Publication
The dynamics of sediments entering lakes in river plumes is virtually unknown. This field study provides unprecedented evidence of the initiation and evolution of suspended sediment flocculation in the nearfield of the negatively-buoyant Rh & ocirc;ne River plume, flowing as interflow in the thermocline of stratified Lake Geneva. Sediment floc property changes (formation, size, composition, shape) with depth and distance from the mouth, were determined by combining digital holographic camera LISST-HOLO data with full-depth in situ profiles of particle size (LISST-100X), density, turbidity, currents and water samples taken along the plume path. The total suspended matter volume of inflowing Rh & ocirc;ne River waters (similar to 155 mg l(-1)) mostly consisted of clays (