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Turbulence generated within the vegetated confluence system is important for water quality and river management. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to explore the extent to which emergent rigid vegetation in the confluence channel influences hydrodynamic characteristics and contaminant transport. First, a series of tests with increasing discharge ratios (from 0.35, 0.5, and 1) was conducted to quantify the effects of the discharge ratio on hydrodynamic conditions within the vegetated confluence. Then, tests with different discharge ratios were also set up to explore how contaminants released locations and modes (line and point source) influence the transport and mixing of contaminants. The results showed that increasing the discharge ratio induced larger momentum in the confluence area. The increase in discharge ratio rendered the circulation stronger, and its position came earlier in the non-vegetative area. In addition, the dimensionless turbulent kinetic energy peaked near the interface of the non/vegetated zone. With the increase in the discharge ratio, the dimensionless turbulent kinetic energy was found to be smaller. In the contaminants transport tests, the results revealed larger discharge ratio could speed up contaminants transport and mixing. The applications from this study would be helpful to pollutant transport management in natural confluences. • The effects of discharge ratios on vegetated flow at confluence were quantified. • Velocity profile, secondary flow and longitudinal dispersion coefficient were presented. • Contaminants released by line and point sources were considered in the experiments. • Increasing discharge ratios speed up contaminants' transport and mixing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laboratory measurement with acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) was used to investigate the flow through a Y-shaped confluence channel partially covered with rigid vegetation on its inner bank. In this study, the flow velocities in cases with and without vegetation were measured by the ADV in a Y-shaped confluence channel. The results clearly showed that the existence of non-submerged rigid plants has changed the internal flow structure. The velocity in the non-vegetated area is greater than in the vegetated area. There is a large exchange of mass and momentum between the vegetated and non-vegetated areas. In addition, due to the presence of vegetation, the high-velocity area moved rapidly to the middle of the non-vegetated area in the vicinity of tributaries, and the secondary flow phenomenon disappeared. The presence of vegetation made the flow in non-vegetated areas more intense. The turbulent kinetic energy of the non-vegetated area was smaller than that of the vegetated area.

A laboratory measurement with acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) was used to investigate the flow through a Y-shaped confluence channel partially covered with rigid vegetation on its inner bank. In this study, the flow velocities in cases with and without vegetation were measured by the ADV in a Y-shaped confluence channel. The results clearly showed that the existence of non-submerged rigid plants has changed the internal flow structure. The velocity in the non-vegetated area is greater than in the vegetated area. There is a large exchange of mass and momentum between the vegetated and non-vegetated areas. In addition, due to the presence of vegetation, the high-velocity area moved rapidly to the middle of the non-vegetated area in the vicinity of tributaries, and the secondary flow phenomenon disappeared. The presence of vegetation made the flow in non-vegetated areas more intense. The turbulent kinetic energy of the non-vegetated area was smaller than that of the vegetated area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]