Hydro-acoustic multi-frequency measurements of suspended sediment flux in rivers

Currently, the estimation of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) fluxes in rivers relies on river discharge and an average SSC, the latter is commonly determined through optical turbidity measurements at a single point in the river cross-section. This approach has limitations, such as the SSC data being extrapolated from a one-point measurement and indirectly determined depending on regular sampling and laboratory analysis, which is cost-intensive.

Hydro-acoustic echosounders are an alternative to derive SSC across an entire profile, for accurate conversion from backscatter intensity to SSC knowledge of particle size is a requirement. In this approach, we present a method utilizing multi-frequency hydro-acoustic echosounding in addition to velocity measurements via an ADCP. Operating on various acoustic frequencies allows for the direct estimation of mean particle size from backscatter data at different frequencies over a water profile. River in-situ measurements as well as laboratory experiments have been conducted in different concentration as well as particle size distribution regimes.