Abstract
An important feature of overbank floodplain deposits is the spatial variability of their particle size composition. Analysis of such spatial variability can assist in developing an improved understanding of the transport and deposition of suspended sediment on river floodplains during overbank flood events, in investigating the fate of sediment-associated contaminants and in calibrating existing floodplain sediment deposition models. The study reported in this paper investigates the spatial variability of the grain size composition of overbank floodplain deposits at different spatial scales, through analysis of surface sediment samples collected from frequently inundated floodplain sites on the Rivers Culm, Stour and Severn in the UK. Significant lateral and downstream variations in the grain size composition of the sediment deposits have been documented at the study sites, and the results obtained have been interpreted in terms of the processes governing overbank floodplain flow and sediment transport and deposition, which are influenced by a number of factors including floodplain geometry and topography.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Asselman, N. E. M. and Middelkoop, H.: 1995, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 20, 481–499.
Brown, A. G.: 1983, Revue de Geomorphologie Dynamique 32, 95–99.
Droppo, I. G. and Ongley, E. D.: 1994, Water Research 28, 1799–1890.
Howard, A. D.: 1992, Lowland Floodplain Rivers: Geomorphological Perspectives (ed. by P. A. Carling and G. E. Petts), 1–41. Wiley.
James, C. S.: 1985, J. Hydraulic Res. 23, 435–452.
Lewin, J.: 1978, Progress in Physical Geography 2, 408–437.
Marriott, S.: 1992, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 17, 687–697.
Marron, D. C: 1992, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 17, 675–685.
Phillips, J. M. and Walling, D. E.: 1995, J. Marine and Fresh Water Research 46, 349–457.
Pizzuto, J. E.: 1987, Sedimentology 34, 301–317.
Rang, M. C. and Schouten, C. J.: 1989, Historical Changes of Large Alluvial Rivers: Western Europe (ed. by G. E. Petts), 127–142. Wiley.
Walling, D. E.: 1996, Arch. Hydrohil. Spec. Issues Advance. Limnol. 47, 1–27.
Walling, D. E. and Bradley, S. B.: 1989, GeoJournal 19, 53–62.
Walling, D. E. and Moorehead, P. W.: 1989, Hydrobiologia 176/177, 125–149.
Walling, D. E., He, Q. and Nicholas, A.: 1996, Floodplain Processes (ed. by M. G. Anderson, D. E. Walling and P. D. Bates), 399–440. Wiley.
Wolman, M. G. and Leopold, L. B.: 1957, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 282-C, 109pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
He, Q., Walling, D.E. (1997). Spatial Variability of the Particle Size Composition of Overbank Floodplain Deposits. In: Evans, R.D., Wisniewski, J., Wisniewski, J.R. (eds) The Interactions Between Sediments and Water. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5552-6_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5552-6_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6339-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5552-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive