Abstract

The role of major factors influencing characteristics of sediment yield was revealed. Regional specifics of sediment transport regime, flow turbidity and sediment grain size composition of rivers draining the Zailiyskiy and the Dzhungarskiy Alatau Mountains were studied. Values of sediment yield and flow turbidity, their spatial and temporal variations, new relationships and formulas for calculation of the basic characteristics of sediment yield revealed in this study can in the future be applied to unexplored mountain rivers of the region. Grain size composition of suspended and bedload sediment was investigated in detail. Maps of flow turbidity and percentage of fine fractions in the suspended sediment composition were compiled. Environmental aspects of application of the sediment yield data were considered.

Keywords: sediment yield, runoff, sediment grain size, ionic flow, self-cleaning, water quality