Hydro-meteorological influences and multimodal suspended particle size distributions in the Belgian nearshore area

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration and particle size distribution (PSD) were assessed in a coastal turbidity maximum area (southern North Sea) during a composite period of 37 days in January–April 2008. PSDs were measured with a LISST 100X and classified using entropy analysis in terms of subtidal alongshore flow. The PSDs during tide-dominated conditions showed distinct multimodal behaviour due to flocculation, revealing that the building blocks of flocs consist of primary particles (<3 µm) and flocculi (15 µm). Flocculi comprise clusters of clay minerals, whereas primary par... Mehr ...