Using magnetic resonance imaging for experimental analysis of fine‐sediment infiltration into gravel beds |
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| Authors: | HEATHER HAYNES ELISA VIGNAGA WILLIAM M HOLMES |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8LT, UK (E‐mail: haynes@civil.gla.ac.uk);2. Glasgow Experimental MRI Centre, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK |
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| Abstract: | Sedimentologists recognize that development of a fine‐resolution, truly three‐dimensional analytical tool is essential if the internal structure of an opaque material is to be examined. This paper therefore seeks to: (i) test the viability of magnetic resonance imaging for sedimentological research; and (ii) investigate fine‐sediment infiltration into gravel beds. The results of six experiments are analysed quantitatively using Image J post‐processing software. Data indicate that magnetic resonance imaging‐based measurements of particle axes and volumes are comparable with standard laboratory techniques. Furthermore, the technique permits visualization and analysis of differences in the pattern of fine‐sediment infiltration (median particle diameter, d) into a framework of gravel (median particle diameter, D). Data clearly illustrate a siltation process for samples of D/d = 34 and a sealing process for samples of D/d = 7 where the seal is restricted to a depth equal to 2D. This pore‐scale visualization is valuable to the understanding of hydraulic–sediment–habitat interactions. |
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| Keywords: | Experimentation flume magnetic resonance imaging open channel flow sediment deposition |
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