Author(s): Oliver Lojek; Christian Jordan; Arne Stahlmann; Torsten Schlurmann
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Delta management; Field campaign; Yellow River Delta; Estuary; Morphology
Abstract: The Yellow River Delta (YRD) in China is a highly active morphodynamic environment subjected to both climatic driven naturally variations and anthropogenic stresses and other modes of transitions. The Yellow River changes its channel course within the delta region at a very rapid rate with an average channel life-cycle of 10 years. One of the Yellow River’s unique features consists of its high suspended sediment concentration (SSC) ,which amounts to 25 kg/m³on average but may exceed 45 g/l in the lower reaches during high discharge periods. In the period of industrial human activity in the delta, the path of the river is artificially controlled by river training. The fast growing city of Dongying with 2 million inhabitants tabs the Yellow River for its water resources. Likewise, water demands stemming from local agri-and aquaculture productions utilize the river as source of water and arable soil. Within this complex and highly dynamic framework the joint Delta Information System for Geoenvironmental and Human Habitat Transition (DELIGHT, http: //www. delight. eoc. dlr. de/en) research project, aims at building a comprehensive delta development tool and decision system. Numerical models are set up in order to investigate the hydro-and morphodynamic situation of the Yellow River Delta. In October 2013, a field campaign was undertaken, conducting vessel-based in-situ measurements of: water depth profiles and bottom sediment composition utilizing a parametric sub-bottom profiler, 3D-current velocities by AcousticDoppler-Current-Profiler, conductivity, temperature, depth, oxygen saturation, p H and turbidity by CTD-probe, fluid densities by supersonic density probe and point velocities by electromagnetic current meter. Supplementary water and sediment samples have been collected. Measurements presented are processed for further usage as calibration data for a three dimensional hydro-morphodynamic numerical model covering the YRD and the adjacent Bohai Sea. Another field campaign is currently being planned for mid-2015 in order to obtain validation data.
Year: 2015