Fine-grained sediments are ubiquitous in the environment and play a major role in shaping the landscapes we live in today. In the face of global climate change, it will become increasingly important to understand their fate in open water bodies in order to make reliable statements about their dynamics.
A fascinating feature unique to fine-grained sediments is their ability to flocculate, which is caused by the cohesive properties of the individual particles. Flocculation can result in large and complex structures that fundamentally alter the transport dynamics of these sediments.
In this talk, we will explore the three main mechanisms of flocculation
- (1) Brownian motion,
- (2) differential settling, and
- (3) fluid shear.
We will do this through a series of small-scale experiments and corresponding grain-resolving simulations in order to gain insight into the micro-mechanics of these processes and to assess their importance for environmental engineering.