Subaqueous geomorphology and delta dynamics of Lake Brienz (Switzerland): implications for the sediment budget in the alpine realm
Non-invasive techniques such as seismic investigations and high-resolution multibeam sonars immensely improved our understanding of the geomorphology and sediment regimes in both the lacustrine and the marine domain. However, only few studies provide quantifications of basin wide-sediment budgets in...
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Published in | Swiss Journal of geosciences Vol. 114; no. 1; p. 22 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Cham
Springer International Publishing
01.12.2021
Springer Nature B.V SpringerOpen |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Non-invasive techniques such as seismic investigations and high-resolution multibeam sonars immensely improved our understanding of the geomorphology and sediment regimes in both the lacustrine and the marine domain. However, only few studies provide quantifications of basin wide-sediment budgets in lakes. Here, we use the combination of high-resolution bathymetric mapping and seismic reflection data to quantify the sediment budget in an alpine lake. The new bathymetric data of Lake Brienz reveal three distinct geomorphological areas: slopes with intercalated terraces, a flat basin plain, and delta areas with subaquatic channel systems. Quasi-4D seismic reflection data allow sediment budgeting of the lake with a total sediment input of 5.54 × 10
6
t sediment over 15 years of which three-quarter were deposited in the basin plain. Lake Brienz yields extraordinarily high sedimentation rates of 3.0 cm/yr in the basin plain, much more than in other Swiss lakes. This can be explained by (i) its role as first sedimentary sink in a high-alpine catchment, and by (ii) its morphology with subaquatic channel-complexes allowing an efficient sediment transfer from proximal to distal areas of the lake. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Editorial handling: Wilfried Winkler. |
ISSN: | 1661-8726 1661-8734 |
DOI: | 10.1186/s00015-021-00399-1 |