Controls on effective settling velocities of mud flocs in the Changjiang Estuary,China

Theoretical and experimental studies were undertaken to gain insight into physical parameters controlling the flocculation and settling properties of mud flocs in the Changjiang Estuary, China. The Rouse equation is applied to vertical profiles of suspended sediment concentration to determine the bulk mean settling velocity (w_s) of sediment suspended in the Changjiang Estuary. Both in situ point‐sampled and acoustically measured profiles of suspended mud concentrations were fit selectively. The calculated settling velocities w_s mainly ranged from 0·4 to 4·1 mm s^?1 for the point‐sampled data set, and from 1·0 to 3·0 mm s^?1 for the acoustically measured data set. Furthermore, the settling velocities of mud flocs increased with mean concentration (C?) of mud flocs in suspension and were proportional to increasing bottom shear stress (τ_b) of tidal flow. The best equation for the field settling velocity of mud flocs in the Changjiang Estuary can be expressed by the power law: w_s = mC?ⁿ (m, 1·14–2·37; n, 0·84–1·03). It is suggested that C? and τ_b were the dominant physical parameters controlling the flocculation and w_s of mud flocs in suspension. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.