Investigation of Behavior and Transport of Heavy Metals by Numerical Modelling

Abstract

In recent years, the importance of investigation of behavior and transportation of heavy metals in water systems that are dangerous for human health with toxic characteristics has been increasing and hence work on developing new methods and models are undertaken. The aim of this study is to implement a heavy metal model in a three -dimensional numerical model, ECOMSED in order to investigate the behavior and transportation of heavy metals. ECOMSED is capable of predicting flow circulation, salt and non-cohesive sediment transportation, deposition and re-suspension with hydrodynamic and sediment modules. In the heavy metal model adopted, the behavior of heavy metals was investigated by taking into consideration the effect of partition coefficient (k d ) on particulate and dissolved heavy metal concentrations. The model is set up for a simple open channel test case and the effect of flow structure, partition coefficient, concentration of suspended sediment and bed load on particulate and dissolved heavy metal concentrations are investigated. This study is an attempt in modeling transportation of heavy metals and the results found to be encouraging for this initial state.