Turbulent Flow in Wetlands with Submerged and Floating Vegetation

Abstract

Turbulent Flow in wetlands with submerged and floating aquatic plants was studied by applying Boit’s poroelastic theory to turbulent flow. The velocity distribution formulas were described by solving the modified Bessel equations. The effects of plant porosity and turbulent coefficient on the velocity distribution, shear stress distribution and energy relations were analytically derived. Several illustrative cases were given to show the details of the applications. The results of the study can help water resources, environmental and ecological engineers design and manage surface water flows in natural and constructed wetlands.