Estimating metal loading into the sea from tidal rivers using total suspended solids and water quality models

Abstract

Metals are mainly transported with suspended sediments in tidal rivers, and it is difficult to describe the transformation process of metals. Freely dissolved metals and suspended metals (including acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual metals) were separately analyzed according to a sequential extraction scheme. The regression of the observed suspended metals and total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations allowed us to couple the two pollutant types. TSS is a highly dynamic parameter, and a model can be developed to simulate TSS transport. Thus, a method including the following five steps was proposed to estimate the loadings of metals entering the sea using TSS concentrations and water quality models: (1) collecting and observing basic information on the hydrological conditions, pollution sources, and water quality of the studied river; (2) obtaining a regression model between the suspended metals and TSS and analyzing the potential of establishing a suspended metal flux model; (3) introducing a model describing the fluxes of water-soluble metals into the sea; ( 4) establishing a calculation model to determine the fluxes of suspended metals into the sea; and (5) characterizing the fluxes of metals into the sea. The method was programmed, and metal concentrations and fluxes could be characterized quickly when the basic river data were sufficient. In addition, if regional development scenarios could be set, metal loadings in all scenarios could be predicted through the procedure developed herein, and some effective suggestions on regional sustainable development might be proposed for decision makers.