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Multimodal particle size distributions of fine-grained sediments: mathematical modeling and field investigation

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Abstract

Multimodal particle size distributions (PSDs) of fine-grained cohesive sediments are common in marine and coastal environments. The curve-fitting software in this study decomposed such multimodal PSDs into subordinate log-normal PSDs. Four modal peaks, consisting of four-level ordered structures of primary particles, flocculi, microflocs, and macroflocs, were identified and found to alternately rise and sink in a flow-varying tidal cycle due to shear-dependent flocculation. The four modal PSD could be simplified further into two discrete size groups of flocculi and flocs. This allowed the development of a two-class population balance equation (TCPBE) model with flocculi and flocs to simulate flocculation involving multimodal PSDs. The one-dimensional vertical (1-DV) TCPBE model further incorporated the Navier-Stokes equation with the k-ε turbulence closure and the sediment mass balance equations. Multimodal flocculation as well as turbulent flow and sediment transport in a flow-varying tidal cycle could be simulated well using the proposed model. The 1-DV TCPBE was concluded to be the simplest model that is capable of simulating multimodal flocculation in the turbulent flow field of marine and coastal zones.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the Flemish Science Foundation (FWO Vlaanderen) for funding the FWO project no. G.0263.08 and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences—MUMM for funding the OMFLOC project. This study was funded partly by the Maritime Access Division of the Ministry of the Flemish Community (MOMO project). The mooring and recuperation of the tripod was carried out with the RV Belgica funded by the Belgian Science Policy. The measurements would not have been possible without the technical assistance of L. Naudts and his team (Measuring Service of RBINS-OD Nature, Oostende).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Constructional and Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 2559 Gyeongsang-daero, Sangju, Gyeongbuk, 742-711, South Korea

    Byung Joon Lee

  2. Hydraulics Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 40, 3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Erik Toorman

  3. OD Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Gulledelle 100, 1200, Brussels, Belgium

    Michael Fettweis

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  1. Byung Joon Lee
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  2. Erik Toorman
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  3. Michael Fettweis
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Correspondence to Byung Joon Lee.

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Responsible Editor: Han Winterwerp

This article is part of the Topical Collection on the 11th International Conference on Cohesive Sediment Transport

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Lee, B.J., Toorman, E. & Fettweis, M. Multimodal particle size distributions of fine-grained sediments: mathematical modeling and field investigation. Ocean Dynamics 64, 429–441 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-014-0692-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-014-0692-y

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