Incorporating Both Physical and Kinetic Limitations in Quantifying Dissolved Oxygen Flux to Aquatic Sediments
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 12
Abstract
Traditionally, dissolved oxygen (DO) fluxes have been calculated using the thin-film theory with DO microstructure data in systems characterized by fine sediments and low velocities. However, recent experimental evidence of fluctuating DO concentrations near the sediment-water interface suggests that turbulence and coherent motions control the mass transfer, and the surface renewal theory gives a more mechanistic model for quantifying fluxes. Both models involve quantifying the mass transfer coefficient and the relevant concentration difference . This study compared several empirical models for quantifying based on both thin-film and surface renewal theories, as well as presents a new method for quantifying (dynamic approach) that is consistent with the observed DO concentration fluctuations near the interface. Data were used from a series of flume experiments that includes both physical and kinetic uptake limitations of the flux. Results indicated that methods for quantifying and using the surface renewal theory better estimated the DO flux across a range of fluid-flow conditions.
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Acknowledgments
The manuscript was prepared while B. L. O’Connor held a National Research Council (NRC) Research Associateship Award at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Reston, Virginia. Funding was provided by the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) and National Research programs of the USGS, as well as the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics (NCED), a Science and Technology Center funded by the Office of Integrative Activities of the National Science Foundation (under Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDEAR-0120914).UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 12 • December 2009
Pages: 1304 - 1314
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 18, 2008
Accepted: Apr 5, 2009
Published online: Apr 22, 2009
Published in print: Dec 2009
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