Anatomy of an Alpine Bedload Transport Event: A Watershed‐Scale Seismic‐Network Perspective

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Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_47CAD3B53251
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Anatomy of an Alpine Bedload Transport Event: A Watershed‐Scale Seismic‐Network Perspective
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface
Author(s)
Antoniazza Gilles, Dietze Michael, Mancini Davide, Turowski Jens M., Rickenmann Dieter, Nicollier Tobias, Boss Stefan, Lane Stuart N.
ISSN
2169-9003
2169-9011
Publication state
Published
Issued date
08/2023
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
128
Number
8
Language
english
Abstract
The way Alpine rivers mobilize, convey and store coarse material during high-magnitude events is poorly understood, notably because it is difficult to obtain measurements of bedload transport at the watershed scale. Seismic sensor data, evaluated with appropriate seismic physical models, can provide that missing link by yielding time-varying estimates of bedload transport albeit with non-negligible uncertainty. Low cost and ease of installation allow for networks of sensors to be deployed, providing continuous, watershed-scale insights into bedload transport dynamics. Here, we deploy a network of 24 seismic sensors to estimate coarse material fluxes in a 13.4 km2 Alpine watershed during a high-magnitude transport event. First, we benchmark the seismic inversion routine with an independent time-series of bedload transport obtained with a calibrated acoustic system. Then, we apply the procedure to the other seismic sensors across the watershed. Propagation velocities derived from cross-correlation analysis between spatially consecutive bedload transport time-series were too high with respect to typical bedload transport velocity suggesting that a faster-moving water wave (re-)mobilizes local coarse material. Spatially distributed estimates of bedload transport reveal a relative inefficiency of Alpine watersheds in evacuating coarse material, even during a relatively infrequent high-magnitude bedload transport event. Significant inputs estimated for some tributaries were rapidly attenuated as the main river crossed less hydraulically efficient reaches. Only a small proportion of the total amount of material mobilized in the watershed was exported at the outlet. Multiple periods of competent flows are likely necessary to evacuate coarse material mobilized throughout the watershed during individual bedload transport events.
Keywords
bedload transport, environmental seismology, Swiss plate geophone system (SPG), coarse material flux, Alpine watershed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
06/09/2023 16:11
Last modification date
27/09/2023 6:58
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