Ram Mani Dahal from Leibniz University Hannover has written his MSc. Thesis in collaboration with ICWRGC on the topic: “Analysis of the global variation in river discharge-sediment transport relationship”.
He successfully defended his thesis at Leibniz University Hannover on 10 February 2021.
Suspended sediment dynamics play an important role in river morphodynamics, aquatic habitats and reservoir sedimentation. Therefore, understanding the controls and implication of suspended sediment dynamics helps in the sustainable sediment management of river systems. To date, studies on the assessment of the relation between river discharge (Q) and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) on a global scale are limited. This Master thesis aims at analysing the relationship between Q and SSC on a global scale and driving factors of variations in this SSC-Q relationship. In particular, the erosion reactivity of the rivers around the globe was compared to the catchment characteristics of the different river basins. Sediment rating curves in the form of a power law function have been used to estimate the SSC-Q relationship. The erosion reactivity of the stream was higher in the river basins located in mountainous terrains and arid rivers of North America. In contrast, the lower erosion reactivity occurred in the lowlands of Europe, North America and humid rivers of South America and Asia. Multivariate statistics showed that catchment area, relief and rainfall erosivity are most dominating controls on the river’s erosion reactivity. This study provides a better understanding of global sediment dynamics in rivers and the role that climate change may play in the future.
If you are interested in reading the master thesis, you may contact the thesis supervisor Renee van Dongen at:
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