Dans les bassins versants abrupts de montagne, de larges quantités de sédiments provenant des pentes escarpées viennent se déposer dans la partie supérieure des torrents et sont remobilisées par les laves torrentielles ou par charriage. Le but de ce travail était d'étudier le transport des sédiments grossiers dans les petits bassins versants torrentiels et d’analyser l’influence du stockage de ces sédiments dans le chenal sur les laves torrentielles. Cela a requis sur le terrain une intense surveillance géomorphologique des événements d'écoulement dans les bassins versants des torrents du Manival et du Réal, susceptibles de produire des laves torrentielles et du transport solide par charriage chaque année.Le bilan sédimentaire du Manival a été réalisé grâce à des mesures topographiques répétées entre les événements importants d’écoulements (sections transversales et relevés au scan laser terrestre). Deux évènements de laves torrentielles et plusieurs évènements de charriage ont été observés. La reconstitution de leur budget sédimentaire a révélé que la majeure partie de leurs volumes a été apportée par l'érosion du chenal. Les évènements de charriage de l’automne ont contribué à la recharge sédimentaire du chenal principal par le dépôt de grands bancs de gravier. Ce processus est fondamental au déclenchement de laves torrentielles lors des printemps et été suivants. Un décalage dans le temps des séquences érosion /dépôt a été observé entre les parties supérieure et inférieure du chenal, révélant un transfert discontinu de sédiments dans le bassin versant. Un modèle conceptuel de transfert des sédiments est proposé pour les différentes magnitudes d’écoulement.Dans le Réal, le volume de sédiment transporté est similaire à celui du Manival avec une augmentation importante du volume dans le chenal. La plus importante lave torrentielle observée a révélé une diminution en aval des hauteurs d'écoulement maximales, des contraintes de cisaillement, de la vitesse et de la résistance à l'écoulement. Cela suggère que le front de la lave torrentielle érode et déstabilise le chenal, mais qu’il ne peut pas transporter les matériaux en raison de sa concentration élevée en sédiments. La vague hyperconcentrée qui suit se charge des matériaux restants, croît en volume et fusionne avec la lave torrentielle en décélération. Le front et les vagues suivantes jouent un rôle essentiel pour l'érosion lors d'un événement de lave torrentielle.Les laves torrentielles ont créé une érosion significative à la variabilité spatiale importante alors que les déformations du lit induites par le charriage sont en équilibre. L’érosion du chenal par les laves torrentielles est contrôlée étroitement par la pente en amont et les conditions de stockage des sédiments et peut être prédite par une relation logarithmique. Les matériaux les plus sensibles à l'érosion dans le Manival sont les bancs de gravier non consolidés formés par le charriage. Ils constituent une surface lisse au sein du chenal rugueux qui peut être automatiquement cartographiée à partir de données de laser scan terrestre ou aérien. Ceci fournit une évaluation des zones sensibles à l'érosion dans un chenal au moment du relevé au scan laser.Cette étude a permis d’alimenter le domaine des laves torrentielles en observations quantitatives sur le terrain. Des bases de données détaillées ont été obtenues par l'intégration de multiples relevés des différentes sections transversales, des nombreux balayages laser et des données des stations de mesure à haute fréquence. Les mesures de transfert de sédiments, des interactions/contrôles dans le chenal, de la dynamique des laves torrentielles. La caractérisation des stockages dans ces bassins différents fournit une base solide pour le développement de modèles conceptuels et statistiques. Ces observations ont également mis en évidence les paramètres importants à mesurer sur le terrain qui ont une influence sur les laves torrentielles. / Steep mountain catchments typically experience large sediment pulses from hillslopes which are stored in headwater channels and remobilized by debris-flows or bedload transport. The purpose of this research was to investigate the coarse sediment transport through steep catchments and how channel storage can influence debris-flows. This required intensive field-based geomorphic monitoring of flow events in the Manival and Réal torrent catchments which can experience debris-flows and bedload transport every year.In the Manival Torrent, the sediment transfers were characterized at a seasonal time scale by a complete sediment budget of the catchment derived from multi-date topographic measurements between important flow events (cross-section surveying and terrestrial laser scanning). Sediment budget reconstitution of two debris-flows revealed that most of their volumes were supplied by channel scouring (more than 92%). Bedload transport during autumn contributed to the sediment recharge of high-order channels by the deposition of large gravel wedges. This process is recognized as being fundamental for debris-flow occurrence during the subsequent spring and summer. A time shift of scour-and-fill sequences was observed between low- and high-order channels, revealing the discontinuous sediment transfer in the catchment during common flow events. A conceptual model of sediment routing for different event magnitudes is proposed.In the Réal Torrent, post-event surveying and high-frequency monitoring stations were used to compare and compile measurements of flow events. Three debris-flow events and three periods of bedload transport with small headwater debris-flows were observed. Sediment transport volumes for debris-flows were very similar to the Manival with important volume growth in the channel. The largest observed debris-flow revealed a downstream decrease of maximum flow heights, shear stress, velocity, and flow resistance. We hypothesize that the debris-flow front scours and destabilizes the channel, but it cannot transport the material because of its high sediment concentration. Therefore, the trailing hyperconcentrated surge picks up the remaining material, grows in volume, and coalesces with the decelerating debris-flow. Both the front and following surges play an integral role for net erosion during a debris-flow event.Multi-date cross-sections in the Manival and Réal have shown that debris-flows have significant scouring with large spatial variability. Bedload transport was observed to be at equilibrium with little variability. Field observations of channel deformations show that debris-flow scouring is strongly controlled by upstream slope and storage conditions. A logarithmic relationship is proposed as an empirical fit for the prediction of channel erosion. The most susceptible materials for erosion in the Manival are the unconsolidated gravel wedges developed from bedload transport. This material has a smooth surface within the rugged channel which can be automatically mapped with a 20 cm digital elevation model from either terrestrial or airborne laser scans by calculating roughness with a one meter window. This provides an automatic assessment of erodible areas in a channel at the time of the laser scan survey.This study has contributed to the need of quantitative field observations in the realm of debris-flow research. Complete and thorough databases were obtained by integrating multi-date cross-section surveys, multi-date laser scans, and high-frequency monitoring stations. Quantified evidence revealing sediment transfers, channel interactions/controls, debris-flow dynamics, and storage characterizations in two different catchments provides a strong basis in the development of conceptual and statistical models. These observations also highlighted the significant field parameters that have an influence on debris-flows and steep catchment systems.

L'analyse des variations spatio-temporelles du charriage est un élément important pour la compréhension de la dynamique fluviale. Ce manuscrit présente les recherches réalisées sur le développement d'une méthode de mesure du transport solide par acoustique passive. Un capteur de pression acoustique est utilisé pour mesurer le bruit généré par le transport par charriage au fond du lit de la rivière. Cette méthode originale a fait l'objet de quelques explorations durant les dernières décennies, qui ont montré que la puissance et le contenu fréquentiel du son généré dépendaient de la granulométrie des matériaux et du flux solide. Mais les applications au milieu naturel sont restées très limitées ; elles sont donc au centre de cette recherche.La première difficulté de la mesure est liée à l'existence de bruit environnant qui se superpose au bruit du charriage. Des mesures acoustiques ont été réalisées dans différentes typologie de rivières, du torrent à la grande rivière navigable. A l'aide de ces différentes expériences et de la bibliographie, les éléments du paysage acoustique d'une rivière sont identifiés. Le paysage acoustique d'une rivière est composé par les processus hydrodynamiques que sont la turbulence, l'agitation de surface et le transport de sédiment par charriage. Le charriage produit des bruits larges bandes, dans la partie haute du spectre et peut être masqué par les bruits de surface dans la région du kilohertz. Des outils de traitement du signal sont proposés afin de repérer les différentes dynamiques contenues dans le signal acoustique mesuré.L'interprétation du signal ne peut être faite sans une bonne compréhension des phénomènes de propagation des ondes acoustiques dans la rivière. On montre que la rivière se comporte comme un guide d'onde et une résolution de l'équation d'onde par une approche modale est proposée. On comprend alors que la propagation des ondes acoustiques est limitée par une fréquence de coupure inversement proportionnelle à la hauteur d'eau. Les observations de terrain faites sur la variation du champ de pression acoustique dans la verticale sont bien reproduites par le modèle d'un guide d'onde de Pekeris. Le modèle est alors utilisé pour montrer l'importance de la profondeur, de la constitution du fond de la rivière ou encore de la géométrie du canal sur la constitution du signal.Finalement, trois chroniques de signaux acoustiques enregistrés dans des rivières différentes sont analysées. Un descripteur est proposé pour chaque chronique de signaux, en fonction des bruits ambiants présents dans l'environnement lors de la mesure. Ce descripteur acoustique est confronté à des mesures comparatives du charriage et de bonnes corrélations sont observée. Elles montrent que la mesure hydrophone permet d'identifier la phase de l'initiation du transport par charriage et qu'elle est intégrative du transport sur une surface importante de la rivière. Ces expériences confirment la simplicité de mise en œuvre de la méthode et précisent les limites d'utilisation de l'acoustique passive, particulièrement pour les rivières à fortes pentes. Elles confirment également la validité des méthodes d'analyse du signal qui ont été utilisées et le besoin de mesures comparatives du milieu pour interpréter le signal. / Analysing the spatio-temporal variability of solid transport processes is key to the study of fluvial morphodynamics. Our research focusses on the development of passive acoustics to monitor bedload transport. A hydrophone is used to sense the acoustic pressure in the river in order to record the sound generated by inter-particle collisions. This original method has been mostly developed in laboratories during the past decades. It has been shown that the acoustic power and the frequencies of the monitored signals are linked to bedload fluxes and granulometry. The use of passive acoustics in natural streams has encountered limited success. It is the core of our research.First we address the existence of multiple sound sources in the environment. Acoustic measurements have been realised in several types of rivers: steep channels and large gravel bed rivers. These multiple experiences along with the bibliography have allowed us to describe river soundscapes. Hydrodynamics govern the soundscape, namely turbulence, agitating surfaces, and bedload transport. Inter-particle collisions generate sound in a wide range of frequencies, which depend on their sizes. It can be masked by the occurrence of agitating surface noise in the kilohertz region. Signal processing tools are proposed to study the dynamics of the different processes composing the signal.Signal interpretation could only be achieved by understanding the propagation properties of the acoustic waves in the river. It is shown that the river acts as an acoustic wave guide. A modal approach is suggested to solve the wave equation. The model points to the existence of a cutoff frequency inversely proportional to the water depth. Observations made on the vertical variation of the field pressure are correctly simulated. The signal dependence on water depth, the structure of the bed, and the geometry of the channel are studied using this model.Finally, we analyze three chronicles of acoustic signals recorded in the field. A signal descriptor is constructed for each data set, depending on the ambient noise conditions. This descriptor is compared to other measurements of bedload transport and good correlations are found. Initiation of motion is monitored and the integrative aspect of the acoustic measure is shown. These experiences highlight the simplicity of the method and show some of its limits. It is also shown that measurements of other environmental parameters are needed to interpret the results.

Submitted by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-04-08T19:47:07Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Monitoramento hidrossedimentológico numa bacia hidrográfica do escudo sul-rio-grandense.pdf: 3298608 bytes, checksum: 197f42a8c4f63d0217bc52c6db4902f1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-04-08T19:47:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Monitoramento hidrossedimentológico numa bacia hidrográfica do escudo sul-rio-grandense.pdf: 3298608 bytes, checksum: 197f42a8c4f63d0217bc52c6db4902f1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-04-08T19:47:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Monitoramento hidrossedimentológico numa bacia hidrográfica do escudo sul-rio-grandense.pdf: 3298608 bytes, checksum: 197f42a8c4f63d0217bc52c6db4902f1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-08T19:47:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Monitoramento hidrossedimentológico numa bacia hidrográfica do escudo sul-rio-grandense.pdf: 3298608 bytes, checksum: 197f42a8c4f63d0217bc52c6db4902f1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / A construção e uso de redes de monitoramento hidrossedimentológicas, são extremamente importantes para compreensão da dinâmica dos fenômenos envolvidos, chuva, vazão e produção de sedimentos. O monitoramento hidrossedimentológico realizado para descrever e compreender o transporte e a produção de sedimentos em uma bacia hidrográfica. Assim o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar relações entre os processos hidrossedimentológicos numa bacia hidrográfica rural, utilizando técnicas de monitoramento. O trabalho foi realizado na bacia hidrográfica do Arroio do Ouro, localizada entre os municípios de Pelotas e Morro Redondo/RS, com área de 17,17km2, elevação média de 194 metros, predominância de relevo ondulado. Os usos predominantes do solo são das atividades desenvolvidas em pequenas propriedades familiares, observando-se o cultivo de espécies como pêssego, milho e tabaco, além de atividades de pecuária leiteira e avicultura. O monitoramento hidrossedimentológico contínuo teve início em 2014, com sensores de precipitação (pluviógrafos), sensor de pressão (nível) e sensor de turbidez (turbidímetro). Durante o período de monitoramento de 6 meses (abril a outubro de 2014) foram monitorados 13 eventos de precipitação, com diferentes características e em diferentes condições de uso e manejo do solo. Os resultados demonstram que a produção de sedimento tem relação direta com a magnitude dos eventos de precipitação, na qual um evento extremo foi responsável pelo transporte de 1.335,58 toneladas de sedimento, correspondendo a 59,4% da produção total de sedimentos de todos os eventos monitorados. O sedimento transportado em arraste representou de 9 a 43,8% do total de sedimento transportado, destacando sua importância do transporte em arraste no Arroio do Ouro. O laço de histerese não apresentou predominância em um único sentido, observando-se eventos com sentido horário e anti-horário. No entanto os eventos que apresentaram histerese anti-horária foram caracterizados por serem de pequena magnitude, nestes eventos é possível que ocorra a deposição de sedimento na calha fluvial, limitados ao transporte de sedimento proveniente de áreas mais distantes como é o característico deste tipo de histerese. / The construction and the use of hydrosedimentological monitoring networks, are extremely important for the comprehension of the dynamics of phenomena involved, e.g. rain, discharge and sediment production. The hydrosedimentological monitoring is realized to describe and understand the transport and production of sediment in one catchment. Therefore the objective of this work was to analyze the relationship between the hydrosedimentological processes in one rural catchment, using monitoring techniques. This work was developed in the Arroio do Ouro catchment, situated between Pelotas and Morro Redondo/RS, with a drainage area of 17,27km², with average elevation of 194 meters, and undulating relief predominant. The soil uses are destined to activities in small farms, observing the cultivate of peach, corn and tobacco, apart from activities of livestock milk and aviculture. The continuous hydrosedimentological monitoring began in the beginning of 2014, with precipitation sensors (rain gauges), pressure sensors (pressure-sensing limnograph), and turbidity sensors (turbidity meter).During the 6-month monitoring period (April to October, 2014) 13 precipitation events were monitored, with different features and different condition of use and management. The results demonstrate that the sediment production has a direct relation with the magnitude of the precipitation events, in which one of these events was responsible for the transport of 1335,58 tons of sediment, corresponding to 59,4% of the total production of sediments of the all monitoring events. The bedload transported represented from 9 to 43,8% of the total of sediment rate, highlighting the importance of the total bedload in Arroio do Ouro. The hysteretic loops did not produce predominance of one type of way, presenting clockwise and counter-clockwise events. However, the events which presented counter-clockwise hysteretic loops were characterized by the lower magnitude. In these events it is possible the occurence of sediment deposition in the river channel, limited to transport of sediment from more distant areas, as it is typical in this type of hysteretic loops.

Le transport par charriage reste un phénomène mal compris en raison notamment de la polydispersité des particules et de la ségrégation résultante. Nous avons mené une étude expérimentale à l'échelle de la particule dans le but de comparer le mouvement de billes de verre sphériques de 4~mm et 6~mm et d'analyser la ségrégation de mélanges de deux tailles. Les particules sont entraînées dans un mouvement quasi-bidimensionnel par un écoulement turbulent et supercritique dans un canal à forte pente sur un lit mobile sous des conditions d'équilibre de charriage. Les écoulements ont été filmés sur le côté et analysés par traitement d'image afin de déterminer les trajectoires des particules, leur état de mouvement (arrêt, roulement, saltation) et la hauteur d'eau. Alors que les billes de 6~mm des cas unimodaux sont principalement en roulement, la saltation est prédominante pour les billes de 4~mm et les billes du mélange. Nos données monodisperses supportent le modèle d'érosion-dépôt de cite{Char06}. Les profils de vitesse présentent trois zones (exponentielle, linéaire, logarithmique). De même que les profils de concentration, ils ont des similitudes avec les profils en charriage côtier et en écoulement granulaire sec. Nos expériences bidisperses ont révélé un phénomène de ségrégation assimilable au processus de "kinetic sieving". / Bedload transport remains poorly understood partly due to the polydispersity of particles and resulting segregation. Experiments were carried out at the particle scale to compare the motion of spherical 4~mm and 6~mm glass beads and to analyze the segregation of two-size mixtures. Particles were entrained by a turbulent supercritical flow down a steep two-dimensional channel with a mobile bed under bedload equilibrium conditions. Flows were filmed from the side and analyzed by image processing to determine the particle trajectories, their state of motion (rest, rolling, saltation), and flow depth. Contrasting with the 6~mm uniform case where rolling was frequent, saltation was dominant for 4~mm beads and the two-size mixtures. Our one-size data support the erosion-deposition model of cite{Char06}. The velocity profiles exhibit three segments (exponential, linear, logarithmic). As well as concentration profiles, they are similar to profiles in sheet flows and dry granular flows. Our two-size experiments also revealed a phenomenon of segregation comparable to the kinetic sieving process.

Le transport de sédiments en rivières et torrents reste un phénomène mal compris en raison de la polydispersité des particules et de la ségrégation résultante. Il a été mené une étude expérimentale sur un canal permettant d’étudier la ségrégation en charriage d’un mélange de deux classes de billes. Le déplacement collectif des billes est enregistré sous la forme de séquences vidéos. Cette thèse traite des méthodes de traitement d’images développées pour analyser les données obtenues. Premièrement, nous avons développé une méthode de segmentation d’images pour étudier l’influence de l’infiltration de particules fines sur l’évolution d’un lit mobile. Avec cette méthode d’analyse, une étude expérimentale a permis de montrer que l’évolution de la pente du lit présente une décroissance exponentielle. Deuxièmement, nous avons optimisé les algorithmes déterministes de suivi de particules pour permettre l’étude des trajectoires sur l’intégralité du phénomène de ségrégation, ce qui n’était pas possible dans les travaux précédemment effectués à Irstea. Nous avons de plus mis en place des mesures d’évaluation et conçu des vérités terrains afin d’apprécier la qualité des résultats. Des gains de temps, cohérence, précision et mémoire ont été quantifiés. Troisièmement, nous avons développé un nouvel algorithme basé sur le filtrage particulaire à modèles multiples pour mieux gérer les dynamiques complexes des particules et gagner en robustesse. Cette approche permet de prendre en compte les erreurs du détecteur, les corriger et ainsi éviter des difficultés lors du suivi de trajectoires que nous rencontrons notamment avec l’algorithme déterministe / Sediment transport in rivers and mountain streams remains poorly understood partly due to the polydispersity of particles and resulting segregation. Experiments in a channel were carried out to study bedload transport of bimodal bead mixtures. The behavior of the beads is recorded through video sequences. This work is about the development of image processing methods to analyse the obtained data. Firstly, we developed a method of image segmentation to study the infiltration of fine particles and its influence on the evolution of bed mobility. Thanks to this method, an experimental study shows that the bed slope evolution follows an exponential decay. Secondly, we optimised deterministic tracking algorithms to enable the study of trajectories on long-duration phenomena of segregation, which was not possible with previous work done at Irstea. Moreover we set up relevant evaluation measures and elaborated ground truth sequences to quantify the results. We observed benefits in execution time, consistency, precision and memory. Thirdly, we developed a new algorithm based on multiple model particle filtering to better deal with complex dynamics of particles and to gain robustness. This approach allows taking unreliable detections into account, correcting them and thus avoiding difficulties in the target tracking as encountered with the deterministic algorithm

Les mosaïques de paysages dessinées par les cours d’eau sont le fruit de fonctionnements complexes. Ces fonctionnements sont appréhendés à divers échelles spatio-temporelles (e.g, bassin versant, secteurs fonctionnels, macroformes alluviales ou particules sédimentaires) décrites au sein du concept de système fluvial. Le fonctionnement des systèmes fluviaux s’établissent autour d’équilibres sédimentaires mettant en balance les flux liquides et solides. C’est pourquoi, l’état géomorphologique des cours d’eau à charge sédimentaire graveleuse peut être décrit au travers d’un prisme sédimentaire par l’observation de tendances générales à large échelles, de phénomènes plus ou moins localisés tels que l’incision, l’engravement, la migration des formes sédimentaires ou des modifications des propriétés géométriques des particules constituant la charge sédimentaire. Ainsi, la meilleure connaissance du rôle des flux sédimentaires actuels et passés dans l’état géomorphologique pour la prédiction des trajectoires hydrosédimentaires des cours, répond à des objectifs à la fois écologiques (la perméabilité de la nappe d’alluvions et de la zone hyporhéique exercent des fonctions auto-épuratrices (Datry et al., 2008), la faune benthique est la base de la chaîne alimentaire des écosystèmes fluviaux), politiques (liés à la gestion des risques d’inondation et d’érosion des terres ou d’ouvrages d’ingénierie) ou encore philosophiques (quel fonctionnement de référence pour quel système fluvial ? Quelle implication et quel rôle pour l’Homme dans le fonctionnement de ces systèmes anthropisés à divers degrés ?). Aussi, le développement d’outils et de méthodologie(s) pour la caractérisation des flux sédimentaires ou des processus observés en rivières constitue un axe de recherche important en constante émulsion. Les recherches que nous avons engagés sont articulées autour de trois axes interdépendants : (1) les propriétés physiques des particules sédimentaires, (2) leur mobilité et (3) leur transformation par abrasion. Dans le cadre de ce typique, nous avons cherché à lever le doute subsistant concernant le rôle de la fracturation de traceurs naturels (calcaires) équipés de transpondeurs passifs basses fréquences (PIT-tag) et à tester l’intérêt de l’utilisation de galets synthétiques pour la conception de nouveaux traceurs équipés de transpondeurs actifs ultra hautes fréquences (a-UHF). Nous avons ensuite testé le potentiel de ces transpondeurs (a-UHF), dont les caractéristiques d’émission sont mieux adaptées que celles des PIT-tag à l’étude du fonctionnement des macroformes fluviale à l’échelle de tronçons fonctionnels, puis avons développé une méthodologie de recherche en rivière spécifique à ces nouveaux traceurs. Par ailleurs, Nous avons testé la sensibilité à divers paramètres d’entrée d’un programme de calcul d’émoussé de particules sédimentaires grossières, en avons validé son intérêt pour l’analyse (1) des relations entre évolution des indices d’émoussé et abrasion de la masse sédimentaire et (2) du fonctionnement hydrosédimentaire d’un bassin versant et avons formulé les recommandations nécessaires de respecter pour sa bonne utilisation. Enfin, nous avons cherché à comparer les influences respectives de la densité et de la forme des particules sédimentaires pendant leur transport par charriage. Ces résultats soulignent l’influence au moins aussi grande de la forme comparée à la mobilité, sur le déplacement des particules sédimentaires. / The influence of fluvial systems dynamics on riverine landscape patterns is the consequence of complex ecosystem dynamics. These driving factors can be analysed at different spatiotemporal scales of the fluvial system (for example: river basin, functional units, alluvial megaforms or sedimentary particles). The dynamic of fluvial systems depends on the equilibrium between solid and liquid fluids. For this reason, the geomorphological status of watercourses can be described from a sedimentary perspective taking into account general trends at large scale, local characteristics such as incision, aggradation, sedimentary migration or the alteration of particles’ geometrical properties that constitute bed load. Thus, a better understanding of the influence of past and present sedimentary flows on the geomorphological status of watercourses has at the same time an ecological impact (permeability of both the alluvial layer and the hyporheic zone and its self-filtration function (Datry et al., 2008)), a political impact (related to flood management, erosion risks and issues or hydraulic facilities) or even a philosophical issue (what is the appropriate reference for what fluvial system? What is the role of Humanity on these anthropized environments and at what extent?).Thus, the development of methodological tools to characterize sedimentary flows or the observed dynamics on rivers, is considered a major and rising research issue. The research studies described in this thesis are structured in three distinct topics: (1) physical properties of sedimentary particles; (2) their mobility; (3) their transformation as a consequence of abrasion.In this context, we have analysed the relationship between breakage and low recovery rates for natural tracers (limestone pebbles) equipped with low frequency passive transponders (PIT-tag). In addition, we have tested the use of synthetic pebbles to create new tracers equipped with high frequency active transponders (a-UHF), more performant than PIT-tags. Secondly, we have developed a new search and location field methodology specially, adapted to these new transponders. Thirdly, we have tested the sensibility of the toolbox developed by Roussillon et al. (2009), design to measure the roundness of coarse sedimentary particles, to different entry parameters. We have confirmed its interest to (1) analyse the relationship between particles normalized abrasion and its roundness trends; (2) analyse the hydrosedimentary dynamics at a river basin scale. We have included several recommendations to apply this toolbox in the appropriate conditions. Finally, we have performed a comparative analysis between particles’ density and shape and its influence on bedrock transport. These results highlight the significant influence of shape on travelled distance in comparison with density.

This thesis is a study of the morphology and sediment transport dynamics of mountain streams in southeast Australia. Mountain streams represent important geomorphological and ecological systems in Australia which have hitherto been poorly studied. The variability of mountain stream reach morphology was investigated at the regional scale using topographical surveys and sediment sampling techniques. Study sites were stratified by slope and local lithology. Eight channel-morphologies including Bedrock, Cascade, Step-pool, Planebed, Pool-Riffle, Cascade-pool, Riffle-step and Infilled, were identified using an objective statistical approach. Overall, channel types were found to correspond to existing reach-scale mountain stream templates. Five morphologies were associated with a specific lithology type which controlled the size and shape of grains supplied to the channels. Differences in coarse sediment transport processes between morphologies were investigated using stream monitoring techniques and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating. Monitoring results from a 3 year period indicated that channel beds are resistant to entrainment with shear stress thresholds for bedload transport ranging between 64 to 74 N/m2. Transport of reach median grain sizes requires floods that exceed bankfull discharge. Existing competence equations were found to over-predict the hydraulic driving force and consequently, a modified entrainment model was used to account for the regional channel characteristics. OSL dating was investigated as a tool to provide data on long-term sediment transport processes. Minimum age model results from the OSL dates show overall agreement with a selected entrainment model, and indicate differences in sediment transport dynamics between some reach morphology types. A regime model was used to quantify the physical domains of different channel morphologies. Limitations of the model were overcome by modifying the sediment supply surrogate to better reflect the dominant transported bedload size. Morphology types were delineated according to different sediment transport capacity-sediment supply domains. The distribution of channel morphology types within a series of catchments in southeast Australia was modelled within a GIS platform using the diagnostics of reach morphology derived from this study. The model provides a conceptual framework to evaluate the potential link between channel form, potential habitat diversity and aquatic biodiversity within the channel network in mountain streams.

This thesis is a study of the morphology and sediment transport dynamics of mountain streams in southeast Australia. Mountain streams represent important geomorphological and ecological systems in Australia which have hitherto been poorly studied. The variability of mountain stream reach morphology was investigated at the regional scale using topographical surveys and sediment sampling techniques. Study sites were stratified by slope and local lithology. Eight channel-morphologies including Bedrock, Cascade, Step-pool, Planebed, Pool-Riffle, Cascade-pool, Riffle-step and Infilled, were identified using an objective statistical approach. Overall, channel types were found to correspond to existing reach-scale mountain stream templates. Five morphologies were associated with a specific lithology type which controlled the size and shape of grains supplied to the channels. Differences in coarse sediment transport processes between morphologies were investigated using stream monitoring techniques and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating. Monitoring results from a 3 year period indicated that channel beds are resistant to entrainment with shear stress thresholds for bedload transport ranging between 64 to 74 N/m2. Transport of reach median grain sizes requires floods that exceed bankfull discharge. Existing competence equations were found to over-predict the hydraulic driving force and consequently, a modified entrainment model was used to account for the regional channel characteristics. OSL dating was investigated as a tool to provide data on long-term sediment transport processes. Minimum age model results from the OSL dates show overall agreement with a selected entrainment model, and indicate differences in sediment transport dynamics between some reach morphology types. A regime model was used to quantify the physical domains of different channel morphologies. Limitations of the model were overcome by modifying the sediment supply surrogate to better reflect the dominant transported bedload size. Morphology types were delineated according to different sediment transport capacity-sediment supply domains. The distribution of channel morphology types within a series of catchments in southeast Australia was modelled within a GIS platform using the diagnostics of reach morphology derived from this study. The model provides a conceptual framework to evaluate the potential link between channel form, potential habitat diversity and aquatic biodiversity within the channel network in mountain streams.

This thesis is a study of the morphology and sediment transport dynamics of mountain streams in southeast Australia. Mountain streams represent important geomorphological and ecological systems in Australia which have hitherto been poorly studied. The variability of mountain stream reach morphology was investigated at the regional scale using topographical surveys and sediment sampling techniques. Study sites were stratified by slope and local lithology. Eight channel-morphologies including Bedrock, Cascade, Step-pool, Planebed, Pool-Riffle, Cascade-pool, Riffle-step and Infilled, were identified using an objective statistical approach. Overall, channel types were found to correspond to existing reach-scale mountain stream templates. Five morphologies were associated with a specific lithology type which controlled the size and shape of grains supplied to the channels. Differences in coarse sediment transport processes between morphologies were investigated using stream monitoring techniques and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating. Monitoring results from a 3 year period indicated that channel beds are resistant to entrainment with shear stress thresholds for bedload transport ranging between 64 to 74 N/m2. Transport of reach median grain sizes requires floods that exceed bankfull discharge. Existing competence equations were found to over-predict the hydraulic driving force and consequently, a modified entrainment model was used to account for the regional channel characteristics. OSL dating was investigated as a tool to provide data on long-term sediment transport processes. Minimum age model results from the OSL dates show overall agreement with a selected entrainment model, and indicate differences in sediment transport dynamics between some reach morphology types. A regime model was used to quantify the physical domains of different channel morphologies. Limitations of the model were overcome by modifying the sediment supply surrogate to better reflect the dominant transported bedload size. Morphology types were delineated according to different sediment transport capacity-sediment supply domains. The distribution of channel morphology types within a series of catchments in southeast Australia was modelled within a GIS platform using the diagnostics of reach morphology derived from this study. The model provides a conceptual framework to evaluate the potential link between channel form, potential habitat diversity and aquatic biodiversity within the channel network in mountain streams.

This thesis is a study of the morphology and sediment transport dynamics of mountain streams in southeast Australia. Mountain streams represent important geomorphological and ecological systems in Australia which have hitherto been poorly studied. The variability of mountain stream reach morphology was investigated at the regional scale using topographical surveys and sediment sampling techniques. Study sites were stratified by slope and local lithology. Eight channel-morphologies including Bedrock, Cascade, Step-pool, Planebed, Pool-Riffle, Cascade-pool, Riffle-step and Infilled, were identified using an objective statistical approach. Overall, channel types were found to correspond to existing reach-scale mountain stream templates. Five morphologies were associated with a specific lithology type which controlled the size and shape of grains supplied to the channels. Differences in coarse sediment transport processes between morphologies were investigated using stream monitoring techniques and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating. Monitoring results from a 3 year period indicated that channel beds are resistant to entrainment with shear stress thresholds for bedload transport ranging between 64 to 74 N/m2. Transport of reach median grain sizes requires floods that exceed bankfull discharge. Existing competence equations were found to over-predict the hydraulic driving force and consequently, a modified entrainment model was used to account for the regional channel characteristics. OSL dating was investigated as a tool to provide data on long-term sediment transport processes. Minimum age model results from the OSL dates show overall agreement with a selected entrainment model, and indicate differences in sediment transport dynamics between some reach morphology types. A regime model was used to quantify the physical domains of different channel morphologies. Limitations of the model were overcome by modifying the sediment supply surrogate to better reflect the dominant transported bedload size. Morphology types were delineated according to different sediment transport capacity-sediment supply domains. The distribution of channel morphology types within a series of catchments in southeast Australia was modelled within a GIS platform using the diagnostics of reach morphology derived from this study. The model provides a conceptual framework to evaluate the potential link between channel form, potential habitat diversity and aquatic biodiversity within the channel network in mountain streams.