Entropy analysis of in situ particle size spectra

Entropy analysis has been used to classify in situ particle (floc) size spectra of suspended particles into groups based on similar distribution characteristics. Results revealed that the in situ spectra sorted into groups that reflected different forcing conditions (e.g. variations in turbulence). The different forcing conditions were not necessarily reflected in other commonly used distribution measures such as median floc diameter. This suggests that entropy analysis may be an effective approach for investigating the effect of changes in forcing conditions on floc size. It is hypothesized that it may be possible to derive the average shape of floc size spectra from measurement of the forcing conditions alone and subsequently derive parameters such as floc fraction, floc density, floc settling velocity and the optical properties of the water column from the average spectra.