Transport of Fine Sediments in MarineWaterbodies Near River Mouths: Preliminary Results

Transport of fine sediments depends mainly on the efficiency of flocculation. Flocculation, understood as the result of simultaneous processes of aggregation of particles and floc break-up, is a common phenomenon in marine environments. It is typical of fine sediments. This study presents a mathematical model of fine sediment transport. A model of flocculation is an important part of this model. Its main assumption is that flocculation is governed by turbulence. The model was qualitatively tested in a simplified theoretical waterbody. Such factors as the wind direction, wind speed, river discharge and concentration of suspension in the river were investigated. The results show that the proposed model describes reasonably well the lithodynamic processes characteristic of fine flocculating sediments. Thus it seems possible to apply it for description of fine sediment transport under real wave–current conditions that occur in many marine waterbodies near river mouths.