Numerical Modelling of Heavy Metal Dynamics in a River‐Lagoon System

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a two-dimensional water quality model that solves hydrodynamic equations tied to transport equations with reactions mechanisms inherent in the processes. This enables us to perform an accurate assessment of the pollution in a coastal ecosystem. The model was developed with data drawn from the ecosystem found in Mexico’s southeast state of Tabasco. The coastal ecosystem consists of the interaction of El Yucateco lagoon with Chicozapote and Tonalá rivers that connect the lagoon with the Gulf of Mexico. The results of pollutants transport simulation in the coastal ecosystem are presented, focusing on toxic parameters for two hydrodynamic scenarios: wet and dry seasons. As it is of interest in the zone, the transport of four metals is studied: Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, and Lead. In order to address these objectives, a self-posed mathematical problem is solved numerically, which is based on the measured data. The performed simulations show how to characterise metals transport with an acceptable accuracy, agreeing well with measured data in total concentrations in four control points along the water body. Although for the accurate implementation of the hydrodynamic-based water quality model herein presented boundary (geometry, tides, wind, etc.) and initial (concentrations measurements) conditions are required, it poses an excellent option when the distribution of solutes with high accuracy is required, easing environmental, economic, and social management of coastal ecosystems. It ought to be remarked that this constitutes a robust differential equation-based water quality model for the transport of heavy metals. Models with these characteristics are not common to be found elsewhere.

Estimation of Mg, Cd, and Ni levels in urban waterfront using one-dimensional transport model

“…Previous studies have also reported good fits for measured data for Cd in river water (Wu et al, 2005;Wu, 2008;Kashefipour and Roshanfekr, 2012). In a related study, Torres-Bejarano et al (2019) reported high prediction of Cd, Pb, and Ni in river water using two-dimensional water quality model they developed numerically.…”

Hydrodynamic-Based Numerical Assessment of Flood Risk of Tamuín City, Mexico, by Tampaón River: A Forecast Considering Climate Change

“…Barrios-Piña et al [68] used the code to probe a new turbulence model for flow through vegetation. On the other side, Torres-Bejarano et al [69] recently used it to assess pollution distribution in an estuarine ecosystem. Turbulence models attached to the hydrodynamic model were tested by Rodriguez-Cuevas et al [70], where several turbulence models were coded to predict wakes around conic islands, and the results showed good agreement with the measurements experiments.…”

“…In this work, we performed an assessment of the flooding risk of Tamuín city, through a parallel self-made hydrodynamic model previously validated in diverse studies [66][67][68][69][70] and carefully calibrated with field measurements, with the idea of having full control of processes, methods and precision provided by owning the code. Streamflow of Tampaón River in wet and dry seasons was simulated according to historical records.…”

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

“…It is important to note that some other models have been created specifically for research purposes. Examples include numerical modeling of heavy metals 4 , research on water flows through vegetation 5 , research on turbulence models 6 , fresh water plumes 7,8 in river-sea interaction 9 , and numerical assessment of flood risk 10 . The ability to introduce toxic wastes to waters without negatively affecting human health or ecosystems is known as assimilation capacity, and it is one of many practical and affordable dissolved for water quality management.…”