of the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

O estudo da geodiversidade vem sendo desenvolvido desde a década de 1990 e visa o conhecimento, descrição e conservação do patrimônio natural, através da avaliação de aspectos geológicos (minerais, rochas e fósseis), geomorfológicos (formas de relevo, processos) e pedológicos. A presente pesquisa buscou demonstrar e avaliar o potencial de utilização de variáveis da geomorfologia fluvial como indicadores de geodiversidade, considerando a subtilização deste tipo de indicador em estudos ambientais no Brasil. Essa subtilização coloca-se especialmente para a região amazônica, onde o ambiente fluvial tem grande relevância, seja nos aspectos ambientais, culturais estéticos ou científicos. O objetivo central da tese é a caracterização morfológica e análise, por amostragem, de padrões de canais fluviais e de outros parâmetros da morfologia fluvial na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Xingu, a fim de demonstrar a relevância desta variável para a avaliação da geodiversidade na Amazônia. Apesar de ainda ser, em grande parte, protegida por Unidades de Conservação e por Terras Indígenas, a Bacia Hidrográfica do Xingu sofre graves pressões antrópicas, ocasionadas principalmente pela monocultura de soja, nas áreas de cabeceiras, e pela construção da Usina Belo Monte na chamada Volta Grande do Xingu, próxima à sede do município de Altamira- PA. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em duas escalas. Na de maior detalhe (1:150.000), foram realizados mapeamentos da morfologia fluvial para 23 áreas selecionadas como representativas da diversidade de padrões de canais fluviais na bacia hidrográfica considerada. Essa caracterização comprovou a grande diversidade de padrões de canais fluviais na área de estudo, demonstrando a pertinência desse parâmetro como indicativo de geodiversidade, e servindo também como base para a inserção da variável mudanças de padrão de canais fluviais na metodologia de mapeamento dos índices de geodiversidade da Bacia Hidrográfica do Xingu. Na escala de menor detalhe, foi aplicado um método de quantificação da geodiversidade, em toda a Bacia Hidrográfica, baseado na mensuração e integração dos elementos abióticos espacializados em mapas temáticos em escalas que variam de 1:250.000 a 1:1.000.000, com auxílio de um grid da articulação sistemática 1:25.000. Nesta escala foi realizada, também, uma correlação entre os índices de geodiversidade e os índices de biodiversidade, inferidos pelo XI mapeamento da vegetação em escala 1:250.000 (IBGE, 2000c). As principais contribuições da pesquisa foram o enriquecimento de bases para o estudo de grandes rios amazônicos e a aplicação de um método de mapeamento dos índices de geodiversidade, que poderá servir como instrumento para o planejamento ambiental, especialmente na definição de áreas prioritárias para conservação na região amazônica.
The study of geodiversity has been developed since the 1990s and aims the knowledge, description and conservation of natural heritage, through the evaluation of geological (minerals, rocks and fossils), geomorphological (landforms, processes) and pedological aspects. This research has intended to demonstrate and evaluate the potential use of fluvial geomorphological variables as geodiversity indicators, in view of the underutilization of this kind of indicator in environmental studies in Brazil. This underutilization is a critical issue for the Amazon region, where fluvial environments have great relevance on diverse aspects (environmental, cultural, aesthetic and scientific). The central aim of the thesis is the morphological characterization and analysis of river channel patterns and other parameters of fluvial morphology in sampling areas in the Xingu River Basin, in order to demonstrate the relevance of these parameters for the assessment of geodiversity in the Amazon. Although still largely preserved by conservation units and indigenous lands, the Xingu Basin suffers severe anthropogenic pressures, mainly caused by soy monocultures in headwater areas and by the construction of the Belo Monte Dam in the \"Volta Grande do Xingu\", near the town of Altamira, in the state of Pará. This research was conducted at two different spatial scales. On a more detailed scale (1:150,000), maps of fluvial morphology were made for 23 selected areas, which were considered representative of the diversity of river channel patterns in the drainage basin. This characterization proved the great diversity of river channel patterns in the study area, demonstrating the relevance of this parameter as an indicator of geodiversity. Such a characterization was also useful as a basis for the inclusion of the variable \"change in channel pattern\" in the mapping methodology of the geodiversity indexes in the Xingu Drainage Basin. On a less detailed scale, a method to quantify the geodiversity was applied to the entire drainage basin, based on the measurement and integration of abiotic elements, spatially distributed on thematic maps with scales ranging from 1:250,000 to 1:1,000,000, with the aid of a systematic articulation grid 1:25,000. On this scale it was also performed a correlation between the geodiversity and the biodiversity indexes, the latter inferred by vegetation mapping on scale 1:250,000 (IBGE, 2000c). XIII The main contributions of this research are the enrichment of the knowledge basis about large Amazonian rivers, as well as the application of a method for mapping the geodiversity indexes, which can be useful as a tool for environmental planning, particularly in defining priority areas for conservation in the Amazon region.

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Rivers are important agents working in the sculpturing of relief, through its high transport capacity of sediments originary from slopes and marginal erosion. The modeling occurs through the processes of erosion and deposition of sediments, which depend on variables such as lithological composition, slope, and flooding. The processes that originate topographic forms are widely described in the literature of alluvial-bed rivers, however little is known about the occurrence of these forms in mixed bed channels (alluvial-rock) and bedrock channel. In this context, this research aims to describe the topographic forms of the valleys on the Cascavel Plateau. The method for the recognition of these forms is the topographic mapping of cross sections in different parts of the channel located at the top, middle and lower course. The mapping is performed with a set level and optical sights. Were mapped four fluvial channels, two channels in areas with altimetric elevations below 400 meters, and two other channels with elevations above 700 meters. The channels have floodplains with varying lengths. Topographic forms were found as dikes, point bars, flood inundation basins, pools and riffles. The data collected show strong channel incision in the sections corresponding to the upper parts of the channels, and that in the course stretches of low flood plains are well developed. Channel meandering is a characteristic feature of the Cascavel Plateau. The formation of point bars is directly associated with the channel marginal erosion, whereas the dikes are the result of sediment settling. The pool-riffle sequences occur by the reduction of the flow velocity in some places, and, in others, by the presence of woody debris. In some parts of the river where are rock outcrop was observed the formation of pot-holes
Os rios são importantes agentes atuando na esculturação do relevo por meio da sua alta capacidade de transporte de sedimentos originários das vertentes e dos processos de erosão marginal. A modelagem ocorre através dos processos de erosão e deposição de sedimentos, que dependem de variáveis como composição litológica, declividade e cheias. Os processos que originam as formas topográficas são descritos vastamente na literatura sobre rios de leito aluviais, no entanto pouco se sabe sobre a ocorrência dessas formas em canais de leitos mistos (aluviais-rochosos) e leitos rochosos. Nesse contexto esta pesquisa objetiva a descrição das formas topográficas de fundos de vale no Planalto de Cascavel. O método para o reconhecimento dessas formas topográficas consiste no mapeamento de seções transversais em trechos distintos do canal localizados no alto, médio e baixo curso. O mapeamento é realizado com um conjunto de nível ótico e mira. Foram mapeados quatro canais fluviais, sendo dois canais em áreas com cotas altimétricas inferiores a 400 metros e, outros dois canais com cotas superiores a 700 metros. Os canais apresentam planícies de inundação com extensões variadas. Foram encontradas formas topográficas como diques, barras em pontal, bacias de inundação, soleiras e depressões. Os dados coletados mostram que há forte incisão do canal nos trechos correspondentes ao alto curso dos canais, e, que nos trechos de baixo curso as planícies de inundação são bem desenvolvidas. O meandramento de canais é uma característica do Planalto de Cascavel. A formação de barras em pontal está associada diretamente a erosão marginal, enquanto que os diques são resultantes da decantação de sedimentos. As sequências de soleiras-depressões ocorrem pela diminuição da velocidade do fluxo em alguns trechos, e, em outros, pela presença de detritos lenhosos. Nos trechos rochosos onde há afloramento rochoso foi observada a formação de marmitas

Healthy riparian vegetation has a positive impact on the adjacent river. Unfortunately, riparian vegetation is often threatened by human impacts such as dam construction and clearing. To gain the knowledge underlying the effects of such impacts and to aid riparian rehabilitation, the objective of this thesis was: to determine riparian vegetation association with, and response to, variation in fluvial geomorphology over several scales and consequently to fluvial disturbance. Only woody riparian plant species were considered. Flood disturbance was the unifying theme of this thesis. Linked to this theme and arising from the main objective was the supposition that plant interactions with the abiotic environment, but not biotic interactions between species, control riparian species distribution because of frequent fluvial disturbances. Woody riparian vegetation and riverine environmental variables were recorded along the upper Murrumbidgee River at three spatial scales based on a geomorphic hierarchy for Chapter 2. Multivariate analysis was used to group species and to associate environmental variables with vegetation at the three spatial scales. Observations at the two larger scales, of river segment (site) and riparian reach (transect), identified a river-longitudinal speciescomposition gradient associated with geology, river width and stream channel slope. Observations at the smallest scale of geomorphic units (plot) identified a lateral riparian gradient and also the longitudinal gradient; these gradients were associated with geomorphic variation, land use, plot elevation and also river longitudinal variables. Using the same data set, but varying the spatial scale of analysis caused the species composition pattern to change between scales. Increase in scale of observation, that is from geomorphic unit to reach and segment scales, resulted in disproportionate importance of rarer species and decreased importance of some key riparian species at the larger scales. It would appear that in this instance the geomorphic unit scale best described patches of different species composition because this scale had high spatial resolution and was also able to identify multiple gradients of environmental variation. It was recommended that riparian sampling take place at scales that represent dominant gradients in the riparian zone. These gradients are represented by geomorphic scales, indicating the appropriateness of using geomorphic based scales for observation of riparian vegetation. Chapter 3 considered whether there is a geomorphic template upon which riparian vegetation is patterned and whether it is associated with process variables, such as flooding and soil type. This question was investigated at different spatial scales in three ways: i) by an experiment to determine whether soil nutrient condition affects plant growth; ii) by graphical analysis of trends between geomorphic units, species and process variables; and iii) by analysis of vegetation distribution data. The smallest scale (meso) found experimental differences in plant growth because of soil type. Plants growing in sand had the lowest performance, with an average plant Relative Growth Rate (RGR) of 0.01, compared to plants growing in soils with small amounts of silt or clay particles, with an average plant RGR of 0.04. This pattern was attributed to differences in nutrients. Clear relationships were demonstrated at the larger geomorphic unit scale between species distribution and process variables. For example, hydrology and substratum type were found to be associated with geomorphic units and species. The largest scale considered in Chapter 3 was the riparian reach scale. At this scale species were clearly grouped around reach type. Therefore, geomorphology was considered to be a template for riparian species distribution. Findings in this chapter suggested that geomorphic variables should be good predictors of riparian species distribution. This hypothesis was tested and supported in Chapter 6. The experiments reported in Chapter 4 aimed to determine whether inundation depth and duration affected plant performance and survival for five common riparian zone species. Riparian seedling patterns in the field were also compared with experimental results to test whether species performance was reflected by field distribution. The experiments that were conducted included an inundation period and depth experiment, and a survival period test whilst under complete inundation. Biomass and height relative growth rates were determined, and the results were analysed using factorial Analysis of Variance. Obligate riparian species (Callistemon sieberi, Casuarina Cunninghamiana, Leptospermum obovatum) were found to be tolerant of inundation duration and depth, to the point where inundation provided a growth subsidy. On the other hand, non-obligate riparian species (Acacia dealbata, Kunzea ericoides) were either just tolerant of inundation or showed a negative growth response. For instance, C. sieberi demonstrated an average height RGR of 0.04 after complete inundation and 0.007 when not inundated, while A. dealbata had an average height RGR of 0.001 after complete inundation and 0.01 when not inundated. These experimental findings were found to closely reflect both seedling and adult plant distribution in the field such that inundation tolerant species were found close to the river and intolerant species further away. Thus, the conclusion was drawn that riparian species establishment and distribution is affected by inundation and that change to the flood regime could have serious impacts on riparian zone plant composition. The other aim of this chapter was to determine whether optimum germination temperatures were associated with flood or rainfall. Growth chamber germination trials were conducted at air temperatures of 15�C, 20�C and 25�C to determine the 'best' germination temperature. These germination patterns at different temperatures were then related to annual variation in field temperature, flooding period and rainfall. No evidence was found to suggest a relationship between ideal germination temperature and flood season, rather it was suggested that germination was patchy through time and may simply reflect recent rainfall. Investigations that were reported in Chapter 5 aimed to elucidate relationships between species and flow velocity variables. Two experiments were conducted: i) a flume experiment to determine the effect of flow velocity on plant growth; and ii) an experiment to observe the response of plants to damage (imitating flood damage) and inundation. Field observations of species distribution and flow velocity related variables were also conducted to put the flume results into a real-world context. Treatments for the flume experiment were fast flow velocity (0.74 m s-1), slow velocity (0.22 m s-1) and no velocity (control) but still inundated. All treatments were flooded completely for four days. Subsequent biomass and height relative growth rates were determined, and the results were analysed using factorial Analysis of Variance. Results were unexpected, given that obligate species exposed to the fastest velocity had the highest growth rate with an average height RGR of 0.046, compared to plants in still water, which grew the least with an average height RGR of 0.013. It was hypothesised that this response was because relatively greater carbon dioxide and oxygen levels were available in the moving water compared to the still water. With regard to shoot damage, the species that were nonobligate riparian species lost more leaves from velocity treatment than the obligate riparian species. The cut and flood experiment found growth of the obligate species (Casuarina cunninghamiana) to be greater after cutting than the non-obligate species. Flooding was not found to have an effect in the cut and flood experiment, probably because the period to sampling after flood treatment was longer (4 weeks) than other flooding experiments (3 weeks). Field observations were found to support the experimental findings, with a gradient of species across the riparian zone that reflected potential flood velocities. Therefore, velocity is one of a suite of riparian hydrological factors that are partially responsible for the gradient of species across the riparian zone. Potentially the absence of flooding could result in a homogeneous mix of species, rather than a gradient, except on the very edge of the river. The study that was reported in Chapter 6 investigated a technique for predicting riparian vegetation distribution. One of the aims of this investigation was to address a current riparian rehabilitation shortfall, which was how to objectively select species to plant for rehabilitation. Field data were collected from three confined river valleys in south-eastern New South Wales. Using data on plant species occurrence and site and plot measures of soils, hydrology and climate, an AUSRIVAS-style statistical model, based on cluster and discriminant analysis, was developed to predict the probability of species occurrence. The prediction accuracy was 85 % when tested with a separate set of plots not used in model construction. Problems were encountered with the prediction of rarer species, but if the probability of selection was varied according to the frequency of species occurrence then rarer species would be predicted more often. Various models were tested for accuracy including three rivers combined at the geomorphic unit (plot) scale and riparian reach (transect) scale in addition to a Murrumbidgee River plot scale model. Surprisingly, the predictive accuracy of the all rivers and single river models were approximately the same. However, the difference between the large scale and small scale models pointed to the importance of including small scale flood-related parameters to predict riparian vegetation. When these riparian predictions were compared to predictive outcomes from a hill slope model, which was assumed to be affected by fewer disturbances (i.e. flooding), predictive accuracies were not very different. Overall though, predictive accuracy for riparian vegetation was high, but not good enough to support the supposition that riparian vegetation is abiotically controlled because of frequent flood disturbance. Nevertheless, geomorphology and consequently flood effects are still important for the determination of the riparian community composition. Overall, riparian vegetation was found to be closely linked to its environment (evidenced in Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5) in a predictable manner (Chapter 6). Species pattern relied on flood disturbance affecting species distribution. Some riparian species were found to be highly tolerant of flooding and gained a growth advantage after flooding (Chapters 4 and 5). Therefore, flood tolerance was important for the formation of a species gradient across the riparian zone. These species tolerances and growth requirements reflect riparian geomorphic pattern (Chapter 3), which was suggested to form a template on which riparian vegetation is structured.

In this paper we present a joint initiative of the Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (Ingemmet) and the Research Group of Physical Geography in High Mountains of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (GFAM-UCM), to promote at Peru the research on geomorphology and climate change. The plan is to elaborate geomorphological maps of Lima Metropolitana and header watersheds (Chillón, Rímac and Lurín), to generating analytical instruments to achieve the following objectives: 1) Decoding the record of climatic changes in landforms. 2) Delimit water reserves stored as ice masses (cryosphere). 3) Recognize the relationship between the geomorphology and the geological hazards which may affect to people and their economic activities. 4) Design a methodology that can be extrapolated to other Peruvian regions. To this end, geomorphological mapping will be integrated into geographic information systems (GIS): will be identified the morphoclimatic units and the related genetic processes. Also, their relative chronologies will be proposed. Then, the absolute dating of key units will be established to confirm or correct the relative chronologies. The information will be compiled in databases to be contrasted with other evidences and paleoclimatic proxies. This is intended to produce models of climate evolution, to contribute to the assessment of geological hazards, and the knowledge of current state of cryosphere, including recent trends and future forecasts.
En este trabajo se presenta una iniciativa conjunta del Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (Ingemmet) y el Grupo de Investigación en Geografía Física de Alta Montaña de la Univeridad Complutense de Madrid (GFAM-UCM) para promover en el Perú las investigaciones sobre geomorfología y cambio climático. El plan consiste en elaborar mapas geomorfológicos de la región de Lima Metropolitana y las cabeceras de sus cuencas hidrográficas (Chillón, Luríny Rímac) generando instrumentos de análisis para: 1) Decodificar el registro de los cambios climáticos en las formas del relieve. 2) Delimitar las reservas hídricas almacenadas en forma de masas de hielo (criosfera), conocer sus tendencias y elaborar pronósticos de futuro. 3) Identificar las relaciones entre las geoformas del relieve y los peligros geológicos que afectan a la población y sus actividades económicas. 4) Diseñar una metodología que pueda extrapolarse a otras regiones peruanas. Con el fin de lograr esos objetivos, en primer lugar se van a elaborar mapas geomorfológicos integrados en sistemas de información geográfica (SIG): se diferenciarán las unidades morfoclimáticas, se identificarán los procesos que las generaron y se propondrán sus cronologías relativas. A continuación, se establecerán las cronologías absolutas de unidades clave, que permitirán confirmar o corregir la anterior secuencia de edades. De este modo se desea contribuir a desarrollar modelos de la evolución del clima, colaborar con la evaluación de los peligros geológicos y conocer el estado de la criosfera, incluyendo tendencias pasadas y previsiones futuras.

Thesis advisor: Noah P. Snyder
River channel morphology in northern New England depends on channel position relative to glacial geomorphology and history. This thesis considers three paraglacial Maine rivers: the West Branch of the Pleasant River (WBPR), a steep inland imposed-form tributary of the Piscataquis River, and the Narraguagus and Sheepscot rivers, two coastal low-gradient rivers. I use a simple model based on the Shields and Manning equations to predict median bed grain size in these recently deglaciated watersheds. The main objectives of this study are to: (1) understand how bedrock controls on the longitudinal profile and sediment inputs impact substrate grain size and channel morphology in the WBPR; (2) apply a model predicting substrate grain size based on digital elevation model (DEM)-derived geometric channel parameters; (3) compare the results from the high gradient WBPR to previously studied low-gradient coastal Maine rivers; and (4) explore the implications of my findings on channel and habitat restoration in paraglacial rivers. I use standard and lidar (light detection and ranging) digital elevation models (DEMs) and spatial analyses to measure channel parameters necessary to predict bed grain size and compare them to field measurements. Predicted bed grain size falls within a factor of two of the field-measured median in ~70% of the study sites. The model performs best in supply-limited alluvial single-thread channel segments with gravel-cobble lag deposit beds, and is less successful in transport-limited depositional segments with relatively fine beds and greater channel variability. Channel segments that are transitional between these two cases (intermediate channel complexity and grain size) are associated with intermediate grain size prediction accuracy. Model failures occur in segments that deviate from the single-thread gravel-bed channel type, and may indicate areas to focus restoration efforts. This study builds on previous research on low-gradient coastal rivers in Maine, and has wide application to future research or restoration projects concerned with sediment mobilization and fluvial ecology
Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2011
Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Discipline: Geology and Geophysics

This work have quantitatively determine the catchment variables controlling the sinuosity transition of non-valley constrained DFS channels in Alaska, Himalaya and the Andes. Results from the characterisation of channel sinuosity were used through regression analyses to determine the catchment and channel bed parameters controlling reach sinuosity trend and transition of fluvial channel planforms in order to infer a control on the heterogeneity of DFS in the rock record. The catchment approach used was necessary because the studied fluvial systems are associated with DFS (which are regarded as larger forms of alluvial fans) and catchment based approach have been used to investigate controls on alluvial fan morphology. In addition, catchment based investigations are rare in the analyses of the discriminant functions that are considered as controlling factors on channel sinuosity and planform employed previously in the tributary systems. Two distinct channel types were found through the characterisation of 553 reaches of fluvial channels in 3 different modern continental sedimentary basins; channels with no transition in sinuosity/planform (group 1), and channels with transition in sinuosity/planform (group 2) Among the channel bed and catchment quantitative variables investigated in this work, catchment area is the only parameter that shows a general relationship with the channel distance from the apex to the transition point in channel sinuosity through the overall regression results. The result shows that the bigger the catchment area the longer the transition point which is related to a higher water and sediment discharge. Thus, the point at which the channel sinuosity transition will occur can be predicted from the catchment area through the regression equation [y=0.0017x + 28] of the overall linear regression line, where x is the catchment area and y is the channel distance from the apex to the point of transition in channel sinuosity. As the studied channels are associated with DFS, this relation also reflects the prediction of the transition point in the DFS fluvial styles in the rock record. Overall regression analysis results show statistically poor results for the relationship between catchment elevation, catchment slope, channel bed elevation, channel bed slope and either the channel sinuosity or the sinuosity transition. However, in all the three study areas, the majority of the datasets show a trend with the catchment area/sinuosity transition relationship. Additionally, the study area with mainly the biggest catchments (longer channel sinuosity transition) is associated with the highest catchment slope, lowest channel bed elevation and more anabranching channels. Also, the study area with mainly the smallest catchments (shorter channel sinuosity transition) is associated with lower catchment slope, higher channel bed elevation and fewer anabranching channels. This suggests that the higher water and sediment discharge may be related to the steeper slopes and the anabranching channels may reflect the lower channel bed elevation. However, deviations obeserved in the overall regression result in the three study areas are attributed to the differences in the climatic, geologic and tectonic factors in the 3 settings. Although, the differences in these study areas have been shown, nevertheless the interpretations cannot be substantiated in this work with the available data. Thus, there is need for further research to prove any conclusive relationship between these factors and hence remains an issue of debate. In conclusion, this work shows that catchment area is an important controlling parameter on the transition in channel sinuosity of non-valley constrained DFS channels and consequently reflects a a control on the transition in spatial variations of the associated DFS in the rock record.

Recent advances in through-water photogrammetry and optical imagery indicate that accurate, continuous bathymetric mapping may be possible in shallow, clear streams. This research directly compares the ability of through-water photogrammetry and spectral depth approaches to extract water depth for monitoring fish habitat. Imagery and cross sections were collected on a 140 meter reach of the Salmon River, Oregon, using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and rtk-GPS. Structure-from-Motion (SfM) software produced a digital elevation model (DEM) (1.5 cm) and orthophoto (0.37 cm). The photogrammetric approach of applying a site-specific refractive index provided the most accurate (mean error 0.009 m) and precise (standard deviation of error 0.17 m) bathymetric data (R2 = 0.67) over the spectral depth and the 1.34 refractive index approaches. This research provides a quantitative comparison between and within bathymetric mapping methods, and suggests that a site-specific refractive index may be appropriate for similar gravel-bed, relatively shallow, clear streams.

Na presente pesquisa investiga-se a geomorfologia da planície fluvial do rio Pinheiros entre os bairros de Pinheiros, Butantã e Cidade Jardim, na cidade de São Paulo. Para tal, propõe-se uma carta geomorfológica de detalhe deste setor da planície na escala de 1:20.000, confeccionada a partir de pesquisa arquivística prévia e, principalmente, de fotografias aéreas e de mapas antigos. A análise da carta e a sua correlação com informações sedimentológicas e estratigráficas encontradas, principalmente, em recentes relatórios de engenharia para a construção do Metrô de São Paulo, permitem a caracterização do sistema fluvial deste setor do rio Pinheiros, bem como de parte da morfodinâmica atuante no sistema antes da perturbação antrópica de alto impacto decorrente da urbanização que ali se instalou a partir da década de 1930. A pesquisa permitiu também a interpretação de uma provável sequência de eventos geomorfológicos atuantes no setor estudado durante o Pleistoceno Superior e o Holoceno. Parâmetros morfométricos tais como índice de sinuosidade de canais e paleocanais e largura da planície no trecho estudado evidenciaram aspectos da influência da estrutura geológica em sua evolução. O reconhecimento de sistemas geomorfológicos em seu estágio préperturbação antrópica é essencial para a compreensão dos processos atuais, principalmente em meios intensamente modificados como as áreas urbanas. A pesquisa apresenta então este tipo de reconhecimento, colaborando assim na compreensão dos processos antecedentes às grandes rupturas que se instalam no sistema a partir das ações antrópicas na superfície.
This research investigates the geomorphology of part of Pinheiros River fluvial plain in São Paulo city. This study main result is a detailed geomorphologic map - 1:20,000 - that used ancient aerial photographs and maps obtained from formal archival surveys. The descriptions of floodplain units were associated to stratigraphic and sedimentologic data obtained from recent engineering projects reports of São Paulo underground (such as subway). This association allows the understanding of part of Pinheiros River fluvial system and morphodynamic before urbanization. The research also allowed offering a sequence of geomorphological events related to the floodplain and channel systems over the Holocene. Morphometric parameters, such as width and sinuosity index of channels and paleo-channels of floodplain meandering system, appear as an evidence of the structural influence in geomorphological evolution of this system. The recognition of geomorphologic systems in pre-disturbance stage is essential for understanding the current processes, mainly in environments greatly modified by human actions, such as urban areas. This research presents this kind of recognition and contributes to the understanding of processes in the system before human actions in the surface.

Identifying tectonically active faults and quantifying rates of movement is a key challenge in the Earth Sciences, in addition to this the interactions between active faulting and the landscape, specifically involving the fluvial network, is a relatively new area of study. Previous work has highlighted the value of understanding how the fluvial network responds to active tectonics, showing that a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between fluvial geomorphology and active tectonics is an important next step in geological research. This study presents new information about the poorly constrained Quaternary tectonic history of the Gediz Graben, Turkey, providing the first quantification of rates of movement of the key fault array that presently controlling graben topography. The fluvial network has been investigated and the data has been used in order to add resolution to the tectonic history for the fault array, allowing for the quantification of post-linkage throw rates. The study then investigates the key controls on the behaviour of the fluvial network that cross the active topography building fault array in the Gediz Graben. This study shows that there has been a linkage event occurring between 0.6 – 1 Ma, involving the three segments of the graben bounding fault array. The pre- and post-linkage throw rates are then extrapolated using data derived from the fluvial network, showing a faulting enhancement factor of 3 at the centre of the fault array, with the throw rate at the centre of the array predicted to have increased from a pre-linkage rate of 0.6 ± 0.1 mm/yr to a rate of 2 ± 0.2 mm/yr. This research provides evidence that the fluvial network can be used in conjunction with other types of evidence to provide a greater resolution tectonic history. Using both digital data and field studies this research presents an examination of the factors that influence the behaviour of bedrock rivers undergoing perturbation due to tectonics. Factors such as drainage area, tectonic throw rates and lithology have been investigated and the complicated interactions of these variables with the fluvial system have been quantified. This study shows that the bedrock rivers are a significant source of information about tectonics, but further work is needed to resolve quantitatively how various factors influence how rivers adjust to tectonic perturbation, in a variety of tectonic situations, in order to enable river to be used as a primary tool for deriving information about tectonics.

Postglacial rivers are part of the relatively young low-relief landscape system left behind by glaciers. Over time, postglacial rivers are susceptible to both minor and major channel planform changes as the Earth and its newly exposed rivers adjust to new isostatic and geomorphic equilibriums. Those planform changes result in topographic features that are well preserved among the largely unaltered landscape and offer opportunities to learn about the processes that create them. This work focuses on those minor and major planform changes and the resulting landforms, with a focus on processes effecting the glaciolacustrine Red River Valley. Here, three studies were conducted, two regarding minor planform changes and one focusing on major planform changes. Studies included in this work regard 1) the spatial distribution of meander cutoffs and meander cutoff relief on the Red River, 2), avulsion timing and length resulting from isostatic tilting and 3) mobile river ice and bank interaction frequency, locations, and erosion in meandering rivers. Results show that rivers develop meander cutoffs that faster in areas where geologic materials are more easily eroded and their relief shows a positive relationship with the rate of river incision. Major channel path changes (avulsions) in the presence of isostatic tilting were found to be most frequent soon after river establishment while rates of isostatic rebound are high enough to outpace channel incision. River ice was found to most frequently interact with the outer banks of channels with long, tight bends and high sinuosity, potentially contributing to the meandering process. From these results it can be interpreted that postglacial rivers were highly dynamic early in their history and have stabilized over time, with most of the changes occurring in areas with more erodible alluvium. Presently, rivers undergo most of their changes during the spring thaw when mobile river ice is impacting the banks, with sinuous river reaches impacted most frequently by mobile river ice.
North Dakota Water Recourses Research Institute (ND WRRI) Fellowship Program

Orientador: Archimedes Perez Filho.
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociencias
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Resumo: Este estudo mostra que a dinâmica fluvial do Rio Mogi Guaçu (NE do Estado de São Paulo, SE Brasileiro) é influenciada pelas estruturas geológicas da bacia hidrográfica e pelas litologias que sustentam o leito fluvial. Essas estruturas e litologias afetam a forma do perfil longitudinal, alterando as relações entre a dinâmica da corrente fluvial e a carga sedimentar, seccionando o curso d'água em trechos com diferentes condições de transporte e morfologia do canal. A análise do perfil longitudinal do Vale e do Rio Mogi Guaçu permitiu correlacionar as estruturas geológicas e a distribuição da litologia com as anomalias na forma do perfil. Estas anomalias são setores do curso fluvial situados acima ou abaixo da linha de tendência do perfil longitudinal. Litologias resistentes à erosão fluvial sustentam anomalias acima da linha de tendência do perfil, enquanto que estruturas e lineamentos orientaram movimentos neotectônicos quaternários, promovendo anomalias abaixo da linha de tendência. A análise do desenvolvimento dos meandramentos e a associação de pedofácies mostraram duas planícies do Rio Mogi Guaçu com comportamentos morfodinâmicos distintos. A primeira delas, situada a montante de uma anomalia da forma do perfil longitudinal, mostrou processos de migração dos meandros concentrados exclusivamente no cinturão meândrico e solos com maturidade mínima e intermediária. A segunda, situada a jusante de outra anomalia, mostrou processos de migração dos meandros dispersos por toda a planície aluvial e solos com maturidade mínima. As estruturas geológicas e litologias promovem as anomalias na forma do perfil longitudinal do Rio Mogi Guaçu por meio de mudanças no gradiente fluvial, formando setores com comportamentos morfodinâmicos diferentes.
Abstract: This study shows that fluvial dynamics of the Mogi Guaçu River (NE State of São Paulo, SE Brazilian) is influenced by hydrographic basin geological structures and lithologies that sustain the river bed. These structures and lithologies affect the shape of the longitudinal profile, changing the relationships between the stream flow dynamics and sedimentary load, breaking the river into segments with different transport conditions and morphology of the channel. Longitudinal profile analysis of the Mogi Guaçu Valley and River allowed to correlate the geological structures and distribution of lithology with the anomalies in the shape of the profile. These anomalies are segments of the river located above or below the trend line of the longitudinal profile. Lithologies resistant to fluvial erosion sustain anomalies above trend line of the profile, while structures and lineaments oriented Quaternary neotectonics motions, promoting anomalies below the trend line. Meandering development analysis and pedofacies association showed two floodplains of Mogi Guaçu River with different mophodynamics behaviors. The first of them, upstream an anomaly in the shape of the profile, showed meanders migration processes concentrated exclusively in the meander belt and soils with minimum and intermediate maturity. The second, downstream another anomaly in the shape of the profile, showed meanders migration processes for the whole floodplain and soils with minimum maturity. The geological structures and lithologies promote the anomalies in the shape of the longitudinal profile of the Mogi Guaçu River through changes in the fluvial gradient, forming segments with different mophodynamics behaviors.
Doutorado
Análise Ambiental e Dinâmica Territorial
Doutor em Ciências

Few studies provide data that can document the long-term landscape evolution of the Piedmont of the southeastern United States. Here we present the results of field mapping and a soil chronosequence for fluvial terraces along a ~46 km reach of the Catawba River, NC and SC. Five terrace units (Qt1–5) have been mapped along the reach, and in certain regions a sixth surface (Qt0) was mapped. Observations of bedrock surfaces on Qt3–Qt0 confirmed that these units are strath terraces. Longitudinal profiles of terrace units constructed from mapping data revealed static channel convexities in Qt5–Qt1 in the lower reach of the study area at Landsford Canal State Park, and a lack of an obvious influence on terraces profiles within the Gold and Silver Hill shear zones in the middle reach. Age dating of terraces in this study included deriving ages based on surface height above the channel (Mills, 2000) and IRSL samples obtained from Qt3 exposures. Ages, reported in ka, are as follows: Qt0—4591 ± 404 ka, Qt1—1852 ± 365 ka, Qt2—1181 ± 194 ka, Qt3 (average of two IRSL ages)—142 ± 32 ka, Qt4—50 ± 8 ka, and Qt5—5 ± 2 ka. Up to 3 soil pits were dug on each terrace unit Qt5—Qt2, and soils described as per Birkeland (1999). Chronofunction trends of soil morphological properties include soil colors in the most developed B horizons reddening and clay films increasing in amount and prominence with surface age. Soil samples were analyzed for particle size, pedogenic iron (AAS), bulk density and major elements (XRF). Some of these analyses show expected trends with respect increasing surface age for terraces of the Catawba River, such as increases in clay content (%) and decreases in iron activity ratios in most weathered B horizons with increasing surface age. Overall the history Catawba River is one of five distinct periods of lateral planation of the valley, possibly driven by transitions to interglacial periods, punctuated by periods of incision, whose cause is currently unknown. The soil chronosequence, ages, and data derived from mapping, however, provide a strong foundation that can be used in further studies of the long-term landscape evolution of the SE Piedmont of the SE United States.

Previous works have applied the Divider Method to the shapes of drainage divides as measured from maps. This study focuses on the shapes of several drainage divides measured in the field at very fine scale. These divides, chosen for their sharp crests, include portions of the Continental Divide in Colorado and badlands-type divides in Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Texas. The badlands type divides were delineated using a laser theodolite to collect data at decimeter point spacing, and the Continental Divide segments were delineated using pace and bearing at a constant point spacing of 30 meters. A GIS was used to store and visualize the divide data, and an automated divider analysis was performed for each of the 16 drainage divides.The Richardson plots produced for each of the drainage divide datasets were visually inspected for portions of linearity. Fractal dimensions (D) were calculated using linear regression techniques for each of the linear segments identified in the Richardson plots. Six of the plots exhibited two distinct segments of linearity, nine plots exhibited one segment, and one plot exhibited no segments of linearity. Residual analyses of the trend lines show that about half of the Richardson plot segments used to calculate D exhibit slight curvature. While these segments are not strictly linear, linear models and associated D values may still serve well as approximations to describe degree of divide wandering.Most (20 out of 21) of the dimensions derived from the Richardson plots for the drainage divides fall within the range from 1.01-1.07. The D values calculated for the Continental Divide range from 1.02-1.07. The dimensions calculated for the badlandtype divides were distributed evenly across the range of 1.01-1.06, with a single exceptional D value at 1.12. Only four of the divide D values fall within a range of 1.06–1.12, the range for D established for drainage divides in published map-based studies, despite the apparent dominance of erosion processes on the measured divides.
Department of Geology

Thesis advisor: Noah P. Snyder
Substrate size and mobility are important to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) spawning and rearing success. Channel geometry is a control on bedload mobility in streams. It is believed that channel morphology in many Maine rivers has been altered by land use practices, creating wider and shallower channels, and lowering stream competence. If correct, these changes may be partially responsible for the limited number of returning salmon currently observed in Maine coastal rivers. To evaluate the magnitude of these changes, I performed a statistical comparison of channel morphology between two Atlantic coastal streams: the Narraguagus River in Downeast Maine and the Jacquet River in northern New Brunswick, Canada. Compared to the Narraguagus River, the Jacquet River has relatively healthy returns of adult salmon. Both watersheds have similar drainage areas (Narraguagus 588 km²; Jacquet 510 km²;) and mean annual precipitation (1244 mm; 1200 mm), but differing average channel gradients (0.16%; 0.51%) and longitudinal profiles. During the summer of 2007, I surveyed a 13.6-km section of the Narraguagus with a drainage area range of 129-247 km², and a 10.4-km section of the Jacquet with a drainage area range of 94-265 km². I made measurements of active and bankfull width and depth, and channel gradient at 100-m intervals, and performed grain-size counts at 200-m intervals. I also measured gradient and width in a GIS-based analysis. Results of my analysis show that channel gradient is likely the most influential factor on Atlantic salmon habitat as it relates to sediment size. The two rivers exhibit no significant difference in width-to-depth ratio, when low-gradient outliers in the Narraguagus River are removed. Predicted median riverbed grain sizes were calculated using two methods: (1) from the empirical relationship between basal shear stress and measured grain size; and (2) using the Shields parameter and remote sensing data only. Measured and predicted grain sizes reveal finer river-bed sediments on the Narraguagus River, however, Shields parameter calculations show that sediment should be mobile in both streams. I compare these predictions to field-based habitat mapping on the Narraguagus River. Based on predicted grain sizes, I expect nearly continuous Atlantic salmon spawning (28-95%) and rearing (95-100%) habitat on the Jacquet, and much less spawning (47-62%) and rearing (57-68%) habitat on the Narraguagus. This is likely because the Narraguagus River is segmented into reaches of steeper gradient (S < 0.002) with potentially good habitat, and flatter reaches (S < 0.0005) of poor habitat. The long flat reaches (several km) likely act as sediment sinks, preventing the continuity of downstream sediment transport and causing sediment to be sourced from localized glacial deposits
Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2009
Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Discipline: Geology and Geophysics