Investigation of Material Transport and Load in Tidal Rivers

Abstract

The transport of suspended particulate matter and of heavy metals in tidal rivers is of both ecological and economic relevance. But temporal variabilities and spatial heterogeneities considerably complicate its quantitative treatment by numerical simulation and the acquisition of representative field data for systematic investigations. As a contribution to the potential solution of this problem, a methodology has been developed at the GKSS Research Centre which combines theoretical and experimental techniques in an effective way. A novel measuring system on board a ship allows the fast determination of hydrographie parameters, and water samples are taken in parallel from different depths. Various analytical techniques are applied for quantitative trace-element detection. The experimental data are used as boundary conditions in hydrodynamic and transport model calculations. In the paper, the experimental equipment, techniques, and numerical models are described. Some results of first promising investigations are presented: Lateral distribution of water transport, tidal variation of vertical turbidity profiles, settling velocities, cumulative transp.ort of suspended matter and heavy metals, dissolved and particulate heavy-metal contents and, in part, their tidal variations.

Simulation and modelling of heavy metals and water quality parameters in the river

“…Several studies have been conducted on the distribution, pollution factors, and treatment options of heavy metal pollution in rivers. Various indicators, such as the enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index 16 , have been used to evaluate the spatial distribution of heavy metals in sediments and the state of heavy metal contamination. In addition, potential sources of heavy metals were investigated and identified.…”

Simulation and modelling of heavy metals and water quality parameters in the river

“…Several research on the distribution, contaminating factors, and treatment options of heavy metal contamination of rivers have been conducted. Using several indicators, such as the enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index 16 , evaluated the spatial distribution of heavy metals in sediments and the condition of heavy metal contamination. Additionally, they examined and identified the potential sources of heavy metals.…”

“…Additionally, they examined and identified the potential sources of heavy metals. The results of earlier research in the field of water quality modeling, such as those by Fanger et al, 16,17,18 were useful for understanding the dynamics of the transport of contaminants such heavy metals in rivers. Many investigations on the behavior and transport of these contaminants in rivers using hydrological models have been carried out in the context of lowering the concentration of heavy metals.…”

Saltwater Intrusion Induced by a Complete Neap Tide and Its Effect on Nutrients Variation in the Estuary of Pearl River, China

“…An alternative approach is to work from a fixed position to collect a suite of samples over a wide salinity range. Fixed-station sampling has been used successfully, even though it requires more time (Fanger et al, 1986;Liss and Spencer, 1970). The work presented here describes the results from combining axial survey and fixed-station sampling over a complete semidiurnal neap tide in Pearl River Estuary.…”