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Evolution of the Mid-Channel Bars in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River from 1989 to 2014 Based on T

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Evolution of the Mid-Channel Bars in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River from 1989 to 2014 Based on T Environmental Earth Sciences (2018) 77:394 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7576-2 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Evolution of the mid-channel bars in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River from 1989 to 2014 based on the Landsat satellite images: impact of the Three Gorges Dam Yaying Lou1 · Xuefei Mei1 · Zhijun Dai1,2 · Jie Wang1 · Wen Wei1 Received: 11 August 2017 / Accepted: 16 May 2018 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract The mid-channel bars have long been identified as essential landforms in the large rivers of the world, and the significance of connectivity between morphology and flow-sediment dynamics has been intensively emphasized. In this study, remote sensing images and associated hydrological data from 1989 to 2014 were used to explore mid-channel bars evolution in the middle and lower reach of the Changjiang and their responses to the Three Gorges Dam (TGD), the world’s largest hydrologi- cal engineering. The results indicated that mid-channel bars, respectively, exhibited deposition and erosion in the flood and dry season in pre-TGD period, while mild deposition in flood season and deposition in dry season were found in post-TGD period. As a consequence, mid-channel bars area was characterized by ‘remarkable seasonal differences in pre-TGD period, mild seasonal pattern in post-TGD period’. The obvious shift in seasonal features could be attributed to the TGD operation in 2003. Specifically, flood duration decrease and sediment load reduction following TGD regulation suppressed the bars growth in flood season. TGD-induced variations in differences between sediment carry capacity and suspended sediment concentration resulted in the bars transformation in dry season. Meanwhile, the change trends of downstream mid-channel bars became weak as their locations’ distance to TGD increases because of the river adjustment and tributaries supplement. Moreover, mid-channel bars in different river patterns presented various change trends with the most remarkable variation being detected in goose-head-shaped river pattern. The results of this paper provide a theoretical basis for the river channel improvement in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang River. Keywords Mid-channel bars · Morphodynamic process · Sediment · Changjiang (Yangtze) River · Three Gorges Dam (TGD) Introduction bars can be vegetated, with flow discharge passing through both sides (Hooke and Yorke 2011). As unique geomorphic Mid-channel bars, i.e., a free bar in the middle of a chan- cells and components are present in braided river and estuary nel, are typical accumulation landforms that are distributed area, mid-channel bars are of vital importance to maintain worldwide over river channels (Bristow and Best 1993). the river and estuarine channel stability and protect adja- Generally seen in diamond or lozenge-shaped, mid-channel cent wetlands (Hooke 1986; Bristow and Best 1993; Sanford 2007). Thus, morphodynamic evolution of the mid-channel bars along fluvial rivers has received attention in the litera- * Zhijun Dai ture (Leopold and Wolman 1957; Hooke 1986; Lippmann [email protected] and Holman 1990). Yaying Lou The earlier studies about river bars leaned to analyze [email protected] their formation mechanism and natural evolution and aggradation (Knighton 1972; Church and Jones 1982; Ash- 1 State Key Lab of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China worth 1996). Knighton (1972) recognized that a number of mid-channel bars on the Bollin River were arisen where 2 Laboratory for Marine Geology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, the bank was rapidly eroded and the channel became wid- Qingdao 266100, China ened. More and more researches have focused on the Vol.:(0123456789)1 3 394 Page 2 of 18 Environmental Earth Sciences (2018) 77:394 contribution of detached bars to the meander form devel- Study area opment and variations. Church and Jones (1982) identi- fied three major causes of bars’ formation: reduce in shear Changjiang River is the longest river (about 6300 km) in stress, widening of the channel and tributary entrances Asia with a drainage area of about 1.8 × 107 km2 (Wang (all of which lead to flow divergence). Thereafter, Ash- et al. 2009; Dai and Liu 2013; Dai et al. 2014; Mei et al. worth (1996) demonstrated the bars’ development process 2016). The reach between Chenglingji and Datong (CD) and linked the process to changes in channel geometry belongs to the middle and lower reach of the Changji- and local flow strength and direction. In addition, a series ang River, which is one of the densely populated area of of recent research works further conducted the specific Changjiang River (Dai and Liu 2013). Chenglingji–Datong bars’ formation and evolution mechanisms globally, and (CD) reach is about 753.4 km in length with the Han showed that their evolutions were related to the hydrologi- River and Poyang Lake mingling in at Hankou and cal regime (Ashworth et al. 2000; Lunt and Bridge 2004; Hukou, respectively (Fig. 1). Accordingly, this reach Burge 2006; Szupiany et al. 2009; Baubinienė et al. 2015). can be further divided into three reaches: CH reach from With intensive human intervention and occupation, the Chenglingji to Hankou, HJ reach from Hankou to Jiuji- natural river regimes were gradually replaced by the regu- ang and JD reach from Jiujiang to Datong. The hydrologic lated flow, which dramatically affected the mid-channel regimes in these reaches are monitored by five hydrologi- bars’ evolution and gained international concerns (Sanford cal stations, namely, Luoshan, Hankou, Huangshi, Jiujiang 2007; Skalak et al. 2013; Kiss and Balogh 2015; Raška and Datong. The annual runoff (from 1951 to 2002) in et al. 2016). For example, Sanford (2007) showed that in Luoshan, Hankou and Datong were about 6.5 × 1012 m3, the Missouri River, dam regulated rate of flow resulted in 7.1 × 1012 m3 and 9 × 1012 m3, respectively, while the con- the decrease in the sand bars’ area, less centroid migra- temporary sediment load were 4.15 × 109 t, 3.98 × 109 t and tion and more easy bars aggregation. Kiss and Balogh 4.28 × 109 t. Due to the effect of monsoon, the runoff and (2015) showed the point-bars developed quickly upstream sediment in Chenglingji–Datong reach are mainly con- and laterally in the Dráva River, because of the coarse centrated in the flood season (May to October), when the sediment supply and the decreasing stream energy by the runoff, respectively, accounted for 74.2, 73.3 and 71.1% dam effect. Raška et al. (2016) discovered most islands of the total runoff in the three reaches from upstream to have disappeared because of the construction of dams downstream, while the sediment took up 85.5, 87.6, 87.7% and lock chambers in Elbe River. Meanwhile, a series of of the total sediment load (Pan 2011). water conservancy projects have been constructed along As a braided river with sandy beds, CD reach has devel- the Changjiang River, especially, the Three Gorges Dam oped a number of mid-channel bars (Fig. 1) (Yu 2005). To (TGD), currently the world’s largest water conservancy facilitate statistic, stable and relatively large bars that can project, which influences the hydrological regime (Chen be observed in both flood and dry seasons were selected et al. 2017) and may affect dozens of sand bars in the in this study. Besides, based on the channel classification downstream reaches (Xu 2013; Zhu et al. 2015; Li 2011). theory of Rust (1978) and Chien (1987), it was further pro- For instance, Zhu et al. (2015) analyzed the evolution posed that braided river with different sinuosities can be characteristics and trend of the braided channels in the divided into straight braided river, bending braided river middle Changjiang reach, and found that the mid-channel and goose-head-shaped braided river. These three river bars in lower Jingjiang reach experienced the most severe types are described in Fig. 2, while the related specific erosion after the TGD impoundment. However, the previ- mid-channel bars number in each river type are shown in ous understanding on bars change have been mainly con- Table 1. ducted along Jingjiang reach and ignored variations along the further downstream reach (Shao et al. 2005; Jiang et al. 2010). Besides, according to classification of river chan- nel by Rust (1978), Chenglingji–Datong reach belongs Materials and methods to a braided river with different sinuosities, which could also affect the bars’ development which is why it needs an Traditional mid-channel bars’ research methods included urgent research. model simulation (Leopold and Wolman 1957), numeri- Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to (1) explore cal method (Davoren and Mosley 1986; Ashworth et al. the evolution of braided bars along the Chenglingji–Datong 2000), historical maps and aerial photos analysis (Hooke reach of Changjiang River, (2) identify the change character- 1986; Sanford 2007; Raška et al. 2016). The methods of istics of the mid-channel bars in braided river with different model simulation and numerical method are prone on the sinuosities, (3) discuss associated variation mechanism of theoretical analysis, which, however, cannot document the mid-channel bars evolution. 1 3 Environmental Earth Sciences (2018) 77:394 Page 3 of 18 394 Fig. 1 Study area of Chenglingji to Datong reaches Fig. 2 Three kinds of braided river diagram; a straight braided river; b bending braided river; c goose-head-shaped braided river real situation properly. Besides, although historical maps used to examine the significance of area changing between and aerial photos are more intuitive in exploring the bars’ two periods (Makwana et al. 2016). development, there are no lasting yearly observed maps or photos in this study. In recent decades, with technological advancement, remote sensing images have been widely Satellite imagery selection and data source used in bars’ observation and study because of high resolu- tion and easy accessibility (Moretto et al.
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