V. N. Mikhailov

Processes of delta formation in the mouth area of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers

The evolution of the Ganges and Brahmaputra river delta during the Holocene period is discussed. Particular attention is given to the processes of delta formation, the dynamics of the delta hydrographic systems, the channel processes in river branches, as well as to the dynamics of the delta coastline and nearshore zone bed over the last 150–200 years. The calculation of sediment budget in the mouth area of these rivers is presented.

Hypersalinization of River Estuaries in West Africa

Regularities in processes of seawater intrusion into the rivers of Senegal, Saloum, Gambia, and Casamance in West Africa are analyzed. The seawater intrusion during the low-flow period, which is a common phenomenon for the lower reaches of these rivers, has taken on extreme features in the course of the severe drought that occurred in West Africa in the 1970s–1980s. The processes of progressing water salinization in estuaries under the impact of drastic reduction of atmospheric precipitation and river runoff, considerable evaporation water losses, and tides are described. Due consideration is given to the unique hydrological phenomenon, i.e., the so-called reverse estuary. The Senegal River mouth is taken as a case study of cyclic variations in runoff, water salinity, and distance of saltwater penetration into the river. Certain environmental consequences of water salinization are discussed using the Casamance River estuary as an example. Methods used in Africa to prevent seawater intrusion and salinization of estuaries harmful for the environment and economy are described in this article.

New Definitions, Regionalization, and Typification of River Mouth Areas and Estuaries as Their Parts

The problems of studying river mouth areas and their parts, namely, estuaries and deltas are discussed. The step is taken to combine the concept of river mouth area and mouth processes developed in our country with the concept for estuary and estuarine processes widely spread among foreign scientists. In this connection, the article offers new definitions of a river mouth area and estuary as well as new schemes of regionalization of river mouth areas and typification of estuaries. The types of river mouth areas and estuaries are illustrated by case studies.

Hydrological and Morphological Processes in the Kura River Delta

Peculiarities of the development of the Kura Delta over the last 200 years are discussed. As shown, changes in the delta were greatly affected by the Caspian Sea level drop during 1929–1977 and its rise during 1978–1995 as well as by natural and human-induced variations in the water and sediment runoff of the river. It was noted that the delta area decreased by nearly 40% as a result of the sea level rise. The following significant changes in the Kura Delta were revealed in recent years using space images: river water rushed through the right mouth spit and, hence, the main Southeastern Branch was devoid of its flow and a new sea spit began its formation in the branch mouth using wave-cut products.

Peculiarities of the hydrological regime of the Ganges and Brahmaputra river mouth area

The basic peculiarities of the hydrological regime of one of the largest mouth areas of the world, i.e., the common mouth of the rivers of Ganges and Brahmaputra, are discussed. The main features of natural conditions (including climatic) of the mouth of these rivers and the delta drainage system are characterized. The hydrological regime of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, the largest rivers of South Asia, is studied in greater detail; the quantitative assessments of the water and sediment runoff of these rivers are specified. Provision is made for revealing the basic peculiarities of river flow distribution among numerous delta branches, annual floods during southwest monsoons, tidal phenomena in the maritime zone of the delta, and disastrous storm surges and inundations in the period of tropical cyclones. Flood control measures taken in Bangladesh to protect the population and lands are described.

Extreme hydrological events in the Danube River basin over the last decades

The article discusses the considerable changes in hydrometeorological conditions that occurred in the Danube River basin over the period from the late XX century to the early XXI century. Mention is made of the air and water temperature rise, softening of ice conditions, and, above all, the noticeable increase in the river water runoff. Particular attention is given to the recent extreme hydrological events in the Danube River basin: the disastrous rainfall flood that occurred in August 2002, the extremely high spring-summer floods in 2006 and 2010, and the extraordinary low-flow period in summer 2003. The meteorological reasons for these events have been analyzed. Specific features in the development and transformation of flood waves along the Danube River are discussed in detail, including the impact of the Iron Gate-1 Reservoir on these processes.

Regularities in sea level rise impact on the hydrological regime and morphological structure of river deltas

The problem of assessment of sea level rise impact on the hydrological regime and morphological structure of river deltas is discussed. Studies of the response of river deltas, which are among the most vulnerable natural objects, to the sea level rise has become urgent because of the global climate warming and the associated acceleration of the World Ocean level rise. Methods are described that can be used for the analysis, calculation, and prediction of sea level rise impact on submergence of deltas, propagation of backwater from the sea tides, surges, and salt seawater intrusion. Special emphasis is given to channel processes in delta branches, which accompany sea level rise, as well as to delta coastline erosion and flow redistribution among branches. In the course of research, due consideration was taken of the experience gained in studying the response of river deltas on the Caspian Sea coasts to the recent considerable level rise in this water body.

Hydrological regime, morphological features and natural territorial complexes of the Irrawaddy River Delta (Myanmar)

Hydrological and morphological features of the multiple-branched tidal delta of the Irrawaddy River are discussed. Close attention is given to the impact of the interaction of seasonal variations of the river flow and tides on the delta regime. The results of analysis of the deltaic natural complexes using space photographs are presented. The issues of rational use and conservation of the natural resources of the delta are studied.

Hydrological Regime and Morphodynamics of the Yangtze River Mouth Area

The features of the hydrological regime, modern morphological structure, fluviomorphological processes, and the history of formation of the Yangtze River mouth area are discussed. The influence of the huge river water and sediment runoff and tides on the hydrological and morphological processes in the Yangtze River mouth is shown. The possible impact of construction of the large waterworks “Three Gorges” on the hydrological and morphological processes in the Yangtze River mouth is roughly evaluated.

Delta formation processes at the Mississippi River mouth

Specific processes of delta formation at the Mississippi River mouth are discussed. In the last 7000–8000 years, a series of large deltaic lobes was formed in succession at the Mississippi River mouth under the condition of high river sediment runoff and stabilization of the ocean level after its sudden postglacial rise. In the mid-XX century, the formation of a new deltaic lobe began at the Atchafalaya Branch mouth. Over the last centuries, the processes of delta formation at the Mississippi River mouth slowed down as a result of the river sediment runoff decrease after flow regulation of the Missouri and Arkansas tributaries; in some parts of the deltaic plain, these processes gave way to degradation of marshes and seashore erosion under the impact of intense land subsidence. The current processes of delta formation are under the great influence of local economic activities.