Abstract The Padma-Meghna-Arial Khan (PMA) interfluve lies at the centre of the flow paths of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna rivers and is very close to the Meghna estuary, the principal corridor for transporting the large sedimentary load to the Bay of Bengal. In this context, millennial-, centennial-, and decadal-scale river path migration, stream sinuosity, and the pedogenic properties of soil pedons/profiles in the meander scroll zones of the interfluve were assessed to evaluate the dynamic nature of interfluve development. The study is based on historical maps, toposheets, Google Earth Pro satellite imagery, soil resource maps, and detailed soil field characteristics. The results showed significant channel-shifting events on millennial, centennial, and decadal scales. Decadal-scale river shifting (1988–2020) revealed interchanging erosion and accretion zones in the area. Though the PMA interfluve indicates a declining trend in erosion, an overall net loss of land to the river is estimated at approximately 68.7 sq. km. However, this net land loss is not solely due to river erosion but also results from a combination of lateral channel migration, flooding, sediment redistribution, and possible subsidence. The measured sinuosity of the different reaches of the Arial Khan River during the studied period (1988–2020) led to their classification into three zones. Among these zones, Zone-2 showed a signature of aggradation and, in turn, indicates subsidence, which aligns with the Gopalganj-Khulna Beel in the southwest of the study area. Four meander scroll zones were identified within the PMA interfluve. The pedogenic characteristics of 16 pedons in these scroll zones suggest distinct phases of floodplain development, with Scroll Zone-3 exhibiting the strongest level of pedogenesis and Scroll Zone-4 the weakest. Based on pedogenic development, the meander scroll zones may be ranked as Scroll Zone-3 > Scroll Zone-1 > Scroll Zone-2 > Scroll Zone-4. This ranking also suggests their relative landform development and stability. Research highlights <UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> River shifting is a frequent phenomenon in the GBM-delta. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Episodes of river shifting are preserved as ridges and swells, forming meander scrolls. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Pedogenic characteristics bear the signatures of landform stability. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList>

River metamorphosis and the evolution of the Padma-Meghna-Arial Khan interfluve, the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta: remote sensing, geomorphic, and pedological approaches

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年8月3日

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Md Abu Ziad,
Md Sharif Hossain Khan,
Md Sakawat Hossain

摘要

Abstract

The Padma-Meghna-Arial Khan (PMA) interfluve lies at the centre of the flow paths of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna rivers and is very close to the Meghna estuary, the principal corridor for transporting the large sedimentary load to the Bay of Bengal. In this context, millennial-, centennial-, and decadal-scale river path migration, stream sinuosity, and the pedogenic properties of soil pedons/profiles in the meander scroll zones of the interfluve were assessed to evaluate the dynamic nature of interfluve development. The study is based on historical maps, toposheets, Google Earth Pro satellite imagery, soil resource maps, and detailed soil field characteristics. The results showed significant channel-shifting events on millennial, centennial, and decadal scales. Decadal-scale river shifting (1988–2020) revealed interchanging erosion and accretion zones in the area. Though the PMA interfluve indicates a declining trend in erosion, an overall net loss of land to the river is estimated at approximately 68.7 sq. km. However, this net land loss is not solely due to river erosion but also results from a combination of lateral channel migration, flooding, sediment redistribution, and possible subsidence. The measured sinuosity of the different reaches of the Arial Khan River during the studied period (1988–2020) led to their classification into three zones. Among these zones, Zone-2 showed a signature of aggradation and, in turn, indicates subsidence, which aligns with the Gopalganj-Khulna Beel in the southwest of the study area. Four meander scroll zones were identified within the PMA interfluve. The pedogenic characteristics of 16 pedons in these scroll zones suggest distinct phases of floodplain development, with Scroll Zone-3 exhibiting the strongest level of pedogenesis and Scroll Zone-4 the weakest. Based on pedogenic development, the meander scroll zones may be ranked as Scroll Zone-3 > Scroll Zone-1 > Scroll Zone-2 > Scroll Zone-4. This ranking also suggests their relative landform development and stability.

Research highlights

River shifting is a frequent phenomenon in the GBM-delta.

Episodes of river shifting are preserved as ridges and swells, forming meander scrolls.

Pedogenic characteristics bear the signatures of landform stability.