FATE AND TRANSPORT OF TRACE METALS IN A
 
SMALL RIVER SYSTEM

Lee, Young-Soo

Environmental Engineering Research 2000;5(3): 135-142.

FATE AND TRANSPORT OF TRACE METALS IN A SMALL RIVER SYSTEM

Young-Soo Lee^†

Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 139-701, Korea

Corresponding Author: Young-Soo Lee ,

Received: April 15, 2000; Accepted: September 15, 2000.

ABSTRACT

A steady state model was developed that describes the fate of trace metals in a shallow river system. The computational framework of the stream quality model QUAL2EU was modified for the development of the model. Settling and resuspension of solids were defined through empirical equations relating a net sediment transport rate to average stream velocity. Adsorption and desorption kinetics were simulated based on inverse relationships formulated between suspended solids and partition coefficients. The model was successfully calibrated to two independent water quality surveys and validation was indicated from analysis of a third survey. The results of the statistical evaluations and spatial plots depicting predicted and observed concentrations of trace metals along the river generated by the developed model showed the developed model is suitable for use in the waste load allocation process in a shallow river system.