Application of a Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Model for Inland Surface Water Systems

Abstract

This chapter introduces basic concepts, properties, and principles of different processes in inland surface water and analytical methodologies. The fundamentals of surface water hydrodynamics, including water properties, hydrodynamic processes, Cartesian coordinatebased governing equations, and boundary and initial conditions were reviewed. The fate and transport of contaminants in surface water were introduced. Based on aforementioned theory and principles, two hydrodynamic-water quality models were developed for studying a lake and a river, respectively. A stratified 3D model was used to investigate the circulation and E. coli transport in the nearshore region of Lake Michigan. The modeling results show that stratified phenomenon exists in the near region, and a 3D model is necessary even though a previous 2D model works well for the shallow water environment. A 2D depth-averaged water quality model was developed to estimate the fate and transport of four contaminants in the San Joaquin River of California. The modeling results indicate that it took 20 days for these contaminants to transport from the upstream to the downstream in the research domain. These models can be effectively used for inland surface water restoration and management.

Review of Watershed-Scale Water Quality and Nonpoint Source Pollution Models

“…The data required for these models are commonly large. Complex models consider the estimation of runoff, soil erosion, sediment and pollutant loading based on theoretical consideration of mass, momentum, and energy [ 94 ]. Complex models can not only address a wide range of watershed-scale hydrology and water quality issues, that include short- and long-term simulations of runoff, sediment, and pollutant loads, but also supply different algorithm options for various physical processes to more accurately describe the processes mathematically.…”

Overview of water quality modeling

“…Investigative water quality models are both mathematical expressions and expert scientific judgment, which comprise process-based (mechanistic) and data-based (statistical) models. They are effective resources for assessing and predicting pollutant transport (Q. G. Wang et al, 2009;Bai et al, 2011,;Huang et al, 2012), identifying pollution, fate, and behavior of pollutants (Q. G. Wang et al, 2009), simulating and forecasting complex processes in water ecosystems (Liu, 2018), recognizing the spatial and temporal distribution of pollutants in the water, and intensifying decisions regarding how water quality will be altered (Q. Wang et al, 2013).…”

“…The quality of water has been evaluated and modeled with its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The relations between the processes related to these characteristics are necessarily multifaceted, and water system managers must pursue to develop a worthy understanding of the main factors and processes that affect the water quality of each local water resource they are responsible for if they are to make correct or improved management decisions (Liu, 2018). The concentrations and distribution of contaminants are influenced by the inactivation of contaminants and some dynamic processes, including diffusion, dispersion, and advection.…”

“…The concentrations and distribution of contaminants are influenced by the inactivation of contaminants and some dynamic processes, including diffusion, dispersion, and advection. These processes are closely related to the water flow characteristics, influent and effluent entering and leaving, respectively, the waterbody, wind stress, and temperature stratification (Liu, 2018). Hence, for a better understanding of how the environment and water systems are polluted and to make fruitful decisions and directions, concrete knowledge derived from water quality modeling is significant.…”

“…Thus, mathematical water quality modeling coupled with observations for verification and calibration is essential in such cases. Integrated models such as hydrodynamic and water quality models have been extensively developed and used (Liu, 2018) for assessing lakes, rivers, reservoirs, ponds, estuaries, and coastal water in many aspects.…”