Browsing by Author "Noack, Markus"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Open Access
Bayesian calibration and validation of a large‐scale and time‐demanding sediment transport model
(2020) Beckers, Felix; Heredia, Andrés; Noack, Markus; Nowak, Wolfgang; Wieprecht, Silke; Oladyshkin, Sergey
This study suggests a stochastic Bayesian approach for calibrating and validating morphodynamic sediment transport models and for quantifying parametric uncertainties in order to alleviate limitations of conventional (manual, deterministic) calibration procedures. The applicability of our method is shown for a large‐scale (11.0 km) and time‐demanding (9.14 hr for the period 2002-2013) 2‐D morphodynamic sediment transport model of the Lower River Salzach and for three most sensitive input parameters (critical Shields parameter, grain roughness, and grain size distribution). Since Bayesian methods require a significant number of simulation runs, this work proposes to construct a surrogate model, here with the arbitrary polynomial chaos technique. The surrogate model is constructed from a limited set of runs (n=20) of the full complex sediment transport model. Then, Monte Carlo‐based techniques for Bayesian calibration are used with the surrogate model (105 realizations in 4 hr). The results demonstrate that following Bayesian principles and iterative Bayesian updating of the surrogate model (10 iterations) enables to identify the most probable ranges of the three calibration parameters. Model verification based on the maximum a posteriori parameter combination indicates that the surrogate model accurately replicates the morphodynamic behavior of the sediment transport model for both calibration (RMSE = 0.31 m) and validation (RMSE = 0.42 m). Furthermore, it is shown that the surrogate model is highly effective in lowering the total computational time for Bayesian calibration, validation, and uncertainty analysis. As a whole, this provides more realistic calibration and validation of morphodynamic sediment transport models with quantified uncertainty in less time compared to conventional calibration procedures.
Open Access
Colmation: Unravelling physical interactions of surface and subsurface processes
(Stuttgart : Universität Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems, 2024) Koca, Kaan; Haun, Stefan; Wieprecht, Silke; Noack, Markus
Colmation, the infiltration and accumulation of fine sediment in gravel riverbeds, is a natural process in riverine ecosystems. However, when excessive amounts of fine sediments are transported into rivers due to human activities (e.g., intensive agriculture, mining), they can substantially clog the pores of the riverbed, reduce its hydraulic conductivity, usually leading to detrimental impacts on water quality and ecological health. Despite extensive research on colmation, considerable knowledge gaps exist regarding the spatio-temporal dynamics and interactions between near-bed and interstitial flow and processes governing colmation. This is mainly due to the lack of measurement methods that can be utilized at pore scale without disturbing the natural environment. To this end, we developed a novel smart sensor capable of monitoring and measuring sediment infiltration and deposition processes within the pores of the gravel bed. The developed sensor was compared to the industry standard gamma-ray computer tomography (Gamma CT), exhibiting good agreement across a range of infiltrating particle sizes, from sand to fine gravel. Flume experiments further demonstrated the reliability of the smart sensor in acquiring spatially-distributed information on sediment deposition dynamics at high temporal resolution and with reproducible results. While persistent technical malfunctions hindered the acquisition of interstitial flow measurements using an endoscopic PIV system, the developed sensor alone provides valuable insights into sediment accumulation processes, making it a promising tool for engineers, geomorphologists, and ecologists. A potential combination of our sensor with pore-scale velocity measurements and/or eddy-resolving simulations can be considered in the future to elucidate the interactions between local flow fields and progressive pore occlusion by fine sediments. In this respect, our contribution does not only fill a critical gap in our ability to non-destructively monitor sediment deposition process in the interstitial pore space, but also offers the potential for supporting development of more realistic, high-resolution numerical models, which are essential for understanding subsurface-surface interactions at larger scales and finally coming up with sustainable management strategies.
Open Access
Combining field and laboratory measurements to determine the erosion risk of cohesive sediments best
(2015) Noack, Markus; Gerbersdorf, Sabine Ulrike; Hillebrand, Gudrun; Wieprecht, Silke
In contrast to non-cohesive sediments, the incipient motion of cohesive sediments is characterized by much more complex interactions between several sedimentary, biological, and chemical parameters. Thus, site-specific investigations are required to obtain information about the erosion stability of cohesive materials. This becomes even more relevant for contaminated sediments, stored in riverine sediments as a “burden of the past”, because of their remobilization potential during flood events. This article represents a twofold measuring strategy for the detection of erosion thresholds: an in situ device for determination of critical shear stresses in the field, and a laboratory approach where sediment cores are withdrawn and subsequently analyzed over depth. The combined measuring strategy was applied in the River Elbe and at selected sites of the catchment of the River Saale. The results show a great variety of erosion thresholds over depth, demonstrating the need to conduct vertical analyses, especially when addressing buried layers with contaminations. The latter is only possible in the laboratory but the in situ device revealed clear benefits in capturing the loose flocculent layer on top of the sediment that might be easily lost during sediment retrieval and transport. Consequently, it is ideal to combine both approaches for a comprehensive insight into sediment stability.
Open Access
High spatio‐temporal resolution measurements of cohesive sediment erosion
(2020) Beckers, Felix; Inskeep, Caleb; Haun, Stefan; Schmid, Gerhard; Wieprecht, Silke; Noack, Markus
In this study, we present a novel approach to measure fundamental processes of cohesive sediment erosion. The experimental setup consists of a laboratory erosion flume (SETEG) and a photogrammetric method to detect sediment erosion (PHOTOSED). Detailed data are presented for three erosion experiments, which were conducted with a natural non‐cohesive/cohesive sediment mixture at increasing sediment depths (4, 8, 16 cm). In each experiment, the sediment was exposed to a set of incrementally increasing shear stresses and the erosion was measured dynamically, pixel‐based, and approximate to the process scale given the resolution of PHOTOSED. This enables us to distinguish between (i) individual emerging erosion spots caused by surface erosion and (ii) large holes torn open by detached aggregate chunks. Moreover, interrelated processes were observed, such as (iii) propagation of the erosion in the longitudinal and lateral direction leading to merging of disconnected erosion areas and (iv) progressive vertical erosion of already affected areas. By complementing the (bulk) erosion volume profiles with additional quantitative variables, which contain spatial information (erosion area, specific deepening, number of disconnected erosion areas), conclusions on the erosion behaviour (and the dominant processes) can be drawn without requiring qualitative information (such as visual observations). In addition, we provide figures indicating the spatio‐temporal erosion variability and the (bulk) erosion rates for selected time periods. We evaluate the variability by statistical quantities and show that significant erosion is mainly confined to only a few events during temporal progression, but then considerably exceeds the time‐averaged median of the erosion (factors between 7.0 and 16.0). Further, we point to uncertainties in using (bulk) erosion rates to assess cohesive sediment erosion and particularly the underlying processes. As a whole, the results emphasise the need to measure cohesive sediment erosion with high spatio‐temporal resolution to obtain reliable and robust information.
Open Access
Modelling approach for interstitial sediment dynamics and reproduction of gravel-spawning fish
(2012) Noack, Markus; Wieprecht, Silke (Prof. Dr.-Ing.)
The complexity and dynamic nature of ecosystem processes impose high requirements on the approaches, methods and modelling techniques applied to support ecological assessments of rivers. Particularly the interactions of abiotic and biotic variables, the high spatial and temporal variability of parameters and processes and the interdisciplinary research field present a special challenge on the development of appropriate tools. Given the naturally dynamic creation, destruction and maintenance of habitat templates in rivers (habitat dynamics) the habitat can be regarded as a basic element of fluvial ecosystems. Accordingly, high demands are placed on aquatic habitat modelling techniques emphasizing the need for the improvement and further development of existing approaches. The present study predominantly addresses three research fields encompassing the hydromorphology, the fluvial ecology and the hyporheic interstitial of rivers. All disciplines are involved by interacting processes defining the quality of reproduction habitats for gravel-spawning fish. This work is focused on implementing the hydromorphological and hyporheic variability in physical habitat modelling considering all variables that describe the habitat in their spatial and temporal variability to allow a dynamic representation of habitat suitability. The reproduction period of gravel-spawning fish works as an excellent indicator for interstitial habitats, as the life-stages during reproduction are characterised by high requirements on the habitat. Based on the abiotic description of the environment a multi-step habitat modelling framework is developed that addresses each life-stage during the reproduction by an appropriate selection of key habitat variables that are linked via a multivariate fuzzy-logic model to simulate habitat suitability indices of each life stage during the reproduction period. The last step of the modelling framework includes the aggregation of the dynamic habitat values to a temporally integrated parameter and the final result of the modelling framework, the reproduction habitat suitability. The proposed multi-step habitat modelling framework is applied in a mountainous river reach downstream of a dam and produced reliable results. The simulated habitat suitability indices for each life-stage during reproduction allow for a representation of physical habitats in the form of spatial distribution maps for different time-steps, time-series for different locations and an integrated habitat supply over the entire reproduction period. This provides highly valuable information about habitat dynamics as all spatially and temporally varying input variables are considered in the multi-step habitat modelling framework. Consequently a direct identification of occurring bottlenecks during the reproduction of brown trout is feasible and can be referred back to responsible habitat variables. In the case study it is found that the spawning and emergence stages are not limiting the reproduction success and the most restricting conditions occurred during hatching. These limitations are predominantly caused by critical temperatures during the winter season and critical permeability conditions due to sediment infiltration processes during the regulated flow period. The aggregated reproduction habitat suitability contains the summarized effects of all varying abiotic conditions during the reproduction period of gravel-spawning fish and allows for a quick identification of the availability and quality of reproductive habitats. Although the obtained results provide valuable results it is worth noting that models in general are never able to fully reflect the dynamic behaviour of rivers and its ecological relations given their numerous and complex interactions. The simplification of the physical and ecological processes requires a well-founded verification of obtained simulation results against field observations and reference sites. The highest benefit of the proposed modelling framework comprises the spatial and temporal consideration of conventional and new habitat variables resulting in a detailed representation of habitat dynamic processes occurring in river reaches. Further, the presented work is the first attempt to simulate the quality of reproduction habitats for gravel-spawning fish using physical habitat modelling. Possible future applications predominantly include the support of ecological impact assessments but also the applicability as an instrument supporting the management and planning processes of restoration measures (e.g. for re-establishing reproducing fish population in rivers) as the simulation of reproduction habitats presents one fundamental process for the development of stable fish populations.
Open Access
A multi‐parameter approach to quantify riverbed clogging and vertical hyporheic connectivity
(2023) Negreiros, Beatriz; Aybar Galdos, Alcides; Seitz, Lydia; Noack, Markus; Schwindt, Sebastian; Wieprecht, Silke; Haun, Stefan
Riverbed clogging is key to assessing vertical connectivity in the hyporheic zone and is often quantified using single-parameter or qualitative approaches. However, clogging is driven by multiple, interacting physical and bio-geochemical parameters, which do not allow for a conclusive assessment of hyporheic connectivity with single-parameter approaches. In addition, existing qualitative assessments lack transparency and repeatability. This study introduces a Multi-Parameter Approach to quantify Clogging and vertical hyporheic connectivity (MultiPAC), which builds on standardized measurements of physical (grain size characteristics, porosity, hydraulic conductivity) and bio-geochemical (interstitial dissolved oxygen) parameters. We apply MultiPAC at three gravel-bed rivers and show how the set of parameters provides a representative appreciation of physical riverbed clogging, thus quantifying vertical hyporheic connectivity. However, more parameters are required to fully characterize biological clogging. In addition, MultiPAC locates clogged layers in the hyporheic zone through multi-parameter vertical profiles over the riverbed depth. The discussion outlines the relevance of MultiPAC to guide field surveys.