SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF SUSPENDED SEDIMENT IN MAXIMUM TURBIDITY ZONE AND ITS RESPONSE TO TIDAL DYNAMICS IN THE JIAOJIANG RIVER ESTUARY

摘要

This paper discusses the change of the size distribution of suspended sediment, both in the region and over the tidal cycle, by means of statistics and calculations of different size fractions and median diameters. It also indicates that the size distribution is mainly influenced by three factors, i.e. sediment sources, re-suspensions of the bottom sediment and flocculated settlings. Of which, the action of the resuspension is more remarkable during the spring tide than during the neap tide, while the action of the flocculation is more pronounced during the neap tide than during the spring tide.