Detailed assessment of spatial and temporal variations in river channel changes and meander evolution as a preliminary work for effective floodplain management. The example of Sajó River, Hungary

Buró

et al. 2020

Water

Self Cite

The spatial complexity of floodplains is a function of several processes: hydrodynamics, flow direction, sediment transportation, and land use. Sediments can bind toxic elements, and as there are several pollution sources, the risk of heavy metal accumulation on the floodplains is high. We aimed to determine whether fluvial forms have a role in metal accumulations. Topsoil samples were taken from point bars and swales in the floodplain of the Tisza River, North-East Hungary. Soil properties and metal concentrations were determined, and correlation and hypothesis testing were applied. The results showed that fluvial forms are important drivers of horizontal metal patterns: there were significant differences (p < 0.05) between point bars and swales regarding Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Vertical distribution also differed significantly by fluvial forms: swales had higher metal concentrations in all layers. General Linear Models had different results for macro and micro elements: macro element concentrations were determined by the organic matter, while for micro elements the clay content and the forms were significant explanatory variables. These findings are important for land managers and farmers because heavy metal concentration has a direct impact on living organisms, and the risk of bioaccumulation can be high on floodplains.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geomorphology as a Driver of Heavy Metal Accumulation Patterns in a Floodplain

Buró

et al. 2020

Water

Self Cite

“…Bank erosion is responsible, along with bank accretion, for the migration and growth of river meanders [4]. The factors driving channel migration include human activities, water conservancy projects, and changing climate [5][6][7]. The excessive intensity of the factors may destroy the stability of the river system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal Evolution Trajectory of Channel Morphology and Controlling Factors of Yongding River, Beijing, China

et al. 2021

Water

It is necessary to understand the evolution of a river channel when reconstructing its evolution process and analyzing the controlling factors essential for river management and ecological restoration. In the past 50 years, the ecological environment around the Yongding River has deteriorated considerably, and the downstream has been completely cut off. Despite this, few have studied its morphology. In this study, we analyze the morphology of the Yongding River (Beijing, China) stretching for 92 km in four different periods between 1964 and 2018. A data treatment is carried out based on GIS, and the morphological evolution trajectory of the river channel at the overall and reach scales is reconstructed. The results show that the river morphology has undergone significant changes: the channel width has narrowed by 31%, and the temporal and spatial patterns show significant differences. By analyzing the impacts of human activities and climate change in various periods, we find human intervention to be the most important controlling factor. Based on our results, we proposed a set of river restoration strategies and protection measures for the Yongding River to guide watershed management and land planning.

“…The main purpose of this research was to present two automotive grade radar sensors and their usability in scientific research related to earth surface processes and landforms. Even if these sensors do not provide imaging data such as classical remote sensing synthetic-aperture radar applications, the efficient development of this new system would allow improving the detection of gullies and rills [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], forecasting of landslides, flash floods [ 38 , 39 ], river evolution [ 40 , 41 ], and aeolian processes [ 42 , 43 ]. Furthermore, the impacts on land-use changes [ 44 , 45 , 46 ] due to the interaction between the microwave signal and different microwave absorbing materials in the soil can be evaluated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automotive Radar in a UAV to Assess Earth Surface Processes and Land Responses

Weber

Eichel-Streiber

Rodrigo‐Comino

et al. 2020

Sensors

Self Cite

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in earth science research has drastically increased during the last decade. The reason being innumerable advantages to detecting and monitoring various environmental processes before and after certain events such as rain, wind, flood, etc. or to assess the current status of specific landforms such as gullies, rills, or ravines. The UAV equipped sensors are a key part to success. Besides commonly used sensors such as cameras, radar sensors are another possibility. They are less known for this application, but already well established in research. A vast number of research projects use professional radars, but they are expensive and difficult to handle. Therefore, the use of low-cost radar sensors is becoming more relevant. In this article, to make the usage of radar simpler and more efficient, we developed with automotive radar technology. We introduce basic radar techniques and present two radar sensors with their specifications. To record the radar data, we developed a system with an integrated camera and sensors. The weight of the whole system is about 315 g for the small radar and 450 g for the large one. The whole system was integrated into a UAV and test flights were performed. After that, several flights were carried out, to verify the system with both radar sensors. Thereby, the records provide an insight into the radar data. We demonstrated that the recording system works and the radar sensors are suitable for the usage in a UAV and future earth science research because of its autonomy, precision, and lightweight.