Ultrasonic measurements of suspended sediment concentrations at Harris Bayou, Mississippi

The use of ultrasonic acoustic technology to measure the concentration of fine suspended sediments has the potential to greatly increase the temporal and spatial resolution of sediment measurements while reducing the need for personnel to be present at gauging stations during storm events. In collaboration with the USGS, a customized field deployable system was installed to monitor fine sediment particles, less than 100 micron in diameter, in suspension at Harris Bayou near Alligator, MS. Calibration measurements show good agreement between laboratory grade equipment and the new prototype system. The field unit consists of two immersion ultrasonic transducers measuring attenuation of 20 MHz acoustic signals propagated through suspended particles. The results of field prototype will be presented here.