Assessing the Viability of Complex Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) with a Spatially Distributed Sensor Array for Imaging of River Bed Morphology: a Proof of Concept (Study)

This report was produced as part of a NERC funded ‘Connect A’ project to establish a new collaborative partnership between the University of Worcester (UW) and Q-par Angus Ltd. The project aim was to assess the potential of using complex Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) to image river bed morphology. An assessment of the viability of sensors inserted vertically into the channel margins to provide real-time or near real-time monitoring of bed morphology is reported. Funding has enabled UW to carry out a literature review of the use of EIT and existing methods used for river bed surveys, and outline the requirements of potential end-users. Q-par Angus has led technical developments and assessed the viability of EIT for this purpose. EIT is one of a suite of tomographic imaging techniques and has already been used as an imaging tool for medical analysis, industrial processing and geophysical site survey work. The method uses electrodes placed on the margins or boundary of the entity being imaged, and a current is applied to some and measured on the remaining ones. Tomographic reconstruction uses algorithms to estimate the distribution of conductivity within the object and produce an image of this distribution from impedance measurements. The advantages of the use of EIT lie with the inherent simplicity, low cost and portability of the hardware, the high speed of data acquisition for real-time or near real-time monitoring, robust sensors, and the object being monitored is done so in a non-invasive manner. The need for sophisticated image reconstruction algorithms, and providing images with adequate spatial resolution are key challenges. A literature review of the use of EIT suggests that to date, despite its many other applications, to the best of our knowledge only one study has utilised EIT for river survey work (Sambuelli et al 2002). The Sambuelli (2002) study supported the notion that EIT may provide an innovative way of describing river bed morphology in a cost effective way. However this study used an invasive sensor array, and therefore the potential for using EIT in a non-invasive way in a river environment is still to be tested. A review of existing methods to monitor river bed morphology indicates that a plethora of techniques have been applied by a range of disciplines including fluvial geomorphology, ecology and engineering. However, none provide non-invasive, low costs assessments in real-time or near real-time. Therefore, EIT has the potential to meet the requirements of end users that no existing technique can accomplish. Work led by Q-par Angus Ltd. has assessed the technical requirements of the proposed approach, including probe design and deployment, sensor array parameters, data acquisition, image reconstruction and test procedure. Consequently, the success of this collaboration, literature review, identification of the proposed approach and potential applications of this technique have encouraged the authors to seek further funding to test, develop and market this approach through the development of a new environmental sensor

ANALYZING THE LIFE-CYCLE OF UNSTABLE SLOPES USING APPLIED REMOTE SENSING WITHIN AN ASSET MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

An asset management framework provides a methodology for monitoring and maintaining assets, which include anthropogenic infrastructure (e.g., dams, embankments, and retaining structures) and natural geological features (e.g., soil and rock slopes). It is imperative that these assets operate efficiently, effectively, safely, and at a high standard since many assets are located along transportation corridors (highways, railways, and waterways) and can cause severe damage if compromised. Assets built on or around regions prone to natural hazards are at an increased risk of deterioration and failure. The objective of this study is to utilize remote sensing techniques such as InSAR, LiDAR, and optical photogrammetry to identify assets, assess past and current conditions, and perform long-term monitoring in transportation corridors and urbanized areas prone to natural hazards. Provided are examples of remote sensing techniques successfully applied to various asset management procedures: the characterization of rock slopes (Chapter 2), identification of potentially hazardous slopes along a railroad corridor (Chapter 3), monitoring subsidence rates of buildings in San Pedro, California (Chapter 4), and mapping displacement rates on dams in India (Chapter 5) and California (Chapter 6). A demonstration of how InSAR can be used to map slow landslides (those with a displacement rate \u3c 16 mm/year and may be undetectable without sensitive instrumentation) and update the California Landslide Inventory on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is provided in Chapter 7. Long-term landslide monitoring using optical photogrammetry, GPS, and InSAR measurements is also used to map landslide activity at three orders of magnitude (meter to millimeter scales) in Chapter 8. Remote sensing has proven to be an effective tool at measuring ground deformation, which is an implicit indicator of how geotechnical asset condition changes (e.g., deteriorates) over time. Incorporating these techniques into a geotechnical asset management framework will provide greater spatial and temporal data for preventative approaches towards natural hazards

Beurteilung des seismischen Verhaltens von grossen Talsperren mittels geomatischer Techniken und Finite Element Modeling

The safety and efficient maintenance of dams are primary aspects in the management of such strategic works. The need to combine the security with the containment of maintenance costs directly linked to the service life of the structure, requires innovative approaches beside traditional methods. In this respect, the limited accessibility of large dams does not facilitate the use of traditional survey techniques, although a reliable terrestrial survey is still necessary, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is well suited for this purpose. The aim of the present study is to provide a reconstruction procedure of a high detail FE model of a dam starting from an integrated UAV survey useful for a predictive and proactive maintenance of the dam system. In particular, the “Structure from Motion” (SfM) technique can be used for the reconstruction of 3D objects from 2D images. Therefore, after an integration of the UAV dense point cloud with pre-existing data sets such as design geometry, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the area and bathymetry of the lake, a 3D solid reconstruction of the whole dam system is possible. Important elements of the structure such as spillway, vertical joints and pulvino foundation joint and of ancillary works such as stilling basin and weight blocks are reproduced. In order to study the influence of joint modelling on the dynamic behaviour of the structure, three models have been analyzed: monolithic m., surface-to-surface joint m. and solid element joint m.. All simulations take into account the structure-foundation interaction by means of a rock mass solid and the fluid-structure interaction by means of acoustic elements. Modal analyses are therefore performed in order to obtain the dynamic properties of the models and to identify the representation which fits better with the real dynamic records (e.g. vibrodyne test, ambient vibrations). Subsequently, linear elastic dynamic analyses are performed to calibrate the damping coefficients of rock mass and structure. Finally, non-linearity is introduced in the joint elements performing non-linear dynamic damage analyses under severe earthquakes and, varying the water level, the damage distribution is investigated. The inclusion of vertical construction joints into finite element models of dams allows us to verify the behaviour of such real discontinuities under severe seismic events and therefore to verify the seismic vulnerability assessment of the whole structure.Die Sicherheit und effiziente Wartung von Staudämmen sind primäre Aspekte beim Management solcher strategischer Arbeiten. Die Notwendigkeit, die Sicherheit mit der Begrenzung von Instandhaltungskosten zu verbinden, die direkt mit der Lebensdauer der Struktur verbunden sind, erfordert innovative Ansätze neben traditionellen Methoden. In dieser Hinsicht erleichtert die beschränkte Zugänglichkeit großer Staudämme nicht die Verwendung traditioneller Vermessungstechniken, obwohl eine zuverlässige terrestrische Vermessung noch notwendig ist, ist die Verwendung von unbemannten Luftfahrzeugen (UAV) für diesen Zweck gut geeignet. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist es, ein Rekonstruktionsverfahren eines hochdetaillierten FE-Modells eines Damms ausgehend von einer integrierten UAV-Untersuchung zu erstellen, die für eine vorausschauende Instandhaltung des Staudammsystems nützlich ist. Ist nach einer Integration der UAV-Dichtepunktwolke mit bereits vorhandenen Datensätzen wie Entwurfsgeometrie, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) des Gebiets und Bathymetrie des Sees eine 3D-Rekonstruktion des gesamten Dammsystems möglich. Wichtige Elemente des Bauwerks werden wiedergegeben (i.e. Vertikalfugen, Nebenarbeiten). Um den Einfluss der Gelenkmodellierung auf das dynamische Verhalten der Struktur zu untersuchen, wurden drei Modelle analysiert: monolithische, Oberfläche-zu-Oberfläche-Verbindung und solid element joint. Alle Simulationen berücksichtigen die Struktur-Fundament-Wechselwirkung mittels eines Gesteinsmassenkörpers und die Fluid-Struktur-Wechselwirkung mittels akustischer Elemente. Es werden daher Modalanalysen durchgeführt, um die dynamischen Eigenschaften der Modelle zu erhalten und um die Darstellung zu identifizieren, die besser zu den realen dynamischen Aufzeichnungen passt. Anschließend werden lineare elastische dynamische Analysen durchgeführt, um die Dämpfungskoeffizienten von Gesteinsmasse und Struktur zu kalibrieren. Schließlich wird die Nichtlinearität in die Gelenkelemente eingeführt, die nichtlineare dynamische Schadensanalysen unter schweren Erdbeben durchführen. Bei der Variation des Wasserspiegels wird die Schadensverteilung untersucht. Die Einbeziehung von vertikalen Konstruktionsfugen in Finite-Elemente-Modelle von Dämmen ermöglicht es uns, das Verhalten solcher realen Diskontinuitäten unter schweren seismischen Ereignissen zu verifizieren und somit die Bewertung der seismischen Vulnerabilität der gesamten Struktur zu verifizieren

Earth Resources: A continuing bibliography, with indexes, issue 31

This bibliography lists 505 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis

UAVs for the Environmental Sciences

This book gives an overview of the usage of UAVs in environmental sciences covering technical basics, data acquisition with different sensors, data processing schemes and illustrating various examples of application

Characterisation and Analysis of Catastrophic Landslides and Related Processes using Digital Topographic Data

This thesis represents a large body of work that seeks to describe, quantify, and simulate the behaviour of large rock slope failures (> 1 Mm³), in the form of landslides and rock avalanches, and their secondary processes, such as landslide-dammed lakes, utilizing remotely sensed data. Remotely sensed data includes aerial photography, high resolution satellite imagery from various platforms (e.g. LANDSAT, ASTER, EO-1, SPOT), and digital topographic elevation models of the Earth’s surface (e.g. SRTM-3, ASTER GDEM2, LiDAR). This thesis focused on regions in northwest North America (British Columbia, Yukon Territory, and Alaska), and on regions in the Himalaya and Pamirs Mountain chains (Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, and India). These study regions are each highly dynamic landscapes, where the occurrence of rock slope failures per area is higher than non-mountainous regions, and these events are aiding to the shape and profile of the landscapes and surfaces found today. This thesis focuses on: 1) the ability to accurately calculate geometrics (e.g. areas, volumes, runouts, debris depths) for large scale landslides and their associated landslide dammed lakes (e.g. areas, volumes, outbursts), utilizing data from remotely sensed sources; 2) the attempt to successfully simulate the observed dynamics for both landslide emplacement and their resulting debris deposits (DAN-W, DAN3D), and possible outburst flood scenarios (FLO2D); and, 3) attempt to quantify the kinetic and specific energy involved in rock avalanches, and how these energetics relate to fragmentation, as well as the lateral spreading and thinning of debris sheets. The river valleys of the northwest Himalayas (Pakistan and India) and the adjacent Pamirs Mountains of Afghanistan and Tajikistan contain in excess of two hundred known rockslide deposits of unknown age that have interrupted surface drainage and previously dammed major rivers in the region in recent and prehistoric time. Some prehistoric rockslide dams in the northwest Himalayas have impounded massive lakes with volumes in excess of 20 Gm³. The region contains: 1) the highest rockslide dam in the world (the 1911 Usoi rockslide, Tajikistan), which impounds the current largest rockslide-dammed lake (Lake Sarez) on Earth (est. volume 17 Gm³); 2) the largest documented outburst flood (6.5 Gm³) associated with a historical rockslide dam outburst (the 1841 Indus Flood, Pakistan); and, 3) the world’s most recent rockslide-dammed lake emergency, the 2010 Attabad rockslide dam on the Hunza River, in the Upper Indus basin, including the newly created Lake Gojal. By accurately quantifying the volume of an impoundment, and the downstream valley topography (DEM), floodwave scenarios can be created for various breaching situations, allowing for the delineation of downstream inundation areas, or the creation of hazard and risk scenarios. Two methods are used to attempt to quantify the volumes of landslide-dammed lakes: 1) a contour interpolation method, focusing on the creation of contours to represent lake levels in the DEM data; and, 2) a new technique using digitized shorelines and statistical methods to obtain lake elevations on specific dates. A new technique has also been developed to quantify the larger block fragmentation from rock avalanches in the glacial environment, and a credible grain-size curve for the largest blocks can be obtained, aiding in the creation of a more complete grain-size curve for a particular event. The combination of landslides and their associated landslide dammed lakes are an important geomorphic process to study, as these events have a direct relationship to the hazard and risk faced by local communities living and working in these regions. By understanding the emplacement and deposit dynamics of large landslides and/or the outburst flood scenarios from naturally impounded reservoirs, we can attempt to reduce the direct impacts these events have to local communities.4 month

New Global Perspectives on Archaeological Prospection

This volume is a product of the 13th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection 2019, which was hosted by the Department of Environmental Science in the Faculty of Science at the Institute of Technology Sligo. The conference is held every two years under the banner of the International Society for Archaeological Prospection and this was the first time that the conference was held in Ireland. New Global Perspectives on Archaeological Prospection draws together over 90 papers addressing archaeological prospection techniques, methodologies and case studies from 33 countries across Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe and North America, reflecting current and global trends in archaeological prospection. At this particular ICAP meeting, specific consideration was given to the development and use of archaeological prospection in Ireland, archaeological feedback for the prospector, applications of prospection technology in the urban environment and the use of legacy data. Papers include novel research areas such as magnetometry near the equator, drone-mounted radar, microgravity assessment of tombs, marine electrical resistivity tomography, convolutional neural networks, data processing, automated interpretive workflows and modelling as well as recent improvements in remote sensing, multispectral imaging and visualisation

Geomorphic responses to natural and human disturbances in a mountain catchment at multiple temporal and spatial scales

Aquesta tesis es centra en l’estudi de la transferència d’aigua i sediments des de les àrees font de sediments fins les zones de sedimentació a múltiples escales temporals (des de dades amb una freqüència de cinc minuts fins informació de tot un segle) i espacials (des de vessants fins a conques), i les seves implicacions en la morfologia de la llera de la conca de l’Alt Cinca, una conca de muntanya localitzada al vessant sud dels Pirineus. A escala de micro-conca, les dades d’alta resolució obtingudes durant 5 anys en dos badlands contrastats (0.3 ha cadascun) revelen com la pluja controla els processos erosius associats a l’escolament superficial, m’entre que les baixes temperatures tenen una relació significativa amb els processos de moviments en massa. La morfometria d’aquestes superfícies, conjuntament amb la cobertura vegetal són factors clau que determinen els principals processos geomorfològics i els associats canvis topogràfics. Els principals processos observats han estat seqüències d’Erosió i Sedimentació (Cutting and Filling) i Moviments Gravitacionals (Mass Wasting). Tot i que els badlands tenen un paper important en la producció de sediments, el balanç de sediments de la conca del riu Soto (10 km2) indica que aquestes superfícies no sempre controlen l’exportació de sediments a la sortida de petites conques de muntanya amb caràcter intermitent. Aquest fet és degut a la fluctuació de la connectivitat funcional de la xarxa de drenatge causada per la freqüència i magnitud dels polsos d’aigua i sediments durant crescudes sobtades o flashy. La xarxa de drenatge actua com a font i zona d’emmagatzematge de sediments i es clau per entendre les marcades diferències que hi ha en la proporció del sediment que s’exporta en relació a la producció o també anomenat Sediment Delivery Ratio. Els canvis en els usos de sòl en moltes conques de muntanya constatats des de els anys 50 del segle XX tenen un efecte directe en la generació d’escolament (quantitat i magnitud) i en la producció de sediments. La majoria de la superfície de la conca de l’Alt Cinca (1565 km2) ha sofert aforestació, que ha resultat en una reducció de la connectivitat sedimentaria estructural. La construcció de terrasses afecta la connectivitat molt més que els canvis en la coberta del sòl. Les terrasses generalment redueixen la connectivitat degut a l’establiment de zones planes entre mig de zones en pendent. Contràriament, a una escala més local, les terrasses poden incrementar la connectivitat degut a la convergència de flux produïda per les pròpies estructures, o per la caiguda d’aquestes degut a l’abandonament. La construcció de carreteres modifica el pendent i la xarxa de drenatge, fet que comportarà canvis en la connectivitat estructural, que a la vegada poden afectar els processos erosius en les zones veïnes. Així, els fluxos d’aigua i sediments a la conca de l’Alt Cinca han estat àmpliament modificats durant l’últim segle, amb implicacions directes en la forma de la llera. A més a més, impactes locals derivats de les extraccions d’àrids, construcció d’esculleres i embasaments també han condicionat la dinàmica sedimentaria d’aquest riu, amb un impacte directe sobre la morfologia. Aquesta situació ha generat una metamorfosis de la morfologia del riu en la part baixa de l’Alt Cinca (12 km), canviant d’un patró trenat, molt dinàmic, a un patró més estable amb una tendència cap a canal únic. Els resultats obtinguts indiquen que el tram d’estudi està assolint un nou equilibri morfo-sedimentari imposat pels canvis en els fluxos d’aigua i sediments ocorreguts en el darrer segle, incloent les pertorbacions antròpiques que han modificat la geometria del canal i les característiques morfològiques de la llera. S’han observat un total de tres fases en la seva evolució: abans de l’any 1927, el tram d’estudi es trobava en una situació de quasi-equilibri majoritàriament condicionada per les riuades. Entre l’any 1927 i 2012 el riu s’ha ajustat a les diferents pertorbacions que ha tingut a múltiples escales temporals i espacials. Aquest ajust s’ha portat a terme mitjançant dos canvis contrastats en les característiques morfològiques. Finalment, després de l’any 2012, els resultats indiquen que el riu pot haver assolit de nou un nou equilibri, ajustant-se als fluxos d’aigua i sediment imposats i a la nova configuració del canal. Aquesta tesis presenta innovadors mètodes quantitatius per a l’estudi de la producció de sediments i la transferència entre els diferents compartiments de les conques fluvials. La principal novetat en la majoria dels capítols de la tesis recau en l’elevada resolució, de les dades obtingudes, tant temporal com espacial. Els resultats obtinguts en aquesta tesi permeten entendre millor el funcionament dels sistemes fluvials i la seva evolució, aspectes claus per donar suport en la millora i gestió de conques hidrogràfiques de muntanya.Esta tesis se centra en el estudio de la transferencia de agua y sedimentos desde las áreas fuente de sedimentos hasta las áreas de sedimentación a múltiples escales temporales (desde datos con una frecuencia de cinco minutos hasta información de un siglo) y espaciales (desde laderas hasta cuencas), y sus implicaciones en la morfología del cauce en la Cuenca del Alto Cinca (vertiente sur de los Pirineos). A escala de micro-cuenca, los datos de alta resolución obtenidos durante 5 años en dos badlands contrastados (0.3 ha cada uno) revelan como la lluvia controla los procesos erosivos asociados a la escorrentía superficial, mientras que las bajas temperaturas tienen una relación significativa con los procesos de movimientos en masa. La morfometría de estas superficies, conjuntamente con la cobertura vegetal, son factores clave que determinan los principales procesos geomorfológicos y los cambios topográficos asociados. Los principales procesos observados han sido secuencias de Erosión y Sedimentación (Cutting and Filling) y Movimientos Gravitacionales (Mass Wasting). Pese a que los badlands tienen un papel importante en la producción de sedimentos, el balance de sedimentos de la cuenca del rio Soto (10 km2) indica que estas superficies no siempre controlan la exportación de sedimentos a la salida de pequeñas cuencas de montaña con carácter intermitente. Esto principalmente se debe a la fluctuación de la conectividad funcional de la red de drenaje causada por la frecuencia y magnitud de los pulsos de agua y sedimentos durante las crecidas súbitas o flashy. La red de drenaje actúa como fuente y zona de almacenamiento de sedimentos, y es clave para entender las marcadas diferencias que hay en la proporción de sedimento que se exporta en relación a la producción o Sediment Delivery Ratio. Los cambios en los usos del suelo en muchas cuencas de montaña constatados desde los años 50 del siglo XX tienen un efecto directo en la generación de escorrentía (cantidad y magnitud) y en la producción de sedimentos. La mayoría de la superficie de la cuenca del Alto Cinca (1565 km2) ha sufrido forestación, que ha resultado en una reducción de la conectividad sedimentaria estructural. La construcción de terrazas afecta la conectividad mucho más que los cambios en la cobertura del suelo. A una escala más local, las terrazas pueden incrementar la conectividad debido a la convergencia de flujo producida por las propias estructuras, o por la caída de estas debido a su abandono. La construcción de carreteras modifica la pendiente y la red de drenaje, hecho que comporta cambios en la conectividad estructural, que a su vez pueden afectar a los procesos erosivos en las zonas vecinas. Así, los flujos de agua y sedimento en la cuenca del Alto Cinca han estado ampliamente modificados durante el último siglo, con implicaciones directas en la morfología del canal. Además, impactos locales derivados de las extracciones de áridos, construcción de escolleras y embalses también han condicionado la dinámica sedimentaria de este río, con un impacto directo sobre la morfología. Esta situación ha generado una metamorfosis de la morfología del río en la parte baja del Alto Cinca (12 km), cambiando de un patrón trenzado, muy dinámico, a un patrón más estable con una tendencia hacia el canal único. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el tramo de estudio está alcanzando un nuevo equilibrio morfo-sedimentario impuesto por los cambios en los flujos de agua y sedimentos ocurridos durante el último siglo, incluyendo las perturbaciones antrópicas que han modificado la geometría del canal y las características morfológicas del cauce. Se han observado un total de tres fases en su evolución: antes de 1927, el tramo de estudio se encontraba en una situación de casi-equilibrio, mayoritariamente controlada por las crecidas. Entre el año 1927 y 2012 el río se ha ajustado a las diferentes perturbaciones que ha tenido a múltiples escalas temporales y espaciales. Este ajuste se ha llevado a cabo mediante dos cambios contrastados en las características morfológicas. Finalmente, después del año 2012, los resultados indican que el río puede haber alcanzado un nuevo equilibrio, ajustándose a los flujos de agua y sedimento impuestos y la nueva configuración del canal. Esta tesis presenta innovadores métodos cuantitativos para el estudio de la producción de sedimentos y la transferencia entre los diferentes compartimentos de las cuencas fluviales. La principal novedad en la mayoría de los capítulos de la tesis recae en la elevada resolución de los datos obtenidos, tanto temporal como espacial. Los resultados obtenidos en esta tesis permiten entender mejor el funcionamiento de los sistemas fluviales y su evolución, aspectos clave para dar soporte y apoyo en la mejoría y gestión de cuencas hidrográficas de montaña.This thesis focusses on the study of water and sediment transfer from sources to sinks at multiple temporal (from 5-min data to a century data sets) and spatial (from slope to catchment scales) scales and their implications for channel morphology in the Upper Cinca catchment, a mountain catchment located in the Southern Pyrenees. At the micro-catchment scale, our 5-year High Resolution Data Set of two contrasted badlands (around 0.3 ha each) reveal as rainfall control overland-surface flow processes while low temperatures have a significant relation with mass movement-based processes. Morphometry together with vegetation cover are key factors determining main geomorphic processes and associated topographic changes. Main observed geomorphic processes were Cutting and Filling and Mass Wasting. Although badlands may have an important role on sediment production, the 2-year sediment budget of the Soto catchment (10 km2) indicates that badlands do not always control the export of sediments at the outlet of small intermittent mountain catchments. This is mainly due to the fluctuation of the functional connectivity of the channel network caused by the frequency and magnitude of water and sediment pulses during flashy floods. The channel drainage network acts as sediment source and sink and it is key to understand marked differences in the Sediment Delivery Ration. Land use and cover in many mountain catchments have been modified since the fifties of the 20th century, having a direct effect on runoff and sediment production. Most of the area of the Upper Cinca catchment (1565 km2) has undergone afforestation, which resulted in a decrease of structural sediment connectivity. Terracing affects connectivity much more than changes in land cover. Terraces generally reduce connectivity due to the establishment of flat areas between slopes and, contrarily, locally, may increase connectivity due the convergence produced by the structures or the collapse of terraces due to abandonment. Road construction, however, modify slope and the drainage network, which leads to changes in connectivity that could affect erosional processes in the neighbouring areas. Thus, water and sediment fluxes through the Upper Cinca are spatially and temporal dynamic and have been dramatically modified in the last century, with direct implications on channel morphology. Additionally, localised disturbances such as gravel mining, channel embankments and dams have also impacted on sedimentary dynamics, thus channel morphology. This situation led to a river metamorphosis, changing from a braided pattern to a more static channel towards a wandering pattern. We hypothesise that the lowermost 12-km reach of the Upper Cinca has reaching a new equilibrium imposed by catchment-scale changes of water and sediment fluxes caused by global changes, but also influenced by localised human-disturbances that modify channel geometry and morpho-sedimentary characteristics. Three phases were identified: before 1927, the reach remained in a quasi-equilibrium state imposed, mainly, by water and sediment supply during flood events. During the period 1927-2012 the river adjusted to the disequilibrium imposed by disturbances acting at different temporal and spatial scales, yielding two contrasted channel states. Finally, after 2012, we hypothesise that the river may be reaching again a new equilibrium, adjusting to the imposed water and sediment fluxes and the new channel configuration. This thesis presents some novel quantitative methods for the study of sediment production and transfer between the different compartments of fluvial catchments. The main transversal novelty in all the methods used in each chapter lies in the high resolution of the data obtained. This comprehensive analysis aids at understanding the functioning of the river system and their evolution based on multiple-scale disturbances, which can help to support integrated watershed management practices or plans