Factors Controlling Mud Floc Settling Velocity in a Highly Turbid Macrotidal Fluvial-Estuarine System

Abstract

This study assesses the settling dynamics of suspended sediments along the hyper-turbid Gironde Garonne fluvial-estuarine system, with an innovative optical SCAF instrument (System of Characterization of Aggregates and Flocs). Two fields campaigns were carried out to determine the settling velocity and properties of suspended sediments during a semi-diurnal tidal cycle, as well as hydrodynamic conditions and water properties. The two sampling stations were representative of two regions: a tidal river dominated by fresh water and an estuary affected by salty or brackish waters. A high spatial variability of the settling velocity was observed along the fluvial-estuarine system and vertically along the water column. Settling velocities ranged from 0.02 to 0.4 mm/s. This study confirms that in hyper-turbid systems, the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is predominantly driving the settling dynamics of suspended sediment. Threshold concentrations have been defined for the flocculation and hindered regimes where the settling velocity may vary by one order of magnitude. Although in natural environments it is difficult to distinguish between the effects of SSC and turbulence (as they are correlated), in the Gironde-Garonne system the turbulent shear G seems to affect the settling of suspended sediment to a lower extent. Settling velocity variations cannot be directly correlated to salinity or organic matter content. Despite differences in hydrodynamic and environmental conditions in fluvial and estuarine regions, a common prediction law has been found to estimate settling velocity of suspended sediment as a function of suspended sediment concentration.