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Management of fluid Mud in estuaries, bays, and lakes: I. Present state of understanding on character and behavior
McAnally, W.H.; Friedrichs, C.T.; Hamilton, D.; Hayter, E.J.; Shrestha, P.; Rodriguez, H.N.; Sheremet, A.; Teeter, A. (2007). Management of fluid Mud in estuaries, bays, and lakes: I. Present state of understanding on character and behavior. J. Hydraul. Eng. 133(1): 9-22
In: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): New York, NY. ISSN 0733-9429; e-ISSN 1943-7900, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Modelling
    Properties > Sediment properties
    Sediments
    Sediments > Clastics > Mud > Fluid mud
    Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Bays
    Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
    Water bodies > Inland waters > Lakes

Authors  Top 
  • McAnally, W.H.
  • Friedrichs, C.T.
  • Hamilton, D.
  • Hayter, E.J.
  • Shrestha, P.
  • Rodriguez, H.N.
  • Sheremet, A.
  • Teeter, A.

Abstract
    Fluid mud is a high concentration aqueous suspension of fine-grained sediment in which settling is substantially hindered. It constitutes a significant management problem in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and shelves by impeding navigation, reducing water quality and damaging equipment. Fluid mud accumulations have been observed in numerous locations worldwide, including Savannah Harbor, U.S., the Severn Estuary, U.K., and the Amazon River Delta, Brazil. This paper describes the present state of knowledge on fluid mud characteristics, processes, and modeling. Fluid mud consists of water, clay-sized particles, and organic material and displays a variety of rheological behaviors ranging from elastic to pseudo-plastic. It forms by three principle mechanisms: (1) the rate of sediment aggregation and settling into the near-bottom layer exceeds the dewatering rate of the suspension; (2) soft sediment beds fluidized by wave agitation; and (3) convergence of horizontally advected suspensions. Once formed, fluid mud is transported vertically by entrainment and horizontally by shear flows, gravity, and streaming. If not resuspended, it slowly consolidates to form bed material. Quantitative relationships have been formulated for key fluid mud formation and movement mechanisms, but they rely on empirical coefficients that are often site or situation-specific and are not generally transferable. Research to define general relationships is needed.

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