DESCRIBE THE UNDERLYING THEORY, CONCEPT, OR ISSUE WHICH FORMED THE BASIS OF YOUR ENQUIRY (6)
The fieldtrip involved a river investigation with the aim of studying the downstream changes along the Glenderaterra Beck (a tributary of the river Greta). We investigated how certain fluvial channel characteristics, namely (depth, width, load size, competence, gradient and wetted perimeter) change downstream in other to compare these changes to the Bradshaw’s model. We also looked at how stream order, drainage density, size of drainage basin, climate/weather coupled with human activities may alter or affect these variables. We then used the variables named above to work out others such as CSA (width x average depth), velocity (0.0277 + (3.281 /average time(s)), HR (CSA/WP) and river discharge (CSA x average velocity).
We also looked at the Hjulstrom curve to predict how load size is affected by river discharge which alters velocity and therefore certain crucial fluvial processes such as erosion, deposition and transportation. We then used statistical tests such as the mean, median, quartiles, percentiles etc. to compare and present our data collected whilst also linking them back to the Bradshaw’s model.
USING SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FORM YOUR FIELDWORK, DESCRIBE THE RISK ASSESSMENT YOU UNDERTOOK IN RELATION TO YOUR ENQUIRY.
Our enquiry was based on investigating changing channel characteristics downstream of the Glenderaterra Beck (a tributary of the river Greta) and comparing these changes to the Bradshaw’s model. We therefore had to undertake a risk assessment before starting the investigation. The primary risk as the cold weather. It was -3^C on the day of the enquiry. This in turn posed a number of other risks including freezing river waters themselves. If exposed to such conditions for long periods hypothermia was a possibility. Also, the ice and snow meant that the ground was very slippery and friction was reduced; posing a threat of physical injuries from falling...