Sediment Reworking in Streambeds With Fine Sediment Deposits and Its Influence on Hyporheic Flow Regime

Abstract

The mobilization and mixing of sediments by the activities of in-stream fauna, referred to as sediment reworking, constantly modifies the hydro-physical properties of streambeds. This sediment-organism interaction has been increasingly recognized to influence the hyporheic exchange flows in stream ecosystems, particularly in low flow environments (e.g., during base flow). In this work, we advance the knowledge of sediment reworking process by studying its impact on hyporheic exchange flows in streambeds with fine sediment deposits. Laboratory experiments are conducted in re-circulating flumes following a control (only fine sediments) and treatment- (fine sediments + organisms) based design. ..