Effect of Rain on Surface Reaeration
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 110, Issue 1
Abstract
Any mechanism which creates turbulence at or near a water surface will tend to increase the rate of oxygen transfer across the surface. Mechanical mixing, wind action, and surface waves are examples of such mechanisms. On this basis, it seems apparent that rain falling on a body of water is another mechanism for the creation of surface turbulence. This phenomenon was examined by conducting 108 laboratory experiments. Test variables were rainfall rate, raindrop diameter and impact velocity, rotational velocity of a mixing impeller, and collector tank depth. From these experiments it was determined that the oxygen transfer coefficient is directly proportional to the power of the rainfall. It is concluded that heavy rainfalls over an extended period of time may contribute significantly to the overall oxygen balance in a body of water.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 110 • Issue 1 • February 1984
Pages: 1 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 ASCE.
History
Published online: Feb 1, 1984
Published in print: Feb 1984
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