Rapid Calculation of Oxygen in Streams: Approximate Delta Method
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 3
Abstract
The “approximate delta method” is a simple procedure for simultaneous calculation of the stream reaeration coefficient, primary production rate, and respiration rate from a single-station stream diurnal profile of dissolved oxygen (DO). It approximates the exact graphs of results for the “delta method” reported in 1991 by Chapra and Di Toro by means of simple logistic curve-fitting approximations. The necessity of reading graphs or of obtaining numerical solutions is thereby avoided, so making it suitable for inclusion in a decision support system, particularly for streams reaeration coefficients less than and for moderate photoperiods . Worked examples are given for streams in the USA and in New Zealand. Results are used to show that the constellation of parameters for the three fundamental processes is much more important than their individual values in calculating diurnal DO profiles. Independent measurement of the reaeration coefficient enhances the utility of the method, by enabling separate calculation of production and respiration rates.
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Acknowledgments
Development work was partly funded through the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (Contract No. C01X0307). Funding for testing and incorporation of the ADM into the WAIORA Low Flow Decision Support System was jointly provided the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment (Sustainable Management Fund, Project No. 2204) and the Auckland Regional Council. Other Regional Councils have also funded the collection of testing data. One of the writers (S.C.) received partial support from NIWA’s Visiting Scientist Program. Two anonymous referees gave helpful comments.
References
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© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 3, 2003
Accepted: Mar 15, 2004
Published online: Mar 1, 2005
Published in print: Mar 2005
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