Hyperconcentrated flows as influenced by coupled wind-water processes

摘要

Using data from more than 40 rivers in the middle Yellow River basin, a study has been made of the influence of coupled wind-water processes on hyperconcentrated flows. A simple "vehicle" model has been proposed to describe hyperconcentrated flows. The liquid phase of two-phase flows is a "vehicle", in which coarse sediment particles are carried as solid-phase. The formation and characteristics of hyperconcentrated flows are closely related with the formation and characteristics of this liquid-phase and solid-phase. Surface materials and geomorphic agents of the middle Yellow River basin form some patterns of combination, which have deep influence on the formation and characteristics of liquid- and solid-phases of hyperconcentrated flows. The combination of high percentages of relatively coarse material with low percentages of fine material appears in the area predominated by the wind process, where the supply of relatively coarse sediment is sufficient, but the supply of relatively coarse sediment is not. The combination of low percentages of relatively coarse material with high percentages of fine material appears in the area predominated by the water process, where the supply of fine sediment is sufficient, but the supply of fine sediment is not. In the area predominated by coupled wind-water processes appears the combination of medium percentages of coarse and fine materials, and thus both coarse and fine sediments are in relatively sufficient supply.