Surface charge distribution and its impact on interactions between sediment particles

Abstract

Surface charge distribution has great impact on interactions between sediment particles, which is essential for flocculation studies. In this paper, the micro-morphology and surface charge distribution of quartz sand are measured using the electrical force microscope. Then, the statistical relationship between micro-morphology and surface charge distribution is obtained. Results show that quartz sand possesses a complex surface morphology, which has great impact on the charge distribution. Positive and negative charges mostly concentrate in the saddle, convex, and concave parts of the surface, while their distribution is less in the groove, ridge, and flat parts. A fitting equation between surface charge and non-spherical curvature is also obtained. The surface charge distribution on a mathematical sediment particle is then reproduced according to these relations, and the effect of charge heterogeneity on interactions between different particles is quantified and analyzed, indicating that surface charge distribution has a dramatic effect on interactions between sediment particles, and local surface potential is more important than the average surface potential. This study provides a new method for understanding the processes of flocculation in coastal and estuarine zones.