The mean suspended sediment concentration profile of silty sediments under wave-dominant conditions. (15th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zuo, Liqin; Roelvink, Dano; Lu, Yongjun
• Is Part Of: Continental shelf research. Volume 186(2019)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2019-09-15
• Subjects: Sediment concentration profile -- Eddy viscosity -- Sediment diffusivity -- Silty sediment -- Rippled bed -- Flat bed; Continental shelf -- Periodicals; Submarine geology -- Periodicals; 551.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.csr.2019.07.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-4343

Abstract

Abstract: Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is one of the fundamental topics in sediment study. The parameterization of the SSC profile of silty sediments is still under-researched. This study focuses on the mean SSC profile for silty sediments under non-breaking wave-dominant conditions. First, inspired by a 1DV model, different types of the distribution of mean eddy viscosity were proposed, i.e., a toe-type distribution over flat bed and a constant-toe type distribution over rippled bed. Then, the time-averaged diffusion equation for suspended sediment transport was analytically solved, and expressions for the mean SSC profiles were derived. The expressions involve several basic physical processes, including the effects of bed forms, stratification, hindered settling and mobile bed. Verification using a number of experimental datasets showed that the proposed expressions can properly calculate the mean SSC for silt and are applicable for sand as well. In conclusion, this research provides an approach to estimate the mean SSC for silty sediments under wave-dominant conditions, which is expected to be applicable for engineering practice and numerical modelling. Highlights: Formulations for mean SSC (suspended sediment concentration) profile of silty sediments were derived. Several essential physical processes were considered in the formulations. The SSC profiles over rippled bed and hydrodynamically plane bed were simulated.