Author(s): Sebnem Elci; Sinem Elif Simsek
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Abstract: This study presents an approach for the assessment of the life-long impact of submersed contaminated bottom sediments in projected reservoirs on surface water quality. The sediment-water interaction model developed during this study consists of three main layers: water column which can be specified as well mixed or stratified according to the temperature profile in the vertical column, a mixed sediment layer and a stratified deep sediments layer. In the model, mass balance equations for contaminants are solved for the water column and the mixed sediment layer. Mass balance for the solids is solved according to the steady state mass balance for mixed sediment layer considering settling, resuspension and burial processes between the layers. Advection-diffusion decay equations are used to model contaminant concentration in the deep sediments layer. This study further presents the application of the model to a projected reservoir, ? aml? Reservoir in Izmir, Turkey. The results of the model utilized to predict contaminant concentration in the water column originating from the bottom sediments indicated that heavy metal concentrations (copper, zinc, chromium, nickel, and lead) in the water layer reached an equilibrium concentration in ten years. Projected concentrations are presented for the mixed and stratified water conditions. Application of the model to the stratified water conditions indicates that, stratified layer behaves as a barrier for the transport of the metals to the upper column resulting in less projected contaminant concentrations in the water column in ten years.
Year: 2012