Abstract
Numerous studies have shown how selected physico-chemical
properties of sediments may be used as tracers to identify catchment sediment
sources. Sediment fingerprinting has value in elucidating the linkages between
erosion and downstream sediment delivery and potentially offers the opportunity
to validate deterministic erosion models. However, quantitative fingerprinting
is subject to considerable uncertainty throughout the research process, i.e. the
inherent variability of source group properties, the number and distinctiveness
of source groups, the relative discriminating power of different tracers,
numerical issues associated with the un-mixing models, and further complications associated with nonlinear additivity, tracer transformation and enrichment.
A Bayesian statistical framework was employed to assess two of the sampling
issues using laboratory-based and synthetic data sets. The analysis shows source
group contributions can be robustly derived, but source group variability and
number of samples collected are key issues influencing performance
properties of sediments may be used as tracers to identify catchment sediment
sources. Sediment fingerprinting has value in elucidating the linkages between
erosion and downstream sediment delivery and potentially offers the opportunity
to validate deterministic erosion models. However, quantitative fingerprinting
is subject to considerable uncertainty throughout the research process, i.e. the
inherent variability of source group properties, the number and distinctiveness
of source groups, the relative discriminating power of different tracers,
numerical issues associated with the un-mixing models, and further complications associated with nonlinear additivity, tracer transformation and enrichment.
A Bayesian statistical framework was employed to assess two of the sampling
issues using laboratory-based and synthetic data sets. The analysis shows source
group contributions can be robustly derived, but source group variability and
number of samples collected are key issues influencing performance
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Structure Function and Management Implications of Fluvial Sedimentary Systems |
| Editors | Fiona J. Dyer, Martin C. Thoms, Jon M. Olley |
| Place of Publication | Wallingford |
| Publisher | International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) |
| Pages | 443-450 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-901502-96-1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
Publication series
| Name | IAHS Publications |
|---|---|
| Number | 276 |