Erosion properties of cohesive sediments in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
River Research and Applications
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Abstract
Cohesive sediment deposits characterized by a high fraction of mud (silt plus clay) significantly affect the morphology and ecosystem of rivers. Potentially cohesive sediment samples were collected from deposits in the Colorado River in Marble and Grand Canyons. The erosion velocities of these samples were measured in a laboratory flume under varying boundary shear stresses. The non-dimensional boundary shear stress at which erosion commenced showed a systematic deviation from that of non-cohesive sediments at mud fractions greater than 0.2. An empirical relation for the boundary shear stress threshold of erosion as a function of mud fraction was proposed. The mass erosion rate was modelled using the Ariathurai-Partheniades equation. The erosion rate parameter of this equation was found to be a strong function of mud fraction. Under similar boundary shear stress and sediment supply conditions in the Colorado River, cohesive lateral eddy deposits formed of mud fractions in excess of 0.2 will erode less rapidly than non-cohesive deposits. Copyright ?? 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suggested Citation
Akahori, R., Schmeeckle, M., Topping, D., and Melis, T., 2008, Erosion properties of cohesive sediments in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon: River Research and Applications, v. 24, no. 8, p. 1160-1174, https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.1122.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Erosion properties of cohesive sediments in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon |
| Series title | River Research and Applications |
| DOI | 10.1002/rra.1122 |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Publication Date | April 22, 2008 |
| Year Published | 2008 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | River Research and Applications |
| First page | 1160 |
| Last page | 1174 |