Title

Turbidity Based Suspended Sediment Fluxes in the Owenabue Catchment, Ireland

Authors

Sean T. Harrington, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork
Joseph R. Harrington, School of Building & Civil Engineering, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown Campus, Cork, IrelandFollow

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8131-4762

Document Type

Book Part

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering | Engineering

Publication Details

Proceedings of the Collaborative European Research Conference 2011. © 2010 Cork Institute of Technology.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a field monitoring programme for turbidity and suspended sediment concentrations (C) at Ballea Bridge on the River Owenabue in the South Western River Basin District (SWRBD). The turbidity data has been used as a surrogate for C and coupled to river flow data to estimate suspended sediment fluxes. Weekly water samples were collected and tested for C and turbidity using a portable turbidity unit and the results analysed. Analysis shows that in-situ turbidity is an excellent surrogate for C (r2 = 0.967). This paper highlights the disproportionate impact that high intensity short duration events have on the transport of suspended sediment and highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of C for estimation of accurate suspended sediment fluxes.

Recommended Citation

Harrington, S.T. and Harrington, J.R., 2011,‘Turbidity based suspended sediment fluxes in the Ow’enabue catchment Ireland’, In: Stengel, U. Bleimaan, B. Humm and P. Walsh (eds.). Proceedings of the Collaborative European Research Conference 2011, pp 101-111, Blackrock Castle, Cork, Ireland.