Using an optical settling column to assess suspension characteristics within the free, flocculation, and hindered settling regimes

PurposeInstruments able to measure the settling velocity distribution (SVD) and investigate the flocculation behavior of suspensions for a wide range of concentrations and settling regimes are required to understand and model sediment transport in headwater catchments. Such knowledge will improve our water resource management capabilities.Materials and methodsAn optical settling column, equipped with a vertical array of optical sensors, was …