Estimation of Transport Trajectory and Residence Time in Large River–Lake Systems: Application to Poyang Lake (China) Using a Combined Model Approach

Abstract

Abstract:The biochemical processes and associated water quality in many lakes mainly depend on their transport behaviors. Most existing methodologies for investigating transport behaviors are based on physically based numerical models. The pollutant transport trajectory and residence time of Poyang Lake are thought to have important implications for the steadily deteriorating water quality and the associated rapid environmental changes during the flood period. This study used a hydrodynamic model (MIKE 21) in conjunction with transport and particle-tracking sub-models to provide comprehensive investigation of transport behaviors in Poyang Lake. Model simulations reveal that the lake's prevailing water flow patterns cause a unique transport trajectory that primarily develops from the catchment river mouths to the downstream area along the lake's main flow channels, similar to a river-transport behavior. Particle tracking results show that the mean residence time of the lake is 89 days during July-September. The effect of the Yangtze River (the effluent of the lake) on the residence time is stronger than that of the catchment river inflows. The current study represents a first attempt to use a combined model approach to provide insights into the transport behaviors for a large river-lake system, given proposals to manage the pollutant inputs both directly to the lake and catchment rivers. OPEN ACCESSWater 2015, 7 5204

Estimation of Residence Time and Transport Trajectory in Tieshangang Bay, China

“…It can also examine the water residence and travel time of Tieshangang Bay. The MIKE 21 model has already been successfully applied in exploring different water bodies, such as Poyang Lake (China) [21], Vistula Lagoon (Poland and Russia) [22], the Gulf of Kachchh (India) [23], Alberni Inlet (Canada) [24], and Chilika Lagoon (India) [25]. Hence, we only give a brief description of the model here.…”

“…We used the hydrodynamic module to obtain flow features of Tieshangang Bay. The particle tracking module was applied to track the spatial distributions of water particles, and thus to provide the transport trajectory using the Lagrangian random-walk technique [20,21]. It can also examine the water residence and travel time of Tieshangang Bay.…”

“…The time step size was calculated as 1800 s. Figure 8 and Figure 9 illustrate the simulation results of the residence time for Tieshangang Bay in summer and winter seasons, respectively. The initial percentage of conservative particles was set to 100% (i.e., ε = N (t)/N (0) = 1) [21], and the percentage of the particles remaining in the bay (i.e., ε = N (t)/N (0)) was recorded, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 illustrates the results of residence time for the bay in summer for 12-year simulations (2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015).…”

Preliminary Numerical Analysis of the Efficiency of a Central Lake Reservoir in Enhancing the Flood and Drought Resistance of Dongting Lake

“…The hydrodynamic model in the MIKE21 FM is based on a flexible mesh approach. This model has been developed for applications within rivers, lakes, and coastal estuarine environments in China, such as Poyang Lake [39], Xiangjiang River [40], and Tieshan Bay [41]. The model is based on the solution of the incompressible Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations, which are subject to the assumptions of Boussinesq and hydrostatic pressure [42].…”

Simulating the Impacts of an Upstream Dam on Pollutant Transport: A Case Study on the Xiangjiang River, China

“…Zhang et al (2011) explored water pollution incidents using a spatio-temporal simulation system, based on system dynamic and geographic information systems (GIS) models applied to the Songhua River, China [2]. In addition to the aforementioned studies, water quality models also have the potential to be applied in the study of water pollution incidents [8,9]. In particular, Cox (2003) reviewed a number of water quality models, especially QUAL2E (The Enhanced Stream Water Quality Model), MIKE-11, SIMCAT (SIMulation of CATchments), TOMCAT, ISIS, and QUASAR (Quality simulation along river systems), for estimating dissolved oxygen (DO) transportation in lowland rivers, and concluded that a model of medium complexity might be applicable for examining water quality issues [6].…”