Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Suspended Particulate Matter in Water Environments: A Review

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is an indispensable component of water environments. Its fate and transport involve various physical and biogeochemical cycles. This paper provides a comprehensive review of SPM dynamics by integrating insights from biogeochemical processes, spatiotemporal observation techniques, and numerical modeling approaches. It also explores methods for diagnosing SPM-mediated biogeochemical processes, such as the flocculation kinetics test and organic matter composition analysis. Advances in remote sensing, in situ monitoring, and high-resolution retrieval algorithms are discussed, highlighting their significance in detecting and quantifying SPM concentrations across varying spatial and temporal scales. Furthermore, this review examines integrated models that incorporate population balance equations on the basis of flocculation kinetics into multi-dimensional sediment transport models. The results from this study provide valuable insights into SPM dynamics, ultimately enhancing our knowledge of SPM behavior and transport in water environments. However, uncertainties remain due to limited field data on flocculation kinetics and the need for parameter optimization in numerical models. Addressing these gaps through enhanced fieldwork and model refinement will significantly improve our ability to predict and manage SPM dynamics, which is critical for sustainable aquatic ecosystem management in an era of rapid environmental change.