Intermediate nepheloid layer

Intermediate nepheloid layer and quantitative significance of denitrification in remineralization... 

Naqvi, S.W.A., Kumar, M.D., Narvekar, P.V., de Sousa, S.N., George, M.D. and D Silva, C. (1993) An intermediate nepheloid layer associated with high microbial metabolic rates and denitrification in the Northwest Indian ocean. Journal of Geophysical Research, 98, 16469-16479. 

Modes of resuspension interactively depend on the concentration profile. The vertical structure of concentration is conveniently subdivided into four zones (Fig. 27.11). In the upper zone the suspension layer (DSL) is dilute, and is characterized by Newtonian flow behavior. The lower zone is occupied by the benthic nepheloid layer (BNL), which contains fluid mud. In the benthic suspension layer (BSL), the concentration is intermediate between DSL and BNL. The suspension in BSL is non-Newtonian but the concentration is not high enough for setthng to be hindered. Finally, at the bottom a consolidating bed (CB) occurs. It possesses an effective stress but is soft enough (i.e., not fully consolidated) for the sediment to be susceptible to resuspension when wave forcing is sufficiently strong. 

---