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Size and settling velocity distributions of flocs in the Tamar estuary during a tidal cycle

Netherland Journal of Aquatic Ecology volume 28, pages 275–282 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

Data extracted from video recordings of individual estuarine flocs near the estuary bed during the advance and retreat of the salt intrusion show changes in size and settling velocity distributions. The recordings were taken using INSSEV —IN Situ SEttling Velocity instrument. Size coupled with effective density variations due to both changes in floc structure and ambient salinity result in changes in the settling velocity during the tidal cycle. In particular, just after high water slack, the appearance of high settling velocity medium size flocs and individual particles suggest that the lower density flocs have been broken up by the intense vertical shear in the currents caused by the salt wedge intrusion. Current shear is shown to have a significant influence on floc effective density.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA, Plymouth, UK

    M. J. Fennessy, K. R. Dyer & D. A. Huntley

Authors
  1. M. J. Fennessy
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  2. K. R. Dyer
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  3. D. A. Huntley
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Fennessy, M.J., Dyer, K.R. & Huntley, D.A. Size and settling velocity distributions of flocs in the Tamar estuary during a tidal cycle. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 28, 275–282 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02334195

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02334195

Keywords

  • Flocs
  • settling velocity
  • size distribution
  • Tamar Estuary