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Erosion, Weathering Features: V-shaped valley, Interlocking Spurs, Waterfalls, Gorges Middle Course Characteristics: Open/Gentle Sloping Valley with floodplain, Wider/deeper channel, more suspended Sediments Type of Erosion: Lateral Erosion, Transportation Features: Meanders, River Cliffs, Slip off Slopes Lower Course Characteristics: Open/Gentle Sloping Valley with floodplain, Flat and wide floodplain, wide & open valley, Very wide & deep Channel Type of erosion: Transportation, Deposition, Friction is reduced, so greater velocity Features: Ox-bow Lakes, Floodplains, Levees
SABINE NG SHUFEN
3E2
Factors affecting River Speed: Factor Gradient Roughness of river channel Wetted Perimeter Definition How steep a river is How rough a river channel is ( affected by obstacles in river ) Area in contact with the river, shape of the river channel affects the wetted perimeter ( Length and breadth in contact with the river ) High Speed River is steeper ( Usually at upper course ) Fewer obstacles Smoother Channel Faster Smaller Wetted perimeter Less friction Faster Low speed River is gentler ( Usually at lower course) More Obstacles Rougher Channel Slower Larger wetted perimeter More friction Faster
Factors affecting River Volume: Factor Permeability of Rocks Presence of vegetation cover Climate Definition Permeability is the ability of rocks being able to hold water Vegetation: Plants placed by the side of the river How rainfall / temperature affects the river Wet/dry weather water level fluctuates Drainage basin: An area which collects water ( Comprises of rivers ) High Volume Less Permeable rocksHolds less water High volume of water Sparse vegetation less rainwater infiltrates the ground More surface runoff High volume Hot/wet ( High evaporation ) High volume of water Bigger drainage Basin Larger surface area Higher Volume of water Low Volume Permeable rocksholds more water Lesser surface run-off Low volume of water Dense vegetation More rainwater infiltrates the ground Lesser surface run-off Low volume Dry low volume of water throughout the river Smaller Drainage basin Smaller surface area Small volume of water
SABINE NG SHUFEN
3E2
River Processes
EROSION ( CASH ):
Corrasion: Also Known as Abrasion Scrapping, grinding & action of the rivers load Occurs when the river picks up the materials and rubs it along its bed and banks Most effective during load. Major method by which river erodes both vertically and laterally For example: Turbulent eddies in the current can swirl pebbles that are hollow in the river bed and pebble are likely to become trapped.
Attrition: - As bedload moves downstream, Boulders collide with each other. - Impact may break the rocks into smaller pieces - In time, Angular rocks become increasingly rounded Solution: Also known as corrosion This process not dependent on the rivers discharge or velocity When rock minerals dissolve in the water due to chemical reactions Common in Limestone areas Carbonation o Carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater to form carbonic acid - Solution o Carbonic acid reacts with calcium carbonate (limestone) to form calcium bicarbonate, which is soluble in water. Hydraulic Action: - The action of flowing water hitting against the river banks and beds - Water surges into the cracks and joint to break and loosen pieces of rock and soil - Cavitation: A form of hydraulic action caused by bubbles of air collapsing
SABINE NG SHUFEN
3E2
TRANSPORTATION ( TSSS ):
Traction: - When the large Boulders and cobbles roll or slide along the river bed. - Examples: Rocks and Boulders Saltation: - When Pebbles, sand and gravel (bedload) are lifted up by the current and bounced along the bed in a hopping motion. - Examples: Stones, pebbles, sand and gravel Suspension: - When very fine particles such as clay and slit (suspended load) are dislodged and carried by turbulence in a fast flowing river. - Examples: Clay & Slit Solution: - When dissolved river materials such as calcium bicarbonate are along the riverbed. - Example: Calcium Bicarbonate
DEPOSITION:
A river may deposit its load along the course when: 1. Volume of flow is reduced and/or 2. Speed of flow is decreased 3. It is commonly found in the lower course of the river where the gradient is gentler and the load carries is at its maximum. 4. The bigger and heavier load will be deposited first whereas the finer particles will be transported into the sea or lake.
SABINE NG SHUFEN
3E2
SABINE NG SHUFEN
3E2
Bank Protection: Bank protection involves the manipulating of the banks to increase river depth and to protect the banks from being eroded. This strategy has been implemented at the yellow river in China. Artificial levees/dykes can be built to increase the river depth while Gabions and revetments can be built to reduce bank erosion. Gabions and revetments reduce the amount of sediments in the river hence preventing the river from becoming shallower. This strategy is effective as a deeper river channel with less sediment increases the rivers capability to hold water. This prevents water from overflowing its banks during heavy rain, hence reducing the chances of flooding. Dykes have not been very successful because of the continual buildup of sediments on the riverbed, making the river shallower. This has caused water levels to rise higher than the dyke walls over the years. Higher dykes have to be built regularly or the sediments have to be dug up and removed from the riverbed. It is an expensive method as it incurs high maintenance costs. Dykes may not be effective in cases of heavy rainfall when the volume of the water in the channel may overwhelm effectiveness of the dykes retaining water in the channel. An example is the dykes along the Mississippi River that burst during the hurricane Katrina in 2005.
SABINE NG SHUFEN
3E2