Fluid mud transportation at water wedge in the Changjiang Estuary

In situ data show that fluid mud of the Changjiang Estuary consists of fine sediment ranging from 8 to 11.5μm (median grain-size) including 28.8%-36.4% of clay. The composition of the clay is illite, chlorite, kaolinite and montmoillonite. The FM is a layer of high sediment concentration near the bed and results from flocculation under the environment of salt and fresh water mixing. Three kinds of FM have been identified under typical dynamic conditions: the first one is formed at slack water of ebb tide during the flood season, with the characteristics of extended area and low thickness; the second one is formed following a storm, characterized by large area and larger thickness; the third one is formed around the front of the saltwater wedge, characterized by small area but large thickness. In the dredged channel, the FM can be accumulated up to 1 m thick. In general, FM will change with the alternation from spring to neap tides, flood and dry seasons. Drastic change can happen during storms. At the s     

Field measurements of bottom boundary layer processes and sediment resuspension in the Changjiang Estuary

A field observation of the hydrodynamics and the sediment resuspension in a bottom boundary layer was carried out in the Changjiang Estuary, during July-August 1997. Using bottom field research facilities, detailed measurements of near-bottom currents and suspended sediment concentration distribution within 1.0 m above bed have been obtained in the Changjiang Estuary——a high concentration estuary. An Acoustic Suspended Sediment Monitor (ASSM) wasused to observe near bed sediment resuspension processes. In addition, the log-profile method was applied to estimating hydraulic roughness Z0 and bottom shear stress values (or friction velocities u). Further understanding of sediment suspension mechanics and hydrodynamic characteristics will require the long-term measurements of near bed processes.