The variation of the floc population in the Changjiang Estuary has been studied for both winter and summer season as a function of the presence of living (micro)algae. The influence of algae has been characterized through the use of the chlorophyll-a concentration to suspended sediment concentration (CC/SSC) ratio. Two whole tidal cycle sampling campaigns were carried out and a full set of parameters (particle size distribution, particle concentration, salinity, velocities, chlorophyll-a concentration) was recorded as function of time for 6 vertical depths. It is found that the floc population can be described by three particle classes. The two most dynamic classes (microflocs and macroflocs) co-exist in the water column. It was nonetheless found, due to the correlation between CC/SSC and particle sizes that the system is at steady state, both in summer and in winter. This can be explained by the limited flocculation ability between the classes due to their segregation in the water column. In winter, macroflocs are found at the top of the water column but their amount and size are very reduced with a mean CC/SSC value of 13 ± 11 μg g⁻¹. In summer, algae-rich macroflocs are abundant at the top of the water column with a mean CC/SSC value of 21 ± 18 μg g⁻¹, especially at flood tide. Microflocs, on the other hand, have a higher density and are generally found deeper in the water column. At high water slack, both macroflocs and microflocs will settle but will never catch-up. The fact that the flocs are at steady-state in terms of flocculation is of importance for sediment transport modelling.

已经研究了长江口絮体种群在冬季和夏季的变化作为活（微）藻类存在的函数。藻类的影响已通过使用叶绿素 a 浓度与悬浮泥沙浓度 (CC/SSC) 的比率来表征。进行了两次完整的潮汐周期采样活动，并记录了 6 个垂直深度随时间变化的全套参数（粒度分布、颗粒浓度、盐度、速度、叶绿素 a 浓度）。发现絮体种群可以用三个粒子类别来描述。两个最具活力的类别（微絮凝体和大絮凝体）共存于水体中。尽管如此，由于 CC/SSC 与粒子尺寸之间的相关性，系统处于稳态，在夏季和冬季。这可以解释为由于它们在水柱中的分离，不同类别之间的絮凝能力有限。在冬季，在水柱顶部发现了大絮凝体，但它们的数量和大小都非常小，平均 CC/SSC 值为 13 ± 11 μg g^-1。在夏季，水柱顶部富含藻类的大絮团丰富，平均 CC/SSC 值为 21 ± 18 μg g ^-1，尤其是在涨潮时。另一方面，微絮体具有更高的密度，并且通常在水柱的更深处被发现。在高水位松弛时，大​​絮凝体和微絮凝体都会沉降，但永远不会赶上。絮凝体在絮凝方面处于稳定状态这一事实对于沉积物输运建模非常重要。