An Approach to the Study of Transverse Mixing in Streams

Abstract

FOREWORDThe mixing of pollutants in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs because of turbulence and spatial non-uniformities in the velocity field considerably influences the fate of these materials . Mixing is an important factor when controlling water quality independently , whether it be a question of the deoxygenation, thermal pollution, contamination by heavy metals , or eutrophication -issues that have been central research themes of the Resources and Environment Area at IIASA over the past few years. This article considers transverse mixing in rivers, a phenomenon of great importance for wide rivers. A new approach is presented and tested on the basis of a wide range of experiments, from laboratory flumes to large natural rivers such as the Danube. JANUSZ KINDLER Chairman Resources and Environment Area AN APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF TRANSVERSE MIXING IN STREAMS