Viscoelastic and shear-thinning effects of aqueous exopolymer solution on disk and sphere settling
In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Mrokowska, M.
- Krzton-Maziopa, A.
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| Abstract |
In this study, xanthan gum is used as a model exopolymer to demonstrate potential effects of non-Newtonian properties of natural aquatic systems on settling dynamics of particles. Rheological measurements combined with settling experiments using visualization methods revealed that instantaneous velocity fluctuations and a flow pattern formed around a particle are the effects of solution viscoelasticity and shear-thinning properties and that the average settling velocity depends on the exopolymer concentration and particle size. Our study showed that in the considered conditions a disk-shaped particle settles preferably in vertical position with a negative wake behind. The understanding of these processes is essential in technology and engineering and is necessary to improve prediction accuracy of large-scale sedimentation processes and biogeochemical cycles in the ocean involving settling of minerals, marine snow, microplastics, and locomotion of microorganisms. |
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