Size distribution and settling velocities of suspended particles in a tidal embayment

Field studies were carried out to investigate seasonal and bay-wide variations in the particle size distributions (PSDs) and settling velocities of suspended particles in Newport Bay, the second largest tidal embayment in southern California. Maximum Entropy Classification (MEC) of the data identified three PSD groups: (1) suspended particles with a single mode around 10–20 μm (Group 1), (2) suspended particles with a single mode similar to Group 1, but shifted to smaller particle sizes (Group 2), and (3) suspended particles with a coarse mode at around 100 μm (Group 3). The three PSD groups have distinct seasonal and spatial patterns, and different size-settling velocity relationships, consistent with the hypothesis that Newport Bay longitudinally fractionates allochthonous particles from its tributaries by both size and settling velocity, and generates large and fast settling autochthonous particles, probably in the form of biological debris. Particle concentrations in Groups 1 and 2 are significantly correlated with fecal indicator bacteria, suggesting possible linkages between fecal pollution and particle transfer in this tidal embayment.

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► We characterize the size distribution and settling velocity of suspended particles.
► Maximum Entropy Classification of PSD identifies different suspended particle groups.
► The Bay longitudinally fractionates allochthonous particles from its tributaries.
►  PSD data suggest possible linkages between fecal pollution and particle transfer.