Fundamental response of pore-water pressure to microfabric and permeability characteristics: Eckernforde Bay

Ambient and dynamic in situ pore pressures were measured, and microfabric was examined in fine-grained, shallow-water sediment in Eckernforde Bay, Germany. In situ permeabilities were calculated from piezometer data. Pore-water pressure decay times in sediments 0.5-1.0 m subbottom are indicative of clayey materials. Shallower sediments, although of similar classical grain size as the deeper sediments, have quicker decay times typical of silly marine sediment. Pore pressure response is a function of the microfabric, porometry, and sediment permeability. Aggregates (composed of fine-grained material, biota, and extracellular polymers) produce large pores and complex microstructure, resulting in effective permeabilities characteristic of silts.