Continuous measurement of suspended-sediment discharge in rivers by use of optical backscatterance sensors
IAHS Red Book
Edited by: J. Bogen, T. Fergus, and D. Walling
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Abstract
Optical sensors have been used to measure turbidity and suspended-sediment concentration by many marine and estuarine studies, and optical sensors can provide automated, continuous time series of suspended-sediment concentration and discharge in rivers. Three potential problems with using optical sensors are biological fouling, particle-size variability, and particle-reflectivity variability. Despite varying particle size, output from an optical backscatterance sensor in the Sacramento River at Freeport, California, USA, was calibrated successfully to discharge-weighted, cross-sectionally averaged suspended-sediment concentration, which was measured with the equal discharge-, or width-increment, methods and an isokinetic sampler. A correction for sensor drift was applied to the 3-year time series. However, the calibration of an optical backscatterance sensor used in the Colorado River at Cisco, Utah, USA, was affected by particle-size variability. The adjusted time series at Freeport was used to calculate hourly suspended-sediment discharge that compared well with daily values from a sediment station at Freeport. The appropriateness of using optical sensors in rivers should be evaluated on a site-specific basis and measurement objectives, potential particle size effects, and potential fouling should be considered.
Suggested Citation
Schoellhamer, D., Wright, S., 2003, Continuous measurement of suspended-sediment discharge in rivers by use of optical backscatterance sensors, in Erosion and sediment transport measurement in rivers: Technological and methodological advances, no. 283, Oslo, Norway, 19-21 June, 2002, p. 28-36.
Study Area
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Continuous measurement of suspended-sediment discharge in rivers by use of optical backscatterance sensors |
| Series title | IAHS Red Book |
| Issue | 283 |
| Year Published | 2003 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | International Association for Hydrological Science |
| Description | 9 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference publication |
| Larger Work Title | Erosion and sediment transport measurement in rivers: Technological and methodological advances |
| First page | 28 |
| Last page | 36 |
| Conference Title | Erosion Sediment Transport Measurement in Rivers: Techlogical and Methodological Advances |
| Conference Location | Oslo, Norway |
| Conference Date | 19-21 June, 2002 |
| Country | United States |
| State | California, Utah |
| City | Cisco, Freeport |
| Other Geospatial | Colorado River, Sacramento River |