A historical review of sediment export–import shift in the North Branch of Changjiang Estuary

• Published in: Earth surface processes and landforms 2022-01, Vol.47 (1), p.5-16
• Main Authors: Guo, Leicheng, Xie, Weiming, Xu, Fan, Wang, Xianye, Zhu, Chunyan, Meng, Yi, Zhang, Weiguo, He, Qing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accretion; Aggradation; Changjiang; Channels; Dominance; Embankments; Estuaries; Estuarine dynamics; flood dominance; Fluvial sediments; Historical account; Human influences; Imports; Meandering; morphodynamics; Positive feedback; Realignment; Reclamation; regime shift; Restoration; Ridges; River channels; Rivers; Sand; Sand bars; Satellite imagery; Sediment; Sediment transport; Spaceborne remote sensing; Tidal bores; Tidal currents; Tidal flats; Tidal flow
• ISSN: 0197-9337; 1096-9837
• DOI: 10.1002/esp.5084

Net sediment transport is predominantly seaward in fluvial‐dominated estuaries worldwide. However, a distributary branch in the Changjiang Estuary, the North Branch, undergoes net landward sediment transport, which leads to severe channel aggradation. Its controlling mechanism and the role of human activities remain insufficiently understood, although such knowledge is necessary for better management and restoration opportunities. In this study we revisit the centennial hydro‐morphodynamic evolution of the North Branch based on historical maps, field data, and satellite images and provide a synthesis of the regime change from ebb to flood dominance. The North Branch was once a major river and ebb‐dominant distributary channel. Within which alternative meandering channels and sand bars developed. Deposition of river‐borne sediment leads to infilling of the branch, while tidal flat embankment reduces the bankfull width and modifies the channel configuration, resulting in a profound decline in the sub‐tidal flow partition rate. The North Branch then becomes tide‐dominant with an occurrence of tidal bores and elongated sand ridges. Once tidal dominance is established, extensive tidal flat reclamation enhances the funnel‐shaped planform, amplifying the incoming tides and initiating a positive feedback process that links tidal flat loss, sediment import, and channel aggradation. Overall, the shift in branch dominance is a combined result of a natural southeastward realignment of the deltaic distributary channels and extensive reclamation. One management option to mitigate channel aggradation is to stop the aggressive reclamation and allow tidal flats to build up, which might reduce the sediment import and eventually lead to a morphodynamic equilibrium in the longer term. Understanding the impact of tidal flat reclamation is informative for the management of similar tidal systems under strong human interference. The North Branch in Changjiang Estuary was once an ebb dominant channel with significant river influence a century ago. Nowadays it is flood dominant with severe sediment import and channel infilling. Here we revisit its centennial hydro‐morphodynamic evolution and find that the regime shift was ascribed to the modified configuration of the inflow segment (reduced partition of river flow) and tidal flat reclamation within the branch (amplified tide). Both changes are somehow related to human activities in history.