Multimodality of a particle size distribution of cohesive suspended particulate matters in a coastal zone

Particle Size Distributions (PSDs) of suspended particulate matters in a coastal zone are log-normal and multimodal in general. The multimodal PSD, which is caused by the mixing of multiple particle and aggregate size groups under flocculation and erosion/resuspension, is a record of the particle and aggregate dynamics in a coastal zone. Curve-fitting software was used to decompose the multimodal PSD into subordinate log-normal PSDs of primary particles, flocculi, microflocs and macroflocs. The curve-fitting analysis for a time series of multimodal PSDs in the Belgian coastal zone showed the dependency of the multimodality on (1) shear-dependent flocculation in a flood and ebb tide, (2) breakage-resistant flocculation in the spring season and (3) silt-sized particle erosion and advection in a storm surge. Also, for modeling and simulation purposes, the curve-fitting analysis and the settling flux estimation for the multimodal PSDs showed the possibility of using discrete groups of primary particles, flocculi, microflocs and macroflocs as an approximation of a continuous multimodal PSD.

Publication year:2012

BOF-keylabel:yes

IOF-keylabel:yes

BOF-publication weight:6

CSS-citation score:3

Authors:International

Authors from:Government, Higher Education