Pollutant Transport and Mixing Zone Simulation of Sediment Density Currents
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 130, Issue 4
Abstract
Prediction of water column concentrations of suspended sediment is often necessary for environmental impact assessment of point source industrial discharges. For example, in “flow lane” or “open water” disposal, suction dredges discharge large volumes of suspended sediment into shallow water disposal locations. A sediment density current mixing model is presented here as part of the D-CORMIX expert system for hydrodynamic simulation of mixing zone behavior. This density current model extends the CORMIX decision support system to simulate continuous negatively buoyant discharges with or without suspended sediment loads on a sloping bottom with loss of suspended particles by sedimentation. Sedimentation is modeled using Stokes settling for five particle size classes. Density current width and depth, trajectory, total solids, tracer concentration, dilution, and particle size concentration are predicted. In addition, location and widths of sediment deposits, accretion rates, including particle size fractions within the spoils deposit, are predicted. The model results are in good overall agreement with available field and laboratory data.
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Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 130 • Issue 4 • April 2004
Pages: 349 - 359
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 16, 2001
Accepted: Apr 29, 2003
Published online: Mar 15, 2004
Published in print: Apr 2004
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