wAbstract
@This paper presents an efficient and effective modeling approach
to estimation of nitrogen retention in streams and rivers. The
approach involves an extension of a newly developed longitudinal
solute transport model, variable residence time (VART), by incorporating
a first-order nitrogen reaction term. Parameters involved in the
VART model are estimated using monthly mean flow and water quality
data obtained through both field measurements and watershed modeling
using the Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran model. It is found
that there is a strong correlation between nitrate-nitrogen removal
rate and water temperature. In addition, low nitrate-nitrogen
concentrations commonly occur when total organic carbon (TOC)
and dissolved oxygen (DO) are also low, and high nitrogen concentrations
correspond to high DO and TOC, indicating that denitrification
is the primary biogeochemical process controlling nitrogen removal
in natural rivers. The new approach is demonstrated through the
computation of nitrogen removal in the Amite River, LA, USA. Functional
relationships between the nitrate-nitrogen removal rate and water
temperature are established for the Amite River. Monthly mean
nitrate-nitrogen concentrations along the river are computed using
the extended VART model, and computed nitrogen concentrations
fit observed ones very well. The estimated annual nitrate-nitrogen
removal in the Amite River is 27.4 tons or 15.5 of total nitrate-nitrogen
transported annually through the Amite River.
Keywords: Denitrification; Hyporheic exchange; Nitrogen retention;
River; VART modelx
1. Introduction
2. Variable residence time (VART) model for nitrogen retention
3. Parameter estimation
@3.1. Flow and water quality data
@3.2. HSPF model
@3.3. Estimation of physical parameters in VART model
@3.4. Estimation of nitrogen decay rate (k)
4. Computation of nitrogen retention in the Amite River
5. Summary and conclusions
Acknowledgment
References