SSC Sediment Concentration Effects

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Sediment Instruments for all Environments

SSC (Sediment-concentration) Effects This information supplied by: D & A Instrument Company / Copyright 2005, all rights reserved.

Of all the factors that influence the signal output of a light-scattering sensor, SSC has the largest effect. The concentration of suspended sediment over time and from place to place can easily change by a factor of 1000. In large rivers for example, it is not unusual for SSC to vary from several mg l^-1 to several thousand mg l^-1. The most linear response to such changes in SSC is obtained with a backscatter-measuring sensor such as our OBS-3 and OBS-5+. Most other designs cannot respond to them.


Reference: Kineke, G.C & R.W. Sternberg. 1992. Measurements of High Concentration Suspended Sediments Using the Optical Backscatterance Sensor. Marine Geology. Vol.108, pp. 253-258. Schoellhamer, D. & Scott Wright. 2003. Continuous Measurement of Suspended-Sediment Discharge in Rivers by Use of Optical Backscatterance Sensors. Technological & Methodological Advances, International Association of Hydrologic Sciences, IAHS Pub. 283, Oslo, Norway. pp. 28-38. Butt T., J. Miles, P. Ganderton & P. Russell. 2002. A Simple Method for Calibrating Optical Backscatter Sensors in High Concentrations of Non-Cohesive Sediments. Marine Geology. Vol. 192 (4) pp. 419-424. Bunt, J.A.C., P. Larcombea & C. F. Jagob. 1999. Quantifying the Response of Optical Backscatter Devices & Transmissometers to Variations in Suspended Particulate Matter. Continental Shelf Research. Vol. 19 (9) pp. 1199-1220.