The quality of freshwater is influenced by a diverse range of factors—including biological indicators, physico-chemical properties (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity), physical characteristics (river and sediment morphology), and anthropogenic impacts (pollution, infrastructure, modifications, etc.). These elements interact to maintain the ecological balance of river systems. Yet, as human activity intensifies, some rivers—known as “receptor environments”—experience elevated turbidity levels, leading to ecological degradation and sediment clogging.
This PhD project aims to develop a clogging indicator to complement traditional measurements of turbidity and flow. This indicator will help quantify clogging and sediment deposition and highlight anthropogenic impacts—such as agriculture, deforestation, trail creation, and mining—on adjacent river systems.
To achieve this, continuous turbidity and flow measurement stations will be installed in agricultural zones, both upstream and downstream of impacted areas, to calculate sediment fluxes. Additional monitoring stations will also be set up near mining operations and trail-building sites.