Examples of spatial and temporal variations of some fine-grained suspended particle characteristics in two Danish coastal water bodies

Abstract

In June and September of 1999, a LISST-100 in situ laser diffraction particle sizer was used to analyse the temporal and spatial variation of the beam attenuation coefficient, the in situ median particle (aggregate) diameter and the median volume concentration of suspended matter in two Danish coastal water bodies. One of the study sites was generally exposed to wind, while the other was quite sheltered. Measurements of the mass concentration of total suspended matter and chl a were made simultaneously. The in situ median effective density, settling velocity and vertical flux of the suspended matter are computed. Results demonstrate that in September, the in situ median aggregate diameter, settling velocity and vertical flux was smaller (by a factor of up to 16) and the concentration higher (by a factor of up to almost two) than in June. This is attributed to varying degrees of turbulence in the water in the weeks preceding the field work, causing aggregates to break up (lowering in situ aggregate diameter and settling velocity) and sediment to be resuspended (increasing concentration) in September. The fractal dimension of the suspended aggregates is estimated. The fractal dimension is found to increase from June to September at both study sites, supporting the notion of aggregate break-up in September due to turbulence in the upper part of the water column. An algae bloom occurred at the sheltered study site in September. In situ particle size spectra from this site demonstrated increasing aggregate sizes towards the bottom. It is suggested, that the increase in size is due to biologically induced aggregation, causing large aggregates to settle out of the upper part of the water column, leaving finer particles and aggregates behind.