Geomorphological and Sedimentological Indicators of Contemporary Erosion Processes: An Example of the Eastern Rhodopes Mountains (Bulgaria)

Abstract

Erosion processes, triggered by water, occur and propagate on sloping surfaces and have a significant negative impact on the soil quality and vegetation, as well as cause a change of the topographic surface. In the long term, they can lead to an increase in sediment transport, siltation of dams, and higher flood hazard. The development of water erosion reflects on the slope profile and the specific landforms like rills and gullies. In this regard, the geomorphological features of the areas can be considered indicators of the spatial distribution of erosion and accumulation. The sediment properties give information about the conditions of the transport and the intensity of the hydrogeomorphic processes. The current study aims to analyse the short-term changes in erosion and deposition by application of morphometry and grain size analysis. Topographic wetness index (TWI) and cross-section profiles of two small gullies were analysed based on high-resolution digital terrain models (DTMs), generated from unmanned aerial system (UAS) data. Remote sensing was combined with field geomorphological research and sediment sampling. The results of the research show about average 2 cm change in erosion and deposition for the period October 2021 – November 2022. Despite TWI and cross-section profiles depending on the DTMs resolution, they are reliable indicators for erosion and deposition. The grain size analysis supports the morphometric analysis. Coarse to very fine sands are predominant in most cases of sediment sampling. The sorting coefficient shows very poorly to moderately sorted deposits which indicates transport in a more dynamic environment and temporary flow.