A Geotatistics Approach to Estimate Riverine Loads
Abstract
This study applies the variogram method of the geostatistics approach to time series data of sediment loading from rivers that is a function of flow and time. From time-sequenced observed data, we can obtain the information of flow change (dQ) and sediment load change (dL) at any two sampling times (dt). The relationship between load change and flow change and/or time change can be plotted as a variogram. The initial variogram plot does not show a distinct curve of a recognizable function expressing the relationship between flow and sediment load. Applying grouping/separation and feature transformation techniques, we transfer the plot into a recognizable shape of curve of an analytic function and obtain a semivariogram of dL versus dQ and/or dt. Kriging the analytic function of the semivariogram we solve the coefficients for the equation that characterizes the relationship among load and flow changes. Sediment loads for periods without sediment observations but having flow measurements are then calculated. Comparing the observed sediment loads and the corresponding flows, the simulated sediment loads are consistent with the pattens of load-flow variations. This method can reasonably simulate the hysteresis of sediment transport processes.
- Publication:
-
AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUSM.H23D..21W
- Keywords:
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- 1800 HYDROLOGY;
- 1847 Modeling;
- 1860 Streamflow;
- 1861 Sedimentation (4863);
- 1862 Sediment transport (4558)