A model based on dimensional analysis for prediction of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations at the river station Ižkovce, Slovakia

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of this paper is to develop a model for pollutant concentration prediction in a stream. The developed model that determines nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in a river is based on a dimensional analysis. Application of dimensional analysis to water quality modelling is presented, pointing out possibilities of applying this methodology in water quality research. We investigate how dimensional analysis can be applied to water quality modelling and which benefits it can bring to researchers in this area. For modelling water quality in a water stream it is essential to know the parameters that influence water quality. The relevant parameters are flow of water in the river (discharge), its catchment area, velocity of water in the stream, temperature of water, temperature of air and measured concentrations of the pollutant -nitrogen and phosphorus. A sensitivity analysis shows that the concentration of pollutant in water stream is sensitive to changes in both water and air temperatures. The model performs well when average values are used; the prediction error increases when the single concentration values are considered. The model was developed, calibrated and evaluated using measured data from the river station Ižkovce, River Laborec in eastern Slovakia.

Changes in Nutrient Concentrations of Two Streams in Western Lithuania with Focus on Shrinkage of Agriculture and Effect of Climate, Drainage Runoff and Soil Factors

“…Certain decreases in nutrient concentrations of rivers flowing via agricultural landscapes have been found in recent years in other European countries: In Sweden [43,44], Latvia [45] and Slovakia [46]. These decreases are most evident in areas where agricultural activities and use of fertilizers have decreased [47].…”

Determination of pollutant concentrations in the Krasny Brod River profile based on the Buckingham theorem

“…It has been used in many experimental studies-description of the capillary rise of liquids in porous media [6], prediction of friction losses in irrigation facilities [7], calculation of emissions produced in wood combustion [8], formation and prediction of nitrogen oxides in indoor environment [9,10], calculation of nitrogen concentration in streams [11,12]. In the last century, dimensional theory has been profoundly investigated: its highest achievement is the Buckingham theorem (or pi-theorem, π theorem), which states that any equation modeling a physical problem can be rearranged in terms of dimensionless ratios, thus reducing the number of variables to be handled, and especially enriching the inner physical knowledge of the studied phenomenon [8][9][10][11]13].…”

Modeling the Profit from Hydropower Plant Energy Generation using Dimensional Analysis

“…Employing this method, Zeleňáková and Čarnogurská [34] describe the prediction of concentrated pollutants in the water flow. Zeleňáková and Čarnogurská [35] and Zeleňáková et al [36] have used dimensional analysis for the prediction of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the Laborec water flow in Slovakia.…”