Flocculation of mud in mud bank at Purakad, Kerala Coast

Abstract

Results of laboratory experiments on flocculation and settlement of suspended mud under various salt concentrations in 3 different mud samples from the mud bank region are discussed. Flocculated settlement varies considerably with the grain size composition, and the mud of mud bank shows close response to salinity fluctuations. Rapid changes in settlement rate take place below 5 ppt, above which the changes are comparatively slow. Limitations of the jar experiment are discussed in detail. The results when applied to the mud bank region show that in the mud bank, even during monsoon, flocculated settlement prevails over deflocculated suspension and indicate that there is a continuous supply of suspended mud to the water column so that the mud bank continues to exist throughout the monsoon season.