Figure 6From: Aggregation of montmorillonite and organic matter in aqueous media containing artificial seawaterAverage hydrodynamic diameters ( dH ) of montmorillonite (8 mg/L) + HA (4.8 mg/L) suspensions in constantly stirred solutions were measured as a function of time after mixing with artificial seawater (ASW) using dynamic light spectroscopy. The pH was circumneutral. The results show a lack of aggregation in the zero salinity suspension. In addition, no time-dependent aggregation was detected in suspensions with elevated salinity (i.e., S = 1.8 and 3.6 psu). At the highest salinity value investigated (S = 7.2 psu), the colloidal particles gradually aggregated during the ~60 minutes following the ASW mixing.Back to article page