Open-Source, Low-Cost, In-Situ Turbidity Sensor for River Network Monitoring

Fine sediment transport in rivers is important for catchment nutrient fluxes, global biogeochemical cycles, water quality and pollution in riverine, coastal and marine ecosystems. Monitoring of suspended sediment in rivers with current sensors is challenging and expensive and most monitoring setups are restricted to few single site measurements. To better understand the spatial heterogeneity of fine sediment sources and transport in river networks there is a need for new smart water turbidity sensing that is multi-site, accurate and affordable. In this work, we have created such a sensor, which detects scattered light from an LED source using two detectors in a control volume, and can be placed in a river. We compare several replicates of our sensor to different commercial turbidity probes in a mixing tank experiment using two sediment types over a wide range of typical concentrations observed in rivers. Our results show that we can achieve precise and reproducible turbidity measurements in the 0-4000 NTU or 0-16g/L range. Our sensor can also be used directly as a suspended sediment sensor and bypass an unnecessary calibration to Formazin. The developed turbidity sensor is much cheaper than existing options of comparable quality and is especially intended for distributed sensing across river networks.

Quantifying the environmental impact of a major coal mine project on the adjacent Great Barrier Reef ecosystems

A major coal mine project in Queensland, Australia, is currently under review. It is planned to be located about 10 km away from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA). Sediment dispersal patterns and their impact on marine ecosystems have not been properly assessed yet. Here, we simulate the dispersal of different sediment types with a high-resolution ocean model, and derive their environmental footprint. We show that sediments finer than 32 µm could reach dense seagrass meadows and a dugong sanctuary within a few weeks. The intense tidal circulation leads to non-isotropic and long-distance sediment dispersal patterns along the coast. Our results suggest that the sediments released by this project will not be quickly mixed but rather be concentrated where the most valuable ecosystems are located. If accepted, this coal mine could therefore have a far-reaching impact on the GBRWHA and its iconic marine species.

Technical note: Efficient imaging of hydrological units below lakes and fjords with a floating, transient electromagnetic system (FloaTEM)

Imagining geological layers beneath lakes, rivers, and shallow seawater provides detailed information critical for hydrological modelling, geologic studies, contaminant mapping, and more. However, significant engineering and interpretation challenges have limited the applications, preventing widespread adoption in aquatic environments. We have developed a towed transient electromagnetic (tTEM) system to a new, easily configurable floating, transient electromagnetic instrument (FloaTEM) capable of imaging the subsurface beneath both fresh and saltwater water bodies. Based on the terrestrial tTEM instrument, the FloaTEM system utilizes a similar philosophy of a lightweight towed transmitter with a trailing, offset receiver, pulled by a small boat. The FloaTEM system is tailored to the specific fresh or saltwater application as necessary, allowing investigations down to 100 m in freshwater environments, and up to 20 m on saline waters. Through synthetic analysis we show how the depth of investigation of the FloaTEM system greatly depends on the resistivity and thickness of the water column. The system has been successfully deployed in Denmark for a variety of hydrologic investigations, improving the ability to understand and model processes beneath water bodies. We present two freshwater applications and a saltwater application. Imaging results reveal significant heterogeneities in the sediment types below the freshwater lakes. The saline water example demonstrates that the system is capable to identify and distinguish clay and sand layers below the saline water column.

A Study on the Effect of Soil and Sediment Types on the Fugacity Based Multimedia Partitioning of a Contact Fungicide Fluopyram: An Equilibrium Quality Criterion (EQC) Level 1 Approach

Equilibrium Quality Criterion (EQC) Level I calculations have been performed with Standard Equilibrium Quality Criterion (EQC) environment to study the environmental partitioning of a fungicide Fluopyram. Equilibrium Quality Criterion (EQC) Level I calculation assumes no degradation of the chemical, steady-state, and equilibrium conditions between the environmental compartments. The results reveal that the concentration of Fluopyram is expected to be maximum in the sediment compartment, followed by soil and water compartments. The effect of soil and sediment types on partitioning has been studied by systematically varying the densities of these two compartments. In the sediment compartment, the Fluopyram concentration is predicted to be highest if the sediment type is ‘sandy’ and the soil type is ‘clay’.

Sub-Bottom Sediment Classification Using Reliable Instantaneous Frequency Calculation and Relaxation Time Estimation

The shift in IF (instantaneous frequency) series and the corresponding relaxation time have the potential to characterize sediment properties. However, these attributes derived from SBP (sub-bottom profiler) data are seldom used for offshore site investigations because of the unsoundness in attribute calculation. To overcome this problem, a new reliable method combining VMD (variational mode decomposition) and WVD (Wigner–Ville distribution), as well as relaxation time, is presented. Since the number of modes in classical VMD should be provided in advance, a modified VMD algorithm, MVMD (modified variational mode decomposition), is proposed here, where the distribution of the frequency domain of modes is taken into account to automatically determine the number of modes. Through the relaxation time model, the IF data of a series of pings calculated through MVMD-WVD are transformed into a relaxation time map. A robust estimation algorithm is applied to the relaxation time map to reduce the effects of interferences and obtain robust relaxation times. The final relaxation time data are used to determine the sediment types. Real data from SBP experiments, as well as borehole sampling and geotechnical analysis results, verified the good performance of the proposed method.

Dronar—Geoforensic Search Sonar from a Drone

Lightweight sonar devices may be tethered to an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone and quickly deployed over water for real-time imaging in 2D and the on site creation of geolocated, interactive bathymetric maps without the need for a boat. We show how such data is useful in the preliminary stages of water searches, by providing geophysicists, hydrologists and divers with spatial depth information, the distribution of dive and equipment hazards such as entanglement objects (weed, discarded items) and sediment types. One bathymetry case study location is described in detail, with a further two summarized to demonstrate reconnaissance surveys. Limitations of drone-based sonar surveys are outlined, including dense water weed cover; limits on flight times and adverse weather conditions.

Who lives where? Macrobenthic species distribution over sediment types and depth classes in the eastern North Sea

An extensive data set of macrozoobenthos from the eastern North Sea was evaluated in order to describe the distribution of infaunal species with respect to water depth and median grain size of the sediment. The resulting data are presented for 134 species, in 104 species abundance correlated significantly with water depth, with most species decreasing in abundance towards the hydrographically turbulent shallow areas. This suggests hydrography is a limiting factor for most of the species in this area while very few species only seem to favour the turbulent side of the gradient. With respect to median grain size, two thirds of the species showed significant abundance variations and one third did not. Most of the latter species were either represented by rather poor data or are known to be highly motile. Thus, true sediment generalists seem to be few. Conversely, no species was exclusively restricted to a single sediment type. Significant depth × sediment type interaction terms in a regression model indicate that abundance distribution over sediment types varied with depth level in 60% of the species, indicating that these populations were restricted to a part of their species-specific tolerated ranges in the study area. Hence, the distributional patterns over water depth and sediment types shown here represent realised niches. These data may help to locate populations and, in the light of global change, may serve as a baseline for future comparisons.

Mapping the abrasion on Sederhana Beach, Muara Gembong, Bekasi, West Java province for the coastal mitigation purpose

Sederhana Beach is located in the waters of Muara Gembong, Bekasi Regency, West Java Province, northeast part of Jakarta Bay. The observation data in 2018 showed the morphology of the damaged coast and the massive fallen mangrove vegetation. Loss of land and mangrove populations has a major impact on the economic and environmental aspect. How to mitigate the impact of abrasion? This study aims to map the type of sediment, sediment distribution and its depositional environment, to obtain a correlation with the type and direction of currents causing abrasion. The results would become the base for determining the appropriate actions to overcome further abrasion, in an integrated coastal area planning program. Seabed sediments were taken using a grab sampler, megascopic descriptions and analysis of the depositional environment off sediments were held on site. The results are plotted onto a map, to determine the distribution of sediments. Sediment types found are: coarse sand, clay, sandy clay, medium-fine sand, and silt. 75% of the study area is: scattered sandy clay, mostly covering the coastline to the north. This is a common phenomenon because the mainland of research location is dominated by mangrove vegetation. The Coarse sand took 20% of the research location. An interesting phenomenon is: the coarse sand reaches the coast directly adjacent to the mangroves, where 5% of silt is found outside this coarse sand zone. The presence of coarse sand on the shoreline with mangrove vegetation indicates that the main current that triggers abrasion is longshore current, moving parallel to the coastline, namely northeast - southwest. So, the recommended steps that can be taken in mitigating further abrasion at Sederhana Beach is the construction of a current breaking structure that is perpendicular to the coast line

LITHOLOGY AND HYDRODYNAMICS OF THE BLACK SEA ODESSA COAST UNDERWATER PART

Problem Statement and Purpose. The results of lithological studies, including granulometric analysis, are needed to identify the conditions of sedimentation and distribution of rock fragments by size. They are an indicator of the sedimentation processes dynamic structure peculiarities. The study of the sediment regime is important for the development of measures related to the protection of shores from erosion. The aim of the work is to identify the lithological features of the bottom sediment types distribution on the protected section of the Odessa coast near Cape Maly Fontan. Data & Methods. The materials for this work were obtained in the field research in the summer 2019 in the coastal zone between the hydrobiological station of Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University, and Cape Malyj Fountain. Three measuring profiles were made perpendicular to the shoreline at 1200 m towards the sea to a depth of 18 m. 35 samples were taken from the upper layer of bottom sediments. Field samples processing was performed in the Problem Research Laboratory of Engineering Geology of the Sea Coast, Reservoirs and Mountain Slopes of Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University. Granulometric classification was performed. Excel, Statistica, Golden Software Surfer programs were used to process the results. Results. Underwater relief analysis showed that the coastal part is an abrasive terrace, on which ancient landslides relics are widespread. There are 7 main lithological types of bottom sediments detected. The largest areas covered by fine-grained loamy sands and shell detritus with gravel, pebbles and sand. Analysis of distribution curves and cumulative curves of granulometric distribution showed that coarse sediments are characterized by multi-vertex distribution curves and stepwise stretched cumulative curves, which indicates the heterogeneity of sediments in granulometric distribution. For fine-grained material, which is well sorted, the distribution curves are almost single-vertex, and the cumulative curves have a large steepness and a simple, non-stepped shape. There are three hydrodynamic detected in bottom sediments lithology according on statistical parameters of grain size. Outer marine part with depth more than 15 meters characterized by low hydrodynamic processes and presented by good-sorted sands and silt. The central part of polygon in 4–15 meters depth covered by shell detritus with gravel and pebble of carbonate rocks and connected with rocky extrusions after coastal landslides. The feature of this part is active hydrodynamic processes. The rocky extrusions presented like natural breakwater and due to waves braking and collection of different types of sediments. The coastal part in 2–4 m depth in front of constructed breakwater leads to decreasing of wave energy and sedimentation of good-sorted sands.

Submergence of the Western Greco-Roman Archaeological Site at the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria: Emerged from High Resolution Geophysical Mapping

Marine geophysical surveys were carried out at the underwater site in the south-western sector of the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria, opposite to the Egyptian Sea Scout Club. Survey works aimed to detect and study the surface and subsurface geomorphological changes caused by historic sea-level rise and natural hazards, by integrating the results of high-resolution geophysical mapping for the seafloor textures and the subsurface layers with previously published core data and sea-level records, the survey works employed echo-sounder, side scan sonar, and sub-bottom profiler. Acoustic data were ground-truthed using an ROV camera and sediment grab sampler. Results of bathymetric mapping and sonar imaging outlined two breakwaters and quay corresponding to a submerged ancient port; also, sediment types were classified according to variation in the magnitude of the backscattered intensities. Interpretation of sub-bottom profiles illustrated the depositional sequence of the topmost sedimentary layers where the sediment thicknesses were thickened by rates that perfectly matched with the recorded sea-level rise rate during the last two millennia, as indicated by isopach maps. Anthropogenic activities were noticed in particular outcropping areas on the sub-bottom profiles. The results explained the role of natural hazards and sea-level rise in changing the geomorphology of the coastline and seabed features.