Using a sediment budget approach, suspended sediment transport dynamics were studied over the 2010 summer runoff season in the 8 km2 West River catchment at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory (CBAWO), Melville Island, Nunavut. Research was carried out in an effort to determine the longer term impacts and response of recent (2007-8) active layer detachments (ALD) on the river system. In 2010, measured ALD inflows contributed 4.7% of the measured sediment yield, a decrease of 13.3% from 2007 when they initially formed. This indicates that while they continue to supply sediment to the main river, the impact they have on sediment fluxes, and hence the sediment budget has diminished, with time. Results from the sediment budget indicate that connectivity and the sediment delivery ratio within the system have also decreased with time. Sediment budget analysis shows that in response to this additional sediment, the West River progressively stores more sediment throughout the season, storing as much as 85% of sediment inflows during baseflow. Sediment was preferentially deposited within the channel, with coarser material deposited in the upper reaches, and finer material deposited in the lower reaches. Similarly, the transported and stored sediment became progressively finer with time, indicating the importance that river competence and wetted perimeter have on sediment transport as the larger sediment was entrained earlier in the season under higher flow conditions when the sediment was accessible, and finer sediment transported later in the season due to decreased competence and reduced accessibility of sediment. This sediment storage is expected to replenish sediment in the channel that is eroded during peak discharge in spring, and also dampens the effects that disturbances have on the sediment budget through storage. Sediment stored in the channel towards the end of the season does not contribute to sediment yield and may prove to be an important source of sediment in future years under late summer rainfall events. / Thesis (Master, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2011-12-08 16:31:48.633
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OKQ.1974/6901 |
| Date | 09 December 2011 |
| Creators | VEILLETTE, MARYSE |
| Contributors | Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.). Theses (Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. |
| Relation | Canadian theses |
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