Riverine particles undergo a rapid transformation when they reach the land-ocean interface. The rapid succession of hydrodynamic and biogeochemical regimes forces the particles to flocculate and settle. However, the net effect (i.e., net rates of floc growth and settling) depends on the nature of the particles and aqueous chemistry, especially on the types and quantities of organic matter as well as salinity. To quantitatively investigate the riverine and estuarine flocculation, laboratory flocculation experiments were conducted using surrogate riverine particles (i.e., sodium montmorillonite) with and without organic matter (i.e., guar gum, xanthan gum and humic substances) at a range of salinity. The experimental results were modeled using the newly established flocculation model based on the population balance equation (PBE). We found that the quantitative understanding of the flocculation dynamics of riverine particles cannot be achieved without thorough characterization of organic matter types, quantity and salinity.

Influence of organic matter and salinity on flocculation of montmorillonite: Population balance equation (PBE) modeling

245th National Meeting (2013)

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