Sediment source identification: a review and a case study in some Canadian streams

The state-of-the-art of sediment source identification is reviewed in this paper. Sediment 'fingerprinting' techniques using different 'fingerprint' properties were examined. With these techniques, it is possible to identify potential sources of sediment transported in river systems. Such knowledge is useful for implementing sediment control strategies to limit sediment production from upland areas in a watershed as well as for developing guidelines for land use practices to minimize adverse impacts on surface and ground water resources in agricultural watersheds. Examples of sediment source identification techniques that were carried out in agricultural watersheds in different parts of the world were also included in the present review. Key words: sediment source, fingerprinting technique, stream ecosystem, colour of sediment, magnetic properties, chemical properties, radionuclides, organic matter source, multi-parameter approach. Cet article etudie les meilleures methodes d'identification des sources de sediments. Les techniques de caracterisation des sediments utilisant diverses proprietes <> ont ete examinees. Grace a ces techniques il est possible d'identifier les sources potentielles de sediments transportes dans les bassins hydrographiques. Une telle connaissance est utile pour implanter des strategies de controle des sediments afin de limiter la venue de sediments provenant des zones aval dans un bassin hydrographique et pour developper des lignes directrices d'utilisation des terres afin de minimiser les impacts negatifs sur les ressources hydriques de surface et souterraines dans les bassins hydrographiques agricoles. Des exemples de techniques d'identification des sources de sediments realisees dans les bassins hydrographiques agricoles de diverses regions au monde sont inclus. Mots-cles : source de sediments, technique de caracterisation, ecosysteme des ruisseaux, couleur des sediments, proprietes magnetiques, proprietes chimiques, radionucleides, source de matie`re organique, approche a parametres multiples. [Traduit par la Redaction]
Introduction Sediments transported in streams are derived from erosion of uplands by overland flow, erosion of stream banks due to channel-shifting, and erosion of stream beds due to excessive carrying [...]