Relevance of acoustic methods to quantify bedload transport and bedform dynamics in a large sandy-gravel-bed river

Abstract

Despite the inherent difficulties in quantifying its value, bedload transport is essential for understanding fluvial systems. In this study, we assessed different indirect bedload measurement techniques with a reference direct bedload measurement in a reach of a large sandy-gravel-bed river. An acoustic Doppler current profiler (aDcp), the dune tracking method (DTM) and hydrophone measurement techniques were used to determine bedload transport rates by using calibration with the reference method or by using empirical formulas. This study is the first work which attempted to use a hydrophone to quantify bedload rates in a large sandy-gravel-bed river. Results show that the hydrophone is the most efficient and accurate method for determining bedload fluxes in the Loire River. Although further work is needed to identify the parameters controlling self-generated sediment noise, the calibration procedure adopted in this study allows a satisfactory estimation of bedload transport rates. Moreover, aDcp and hydrophone measurement techniques are accurate enough to quantify bedload variations associated with dune migration.