Measurement of sediment deposition rates using an optical backscatter sensor

Ridd, P., Day, G., Thomas, S., Harradence, J., Fox, D., Bunt, J., Renagi, O., and Jago, C. (2001) Measurement of sediment deposition rates using an optical backscatter sensor. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science , 52 (2). pp. 155-163.

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Abstract

An optical method for measuring siltation of sediment has been developed using an optical fibre backscatter (OBS) nephelometer. Sediment settling upon the optical fibre sensor causes an increase in the backscatter reading which can be related to the settled sediment surface density (SSSD) as measured in units of mg cm−2. Calibration and laboratory tests indicate that the resolution of measurements of SSSD is 0·01 mg cm−2and an accuracy of 5% in still water. In moving water it is more difficult to determine the accuracy of the method because other methods with suitable resolution are unavailable. However, indirect methods using measurements of changing suspended sediment concentration in a ring flume, indicate that the OBS method under-predicts deposition. The series of siltation from three field sites are presented. This sensor offers considerable advances over other methods of measuring settling because time series of settling may be taken and thus settling events may be related to other hydrodynamic parameters such as wave climate and currents.

Item ID: 13195
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1096-0015
Keywords: deposition; mudflats; optical backscatter; sediment
Date Deposited: 30 Jul 2012 01:40
FoR Codes: 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0405 Oceanography > 040503 Physical Oceanography @ 51%
02 PHYSICAL SCIENCES > 0299 Other Physical Sciences > 029904 Synchrotrons; Accelerators; Instruments and Techniques @ 49%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960999 Land and Water Management of Environments not elsewhere classified @ 51%
97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970102 Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences @ 49%
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