The aim of this sub-project is the identification of the main physico-chemical factors, which determine the resuspension and deposition behaviour of fine sediments. The quantification of the particle charge and the determination of the relation of charge to shape and size as well as the physico-chemical properties of the organic substances, which are present during aggregation, are of great importance. An emphasis is put on the examination of the role of natural organic matter (NOM) in these processes.
The investigation will be carried out in two phases. Firstly, the extracted river sediments will be analysed to obtain particle-size distribution and chemical composition. Based on the results of particle analysis, a modelsediment will be created. Natural organic matter will be eluted from sediments and analysed using several analytical methods.

In the second part, the modelsediment is used to study the adsorption of hydrophobic and hydrophilic pollutants and the influence of turbulence and various physico-chemical conditions on the adsorption behaviour of the pollutants. The experimental data obtained during two phases will finally be used to model the erosion, aggregation and deposition behaviour of fine sediments.

The sub-project TP8 is carried out in cooperating with the Institute for Hydromechanics, University of Karlsruhe (TH), Prof. Jirka, TP2) focussed on the study of floc-dynamics and the behaviour of suspensions in turbulences.