| Abstract: | Optical sensors have been used to measure turbidity and suspended-sediment concentration by many marine and estuarine studies, and optical sensors can provide automated, continuous time series of suspended-sediment concentration and discharge in rivers. Three potential problems with using optical sensors are biological fouling, particle-size variability, and particle-reflectivity variability. Despite varying particle size, output from an optical backscatterance sensor in the Sacramento River at Freeport, California, USA, was calibrated successfully to discharge-weighted, cross-sectionally averaged suspended-sediment concentration, which was measured with the equal discharge-, or width-increment, methods and an isokinetic sampler. A correction for sensor drift was applied to the 3-year time series. However, the calibration of an optical backscatterance sensor used in the Colorado River at Cisco, Utah, USA, was affected by particle-size variability. The adjusted time series at Freeport was used to calculate hourly suspended-sediment discharge that compared well with daily values from a sediment station at Freeport. The appropriateness of using optical sensors in rivers should be evaluated on a site-specific basis and measurement objectives, potential particle size effects, and potential fouling should be considered. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70024677 |
| Citation Author: | Schoellhamer, D. H.; Wright, S. A. |
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| Citation Editor: | Bogen J.Fergus T.Walling D. |
| Citation End Page: | 36 |
| Citation Issue: | 283 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | IAHS-AISH Publication |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 9 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Continuous measurement of suspended-sediment discharge in rivers by use of optical backscatterance sensors; 2003; Article; Journal; IAHS-AISH Publication; Schoellhamer, D. H.; Wright, S. A. |
| Citation Start Page: | 28 |
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| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Continuous measurement of suspended-sediment discharge in rivers by use of optical backscatterance sensors; 2003; Article; Journal; IAHS-AISH Publication; Schoellhamer, D. H.; Wright, S. A. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00 -0600 |
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