Particle settling from constant-flux surface gravity currents and a near-stationary particle-bearing layer

As a model of the flow of muddy rivers into the ocean, we examine the settling of particles within and below a constant-flux, particle-bearing surface gravity current. A significant volume flux of interstitial fluid descends with the particles below the current. This results in a deceleration of the current and in collective settling speeds below the current that can be orders of magnitude larger than the Stokes settling speed of individual particles.