No abstract

Particle aggregation modifies sediment dynamics, which is a determining factor for morphodynamic and ecological processes in deltaic plains. Here, we investigated the link between intra-annual hydrodynamics variability and flocculation in the Grijalva-Usumacinta system. Monthly (2016–2017) and seasonal (2021–2022) river data was processed using analytical methods and the simplified sonar equation. Flocs were reformed and characterized in the laboratory, validating the in situ settling velocities (0.5–3.8 mm/s) and the existence of large low-density macro-flocs (>300 μm). We verified that flocculation prevailed, exhibiting seasonal patterns; (1) the highest aggregation rates matched the increase in total suspended solids at rising-flow (>100 mg/L), (2) periods of high-flow showed stable aggregation rates, and (3) an influence of marine conditions occurred at low-flow. Particulate phosphorous and organic fraction showed seasonal patterns linked to flocculation. Due to damming, the shear rates varied slightly (7–11 L/s) in the Grijalva, leading to high flocculation intensities affecting the diffusivity ratio. In the Usumacinta, aggregation was limited by shear rates that normally exceed 15 1/s. We found seasonal Rouse parameters representative of sediment dynamics.

Determinación experimental de la rugosidad equivalente e inicio de movimiento para fondo uniforme Experimental determination of equivalent roughness and motion initiation for uniform bed

Background: The south of Mexico is the least developed part of the country but its basins generate more than 60% of the country's available water. Though disturbances to the rivers caused by development are still low, there is concern about the environmental health of the rivers. The calculation of the sediment load with a focus in fine fraction, where nutrients are found, is a priority. However, models for suspended sediment transport in large rivers are difficult to formulate because they carry a large amount of cohesive sediments, those cohesive sediments form aggregates or flocs with primary particles that are less than 65 μm. The hydrodynamic behavior of flocs depends on their size, density and shape, which differs from that of non-cohesive sediments as theirs depends on their interaction with the water column. A classical model to calculate suspended sediment concentration profiles for steady flow conditions is the Rouse equation, which has been extensively validated for non-cohesive suspended sediment. Some authors have demonstrated that when applied in some large rivers in conjunction with non-cohesive settling velocity models it does not perform very well. The difficulty comes from the fact that most of the suspended sediment charge in large rivers is constituted by cohesive sediments. Results: Suspended sediments from Mexico's two largest rivers Usumacinta and Grijalva, with a mean flow rate near river mouth of 2020 m 3 /s and 1150 m 3 /s respectively, were analyzed in a rotating annular flume (RAF). The shear velocity obtained in the field by ADCP was reproduced in the annular flume, the size and shape of flocs were obtained by means of PTV. Settling velocity was also obtained to calibrate a settling velocity model appropriate for cohesive sediments. Conclusions: The settling velocity model developed for cohesive sediments in conjunction with the Rouse equation allowed the reproduction of suspended sediment concentration profiles for the rivers Usumacinta and Grijalva. The estimated concentration profiles were compared and validated with the measured concentration profiles in the field. Thus, the model obtained through this research can be used to estimate nutrient delivery to the sea from the largest rivers in Mexico.