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Computing time-series suspended-sediment concentrations and loads from in-stream turbidity-sensor and streamflow data

January 1, 2010

Over the last decade, use of a method for computing suspended-sediment concentration and loads using turbidity sensors—primarily nephelometry, but also optical backscatter—has proliferated. Because an in- itu turbidity sensor is capa le of measuring turbidity instantaneously, a turbidity time series can be recorded and related directly to time-varying suspended-sediment concentrations. Depending on the suspended-sediment characteristics of the measurement site, this method can be more reliable and, in many cases, a more accurate means for computing suspended-sediment concentrations and loads than traditional U.S. Geological Survey computational methods.


Guidelines and procedures for estimating time s ries of suspended-sediment concentration and loading as a function of turbidity and streamflow data have been published in a U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods Report, Book 3, Chapter C4. This paper is a summary of these guidelines and discusses some of the concepts, s atistical procedures, and techniques used to maintain a multiyear suspended sediment time series.

Publication Year 2010
Title Computing time-series suspended-sediment concentrations and loads from in-stream turbidity-sensor and streamflow data
Authors Patrick P. Rasmussen, John R. Gray, G. Doug Glysson, Andrew C. Ziegler
Publication Type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Index ID 70120689
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Office of Surface Water
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