Author(s): John R. Gray; Jeffrey W. Gartner
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Suspended sediment; Sediment surrogate; Monitoring; Research; Sediment data quality
Abstract: Traditional methods for characterizing suspended sediments in surface waters are being replaced or augmented by methods that produce continuous, quantifiably accurate surrogate data that are safer, and (or) less expensive to obtain. Optical properties of water such as turbidity and optical backscatter are the most commonly used surrogates for suspended-sediment concentration, but use of other techniques such as acoustic backscatter, laser diffraction, digital photo-optic, and pressure-difference technologies is increasing for concentration and, in some cases, particle-size distribution determinations. When suspended sediment surrogate data meet consensus accuracy criteria and appropriate sediment-record computation techniques are applied, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way fluvial-sediment data are collected, analyzed, and made available in the United States.
Year: 2004