Abstract

PERILLO, Gerardo M. E. Towards a nomenclature and classification of transversal bedforms generated by water flows. Rev. Asoc. Argent. Sedimentol. [online]. 2001, vol.8, n.2, pp.37-56. ISSN 1853-6360.

As it is common in many languages, Spanish-speaking researchers dealing with bedforms have developed a large variety of terms and classifications which, sometimes, are even contradictory. The main aim of the present article is to provide a nomenclature and classification scheme for transversal bedforms generated by water flows that can serve as the basis for a more elaborated product achieved after several iterations, with the consensus of these researchers. In particular, it is proposed the use of the word "dunas" for the transversal bedforms generated by water flows and "médanos" when the agent is wind. Bedforms are instabilities in the sediment-water interface. Particles displaced from one point in the bed are deposited in another producing a modification in the flow structure and inducing further deposition in and around these particles. The flow instability then propagates downcurrent inducing the formation of new bedforms. Even though there is general agreement about the main formation mechanisms for bedforms, there are many details about their genetic processes, and which variables affect them the most are still unknown. Different authors have suggested that water depth, grain size, presence/absence of fine (silt or clay) particles, flow velocity and asymmetry are some of the most important predicting variables. However, the correlations observed are far from satisfactory or are site or experiment-specific and seldom can be extrapolated to other environments. Some correlations such as H vs d and L vs d are given in figures 4 and 5. A nomenclature of transverse bedforms elements are given in figure 3. The proposed bedform classification for unidirectional flow is provided in figure 15 while a similar one for oscillatory flow is show in figure 16. In both cases the tables also indicate the proposed names in Spanish, but also the bottom areal configuration, the limiting dimensions, their relationship with the flow (longitudinal or transversal) and the flow configuration for each element. In the case of the unidirectional forms we added the original bed shape that developed the initial instability. Both classifications show a size increment for the smallest bedforms or the maximum possible with the considered flow. However, this is not indicative that an evolutionary criterion is attached. To develop a major bedform it is not necessary that all previous bedforms occur before. Nevertheless, it is common the presence of bedform hierarchies where several class elements are present simultaneously.

Keywords : Formas de fondo; Flujos unidireccionales; Flujos oscilatorios.

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