Flocculation process of fine-grained sediments by the combined effect of salinity and humus in the Changjiang Estuary

For the great amount of organic compounds and the variation of salinity in the Changjiang Estuary, the study on the flocculation process of fine-grained sediments by the combined effect of salinity and humus in the high-turbid system is of critical significance for the understanding of the mechanism of the formation of the turbidity maximum (TM). For the great amount of organic compounds and the variation of salinity in the Changjiang Estuary, the study on the flocculation process of fine-grained sediments by the combined effect of salinity and humus in the high-turbid system is of critical significance for the understanding of the mechanism of the formation of the turbidity maximum (TM). The effects of salinity and humus on the fine-grained sediments have been analyzed through the synthetic study of the aspects of flocculation/ coagulation power (F), diameter (D) and zeta potential (Z). And the microcosmic configuration of the flocs has been analyzed by using a scan electron microscope and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry. The results show that: (1) with the increase of salinity, F and D become greater and Z becomes smaller, and with the increase of the concentration of humus, F becomes smaller, but D and Z become greater; (2) the microcosmic configuration of the flocculation shows that humus packs on the fine sediments in the form of salt, and the flocculation model of C - P - OM (C stands for clay; P cations; OM organic materials) can successfully demonstrate the mechanism of the formation of the fine-grained sediments in the high-turbid area of the Changjiang Estuary.