Flow structure and phosphorus adsorption in bed sediment at a 90° channel confluence

Abstract

The distribution of the phosphorus (P) adsorption in a bed sediment at channel confluences is an important issue for understanding the transport of contaminants in channel networks. In this study, the flow structure and its effect on the P distribution in the bed sediment were investigated in a 90° confluence flume. It is shown that the P adsorption amount in the sediment varies significantly in different hydrodynamic zones. The P adsorption amount is high in the flow separation zone where the horizontal velocity of the flow is very small, and it is low in the maximum velocity zone where the flow velocity reaches a maximum. The low P adsorption amount is observed in the downstream portion of the distorted shear layer, while the P enrichment is found in the upstream portion, as is related to the significant downwelling flow in this zone. Thus, the flow structure, especially, the flow velocity, has a significant effect on the distribution of the P adsorption in the bed sediment at the channel confluences.