Quantifying Reaeration Rates in Alpine Streams Using Deliberate Gas Tracer Experiments

Benson, Andrew; Zane, Matthew; Becker, T.; Visser, A.; Urióstegui, Stephanie H.; DeRubeis, Elizabeth; Moran, J. E.; Esser, Bradley K.; Clark, J. M.

doi:10.3390/w6041013

Cited by 33 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Several studies give methods to estimate K 1 and K 2 that provide reasonable approximations within predefined limits. However, due to the non-linearity nature of these coefficients, there is no formula for generic cases (Raymond et al, 2012;Cox, 2003;Haider et al, 2013Benson et al, 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimenting biochemical oxygen demand decay rates of Malaysian river water in a laboratory flume

Nuruzzaman¹,

Al‐Mamun

Salleh

2017

Environmental Engineering Research

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Mathematical models used to simulate the water quality and the processes of self-purification of water bodies are important tools to support effective water resource management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of organic pollution on water quality and the assimilative capacity of organic matter in the Ribeirão Vermelho stream situated in the city of Lavras in Minas Gerais. The deoxygenation rate (K 1 ) and reaeration (K 2 ) were determined and tested in three segments of the Ribeirão Vermelho over two seasons (summer and winter). The purification process simulation was performed using the StreeterPhelps model. The highest K 1 and K 2 values occurred during the winter period which was characterized by lower flows. Simulation of the dissolved oxygen profile and biological oxygen demand fitted the model well, indicating the prevalence of carbonaceous deoxygenation due to nitrification and also demonstrating the importance of natural reaeration as part of the purification process. Different response was observed during the winter, in which the high primary productivity values stood in the reaeration process stream. Biological oxygen demand values did not meet the limits recommended by the Resolution of the Ministry of the Environment 357/2005 throughout the river system and the entire study period. In conclusion, the Ribeirão Vermelho is unable to self-purify along its entire length, and water quality is influenced by effluent discharge which intensifies degradation.Keywords: effluent release, Streeter Phelps models, water quality.Coeficiente de desoxigenação, reaeração e potencial de auto purificação de um ribeirão urbano RESUMOOs modelos matemáticos utilizados para simular a qualidade da água e o processo de autodepuração de corpos d'água são importantes ferramentas de auxílio à gestão dos recursos hídricos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto da poluição orgânica na qualidade da água e a capacidade de assimilação da matéria orgânica no Ribeirão Vermelho. Para essa finalidade, foi desenvolvido e testados os coeficientes de desoxigenação (K 1 ) e reaeração (K 2 ), em três trechos e em dois períodos distintos (verão e inverno). Os maiores valores de K 1 e K 2 foram obtidos durante o inverno, onde foram registrados as menores vazões. A simulação do processo de autodepuração foi realizada com o uso do modelo de Streeter-Phelps. A simulação do perfil de OD e DBO no verão apresentou calibração aceitável, tendo em vista a otimização dos coeficientes, evidenciando a prevalência da desoxigenação por demanda carbonácea sobre a nitrificação e a importância da reaeração natural no processo de autodepuração. Comportamento diferente foi observado no inverno, no qual os altos valores de produtividades sobressaíram no processo de reaeração no ribeirão. Apenas o parâmetro demanda bioquímica de oxigênio não respeitou os limites preconizados pela Resolução do Ministério do Meio Ambiente 357/2005, tendo ficado em toda a extensão do rio e, em ambos períodos, fora da regulamentação. Des...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimenting biochemical oxygen demand decay rates of Malaysian river water in a laboratory flume

Nuruzzaman¹,

Al‐Mamun

Salleh

2017

Environmental Engineering Research

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“…Furthermore, the GEMS could be used for introduced tracer studies to measure groundwater flow, glacial meltwater transport, and/or stream rearation (Benson et al, 2014;Visser et al, 2013). A tracer such as Xe would be added to the water and the GEMS would be installed downstream of the addition site.…”

Section: A6 Other Potential Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insight into chemical, biological, and physical processes in coastal waters from dissolved oxygen and inert gas tracers

Manning¹

2017

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In this thesis, I use coastal measurements of dissolved O 2 and inert gases to provide insight into the chemical, biological, and physical processes that impact the oceanic cycles of carbon and dissolved gases. Dissolved O 2 concentration and triple isotopic composition trace net and gross biological productivity. The saturation states of inert gases trace physical processes, such as air-water gas exchange, temperature change, and mixing, that affect all gases.First, I developed a field-deployable system that measures Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe gas ratios in water. It has precision and accuracy of 1 % or better, enables near-continuous measurements, and has much lower cost compared to existing laboratory-based methods. The system will increase the scientific community's access to use dissolved noble gases as environmental tracers.Second, I measured O 2 and five noble gases during a cruise in Monterey Bay, California. I developed a vertical model and found that accurately parameterizing bubble-mediated gas exchange was necessary to accurately simulate the He and Ne measurements. I present the first comparison of multiple gas tracer, incubation, and sediment trap-based productivity estimates in the coastal ocean. Net community production estimated from 15 NO -3 uptake and O 2 /Ar gave equivalent results at steady state. Underway O 2 /Ar measurements revealed submesoscale variability that was not apparent from daily incubations.Third, I quantified productivity by O 2 mass balance and air-water gas exchange by dual tracer ( 3 He/SF 6 ) release during ice melt in the Bras d'Or Lakes, a Canadian estuary. The gas transfer velocity at >90 % ice cover was 6 % of the rate for nearly ice-free conditions. Rates of volumetric gross primary production were similar when the estuary was completely ice-covered and ice-free, and the ecosystem was on average net autotrophic during ice melt and net heterotrophic following ice melt. I present a method for incorporating the isotopic composition of H 2 O into the O 2 isotope-based productivity calculations, which increases the estimated gross primary production in this study by 46-97 %.In summary, I describe a new noble gas analysis system and apply O 2 and inert gas observations in new ways to study chemical, biological, and physical processes in coastal waters.

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“…Three further USA case studies [17][18][19] deploy applied tracers alongside ambient tracers. Cowie et al [17] use a two-tier investigative approach in a flooded, abandoned, underground hard-rock mine system (USA).…”

Section: Investigations Using Natural Tracers In Combination With Appmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Benson et al [18] use injected, applied gas tracers (SF6 and Xe) as nonpolar, partitioning tracers for the air-water interface in streams to monitor gas loss downstream and oxygen reaeration (KDO or K2, mass transfer coefficients). The link with environmental tracing is twofold, both because these two tracer gases are already present in the environment sourced from the atmosphere (albeit at very low ambient, dissolved concentrations which allows significant enhancement of dissolved concentrations for tracing), and because the loss rate for these gases could be used also for interpretation of 222 Rn measurements in the streams to study then groundwater-surface water interactions.…”

Section: Investigations Using Natural Tracers In Combination With Appmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Tracers

Elliot

2014

Water

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Environmental tracers continue to provide an important tool for understanding the source, flow and mixing dynamics of water resource systems through their imprint on the system or their sensitivity to alteration within it. However, 60 years or so after the first isotopic tracer studies were applied to hydrology, the use of isotopes and other environmental tracers are still not routinely necessarily applied in hydrogeological and water resources investigations where appropriate. There is therefore a continuing need to promote their use for developing sustainable management policies for the protection of water resources and the aquatic environment. This Special Issue focuses on the robustness or fitness-for-purpose of the application and use of environmental tracers in addressing problems and opportunities scientifically, to promote their wider use and to address substantive issues of vulnerability, sustainability, and uncertainty in (ground)water resources systems and their management.

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Quantifying Reaeration Rates in Alpine Streams Using Deliberate Gas Tracer Experiments

Abstract: Gas exchange across the air-water interface is a critical process that maintains adequate dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water column to support life. Oxygen reaeration rates can be accurately measured using deliberate gas tracers, like sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6

Cited by 33 publications

References 22 publications

Experimenting biochemical oxygen demand decay rates of Malaysian river water in a laboratory flume

Experimenting biochemical oxygen demand decay rates of Malaysian river water in a laboratory flume

Insight into chemical, biological, and physical processes in coastal waters from dissolved oxygen and inert gas tracers

Environmental Tracers

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