Morpho-sedimentary evolution of a microtidal meandering channel driven by 130 years of natural and anthropogenic modifications of the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

Tidal channels form the pathways for tidal currents to propagate and distribute clastic sediments and nutrients, thus providing a primary control on tidal-landscape ecomorphodynamics. Most tidal channels in both estuarine and lagoonal environments have a tendency to meander, yet very few studies exist that investigate the full spectrum of processes controlling tidal meander morpho-sedimentary evolution. The Venice Lagoon (Italy) offers a unique opportunity to shed light on this topic, because a long record of morphological and sedimentary data is available, which allows one to relate tidal channel evolution to the hydrodynamic and morphological changes undergone by the lagoon. In particular, during the last 130 years, feedback between rising relative sea levels and anthropogenic interventions has caused severe modifications of the Lagoon hydro- and morphodynamics. Here we investigate how these modifications fed back into the morpho-sedimentary evolution of a meandering tidal channel located in the northern lagoon. Combining extensive datasets of aerial photographs, topographic and bathymetric surveys, geophysical investigations, sedimentary core analysis, and numerical modelling, we show that enhanced local tidal ranges and water discharges determined adjustments of channel cross-sectional geometries proportional to increasing tidal prisms, while changes in local tidal asymmetries caused modifications of the local sediment transport regime, resulting in the development of bar-pool patterns according to the dominant tidal phase. Such bar-pool patterns eventually determined channel migration through a bar-push mechanism controlled by a fluvial-like, quasi-linear relationship between local channel curvature and lateral migration rates. Critical differences in sediment transport regime are, however, highlighted between fluvial and tidal meanders the latter being potentially characterized by high concentrations of suspended sediment during periods of slack waters when wind-driven sediment transport processes are not negligible. This could hamper the formation of high-relief bedforms, with profound implications for the sedimentology of tidal point-bar deposits.

Automated summary

Tidal channels play a crucial role in the distribution of sediments and nutrients, affecting the ecomorphodynamics of tidal landscapes. The Venice Lagoon in Italy provides a unique opportunity to study the evolution of tidal channels and their relationship with hydrodynamic changes. This study reveals the feedback mechanisms between rising sea levels, human interventions, and the morpho-sedimentary evolution of meandering tidal channels in the lagoon.