Variability of Sediment Transport in the Scott River Catchment (Svalbard) During the Hydrologically Active Season of 2009

Abstract

Investigations of fluvial transport in the glacial river catchment (Scott River, Spitsbergen) were conducted in the melt season of 2009. A special attention was given to dynamics and distribution of bedload transport − the major component of fluvial transport in a proglacial gravel-bed river. Bed-load transport rate was determined using the River Bedload Traps (RBT) constructed for the project’s need. The obtained results indicate high diversity of bedload transport, the amount of which reached up to 220 kg m-1 day-1 for twenty-four hours in particular measurement sites. The results confirmed also great variability of local intensity fluvial processes in polar zone.

Magnitude of Fluvial Transport and Rate of Denudation in A Non-Glacierised Catchment in A Polar Zone, Central Spitsbergen

“…Measurements of the water discharge and bedload by the RBT sampler (Kociuba et al . , ) were taken in three sites: in the central part of the watercourse (at the end of the valley near Wordiekammen Massive in the upper part of the alluvial fan), in the central part of the alluvial fan, and in the lower part of the alluvial fan. Straight sections were selected for bedload measurements, where the water flows along a single channel.…”

Effect of Meteorological Patterns on the Intensity of Streambank Erosion in a Proglacial Gravel-Bed River (Spitsbergen)

“…Quasi-continuous monitoring of hydrodynamic conditions and the fluvial transport rate showed relatively low indices of sediment discharge, associated with a decrease in the supply of material from ablation of the retreating Scott Glacier [27] and an increase in the water capacity with an increase in the thickness of the active permafrost layer [31,34]. An exceptionally low rate of bedload transport in the gravel-bed river during the summer of 2009, also determined by meteorological conditions, was surprising [27][28][29]53].…”

“…The deglaciation of the valley changed the conditions of the proglacial river catchment, and consequently the intensity of fluvial processes and changes in the valley morphology [27][28][29][30][31]53]. Quasi-continuous monitoring of hydrodynamic conditions and the fluvial transport rate showed relatively low indices of sediment discharge, associated with a decrease in the supply of material from ablation of the retreating Scott Glacier [27] and an increase in the water capacity with an increase in the thickness of the active permafrost layer [31,34].…”

“…The year-to-year (2009-2013) intensity of channel processes and tendencies of development of the channel bottom morphology in both analysed cross-sections in the same period (July) remain in evident relation to the observed high seasonal variability of weather conditions [27,[29][30][31]53,55,58]. The intensity of scour processes was largely determined by the occurrence of floods, particularly of ablation-precipitation origin [27,[29][30][31]53].…”

“…The intensity of scour processes was largely determined by the occurrence of floods, particularly of ablation-precipitation origin [27,[29][30][31]53]. A detailed analysis of the effect of this type of event on channel processes was only possible for two seasons (2012 and 2013), which included detailed monitoring of changes in channel bottom morphology before and after each event.…”