Author(s): M. A. Chester; I. Guymer; R. Freestone
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: One of the principal water quality problems in the Humber estuary is the low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels that occur in the lower part of the tidal Ouse during the summer months. The Environment Agency (EA) reported that this zone of deoxygenation is significant in preventing the passage of migratory fish, especially juveniles, and is responsible for the low occurrences of salmon and sea trout. The Humber Management Group and sub groups, include representatives from the North East, Midland and Anglian EA regions, Associated British Ports (ABP), The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), Department of the Environment (DOE), local authorities and interested academics. They have responsibility for the environmental management and monitoring of The Humber system and implemented a range of tools, based on the Water Research Centre (WRc) QUESTS one and two dimensional software, to assist with water quality management. Simulations of the oxygen balance in the Humber estuary, in particular the tidal Ouse, have highlighted a disagreement between the observed and predicted oxygen levels. Previous studies have shown that high concentrations of suspended sediment can be developed during a tidal cycle and have an effect on the oxygen demand. The software is capable of relating an oxygen demand to the suspended sediment concentration but, at present, limited information on this relationship is available. A two year investigation into the suspended sediment oxygen demand (SSOD) on the tidal Ouse, funded by the EA, began in October 1995. This paper outlines the problems associated with modelling the oxygen balance in the tidal Ouse and the methods used to assess the SSOD.
Year: 1997