In order to investigate the role of consolidation processes on the sediment transport in a macrotidal estuary, a simple vertical model of fluid mud consolidation has been coupled to a cross-averaged sediment transport model in the Loire estuary. Simulations show that sediment patterns (turbidity maximum and fluid mud location) are few dependent on consolidation. On the other hand, the consolidation influences the residual deposition after a springeap tidal cycle and thus the net transport of sediment through the estuary. It is pointed out that consolidation is in competition with turbulence damping so that both processes have to be considered when predictive simulations are wanted.
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