A Review of Public Domain Water Quality Models for Simulating Dissolved Oxygen in Rivers and Streams

Abstract

The review discusses six major public domain water quality models currently available for rivers and streams. These major models, which differ greatly in terms of processes they represent, data inputs requirements, assumptions, modeling capability, their strengths and weaknesses, could yield useful results if appropriately selected for the desired purposes. The public domain models, which are most suitable for simulating dissolved oxygen along rivers and streams, chosen in this review are simulation catchment (SIMCAT), temporal overall model for catchments (TOM-CAT), QUAL2Kw, QUAL2EU, water quality analysis simulation program (WASP7), and quality simulation along rivers (QUASAR). Each of these models is described based on a consistent set of criteria-conceptualization, processes, input data, model capability, limitations, model strengths, and its application. The results revealed that SIMCAT and TOMCAT are over-simplistic but useful to quickly assess impact of point sources. The QUAL2Kw has provision for conversion of algal death to carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) and thus more appropriate than QUAL2EU, where macrophytes play an important interaction. The extensive requirement of data in WASP7 and QUASAR is difficult to justify the time and costs required to set up these complex models. Thus, a single model could not serve all wide range of functionalities required. The choice of a model depends upon availability of time, financial cost and a specific application. This review may help to choose appropriate model for a particular water quality problem.

Especificidades E Importância De Modelos Matemáticos De Qualidade Da Água

“…O modelo WASP tem sido constantemente utilizado em conjunto com o modelo SWMM, principalmente nos Estados Unidos e América Latina (KANNEL et al, 2011).…”

“…A aplicabilidade do modelo WASP7 é ampla. Pode ser utilizado para avaliar inúmeros impactos causados a rios, córregos, lagos, lagoas, estuários e águas costeiras (KANNEL et al, 2011).…”

Monitoring and Modelling of Water Quality

“…Concise Oxford Dictionary (1990) described a model as a simplified form of a system that assists calculations and predictions of a condition of a system in a given situation. The United States Environmental Protection Agency USEPA (EPA, 2009) described water quality models as tools for simulating the movement of precipitation and pollutants from the ground surface through pipe and channel networks, storage treatment units and finally to receiving waters (Kannel et al, 2011).…”

Modeling Water Quality in Rivers: A Case Study of Beylerderesi River in Turkey

“…Cox (2003) noted that water quality modelling was a globally active area of research but that only APPLIED (Fan et al, 2009;Morley, 2007). QUAL2EU, WASP7, and QUASAR models are the most suitable for simulating dissolved oxygen concentrations along rivers and streams (Kannel et al, 2011). Most advanced surface water quality models have been created by developed countries (The U.S. EPA website).…”